The production process of etched metal crafts

▲ Design and drafting:

Firstly, designers will create design drawings for handicrafts based on customer needs or creativity. These designs can be hand drawn or drawn using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

▲ Choose metal materials:

Choose suitable metal materials according to design requirements, commonly used ones include stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. Different metal materials can affect the appearance and performance of the final product.

▲ Surface treatment:

Before etching, the metal surface needs to be cleaned and treated to remove impurities such as oil stains and oxides, ensuring a uniform etching effect.

▲ Coating with anti-corrosion film:

Coat a layer of anti-corrosion film (usually photosensitive resin or wax) on the metal surface, which will protect the areas that do not require etching. Coating can be done through methods such as screen printing or spray coating.

▲ Exposure and development:

Place the metal plate coated with anti-corrosion film into a UV exposure machine and expose it according to the design pattern. After exposure, the parts that are not illuminated by light will be removed by the developing solution, forming an etching pattern.

▲ Etching:

Immerse the developed metal plate into an etching solution (such as ferric chloride or copper sulfate), which will corrode the unprotected metal area and form a design pattern. The etching time depends on the metal material and the required depth.

▲ Cleaning and film removal:

After etching is completed, remove the metal artwork and clean it with clean water to remove the etching solution and anti-corrosion film, exposing the etched pattern.

▲ Post processing:

According to the needs, carry out subsequent processing such as grinding, polishing, coloring, or coating to enhance the appearance and durability of the crafts.

▲ Inspection and packaging:

Finally, the finished product undergoes quality inspection to ensure compliance with design requirements, followed by packaging and preparation for shipment.