Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. In modern manufacturing, other chemicals may be used on other types of material. As a method of printmaking, it is, along with engraving, the most important technique for old master prints, and remains in wide use today. In a number of modern variants such as microfabrication etching and photochemical milling it is a crucial technique in much modern technology, including circuit boards.
In traditional pure etching, a metal (usually copper, zinc or steel) plate is covered with a waxy ground which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches off the ground with a pointed etching needle where he or she wants a line to appear in the finished piece, so exposing the bare metal. The plate is then dipped in a bath of acid, technically called the mordant (French for "biting") or etchant, or has acid washed over it. The acid "bites" into the metal (it dissolves part of the metal) where it is exposed, leaving behind lines sunk into the plate. The remaining ground is then cleaned off the plate. The plate is inked all over, and then the ink wiped off the surface, leaving only the ink in the etched lines.
The Soldier and his Wife. Etching by Daniel Hopfer, who is believed to have been the first to apply the technique to printmaking
Watch: Forged in Fire: Blade Etchin
You will have a 6"x6" piece of galvanized steel (which is steel coated in Zn) metal to etch with a design.Etched away metal will be replaced with a blue CuS04 solution (copper).
Use Adobe Illustrator to cut your resist stencil from sticker paper and apply carefully to metal.
Adobe Photoshop Instructionshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLMoz-llBX8
Transfer your design to Adobe Illustrator.
USE THIS TEMPLATE: 6"X6" .AI TEMPLATE
INSTRUCTIONS: Transferring a black and white PNG image from Photoshop to Illustrator to be etched on sticker paper
Steps from photoshop to illustrator
1. open the attached illustrator Etching 6x6 Template
2. File + Place your black and white photoshop PNG image saved
-Make sure that your image is not bigger than the template
-Make sure that it is only black and white and no other colors or lines
3. Save as an .EPS file into this ONE DRIVE folder
4. Please name your file this way:
-Last name, first initial, group A or B
-Ex: Gobeil,V,groupA
DUE: AT END OF METALS UNIT DAY BEFORE TEST
Rubric for Etching –Final Piece (20 points)
Name:
____ 5) Student is able to create a design or image using positive and negative shapes.
____ 5) Student is able to etch the design.
____ 5) Student is able to finish piece to an appropriate level of craftsmanship (all traces of resist removed, clean cut edges)
____5) Student answers lab questions