How to Make a Tape for Etching Metal
Etching metal for small jewelry or sculpture creates the outline for a cutout design or a pattern on the surface of the metal. Either process is easily done using an ink jet printer along with a special paper called image transfer film. This particular film is designed to accept the black ink from an ink jet printer and creates a resist for the acid etching. Either a hand drawn or computer generated design works to create the etching tape.
Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Computer generated image
- Press-n-Peel image transfer film
- Ink Jet Printer
- Cast iron skillet
- Stove
- 12 to 20 gauge metal
- Hot pad
- Clean cloth
Instructions
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1
Place the Press-n-Peel image transfer film in the paper carriage of the printer. Make sure to turn the paper the appropriate direction for printing on your particular printer.
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2
Select the highest grade print quality in your selected computer program and select print.
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3
Place a cast iron skillet on the stove. Turn on the burner. Place the metal sheet in the cast iron skillet. Heat the metal until it is 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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4
Center the transfer film on the metal. Wrap your finger with a clean cloth to protect it from the heat. Rub the surface of the transfer film to transfer the etching design to the metal.
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5
Remove the metal from the cast iron skillet when the image appears dark. Carefully peel the image transfer film from the surface of the metal.
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Tips & Warnings
Fill in any void areas of the design with a black permanent marker. Use ferric chloride solution to etch the metal after the design is transferred.
