Etching tool idea

Jewelry Discussion
1

Kudos to Karen Christians of Metalwerx and an etching tool idea

Hi all, I have a large commission to make for which I needed to
learn how to etch using a photo resist. I am fortunate to live near
and be friends with Karen Christians (dubbed the Mordant Queen by
Anne Hollerbach) so I called her to ask for a copy of her hand out.
Karen responded by inviting me over for a personal demonstration.
(Wow!) I am amazed by her generosity, and how simple she makes the
etching process. It is all so much easier than I’d suspected! The
3M product she recommends is really easy to use. (“3M Transparency
Film for Copiers” is available from office supply places, such as
Staples. It comes in several types, made to be compatible with
different copiers. #PP2200 works for her copier, for instance–and
#PP2950 is recommended for my Canon copier.) My etchings are turning
out great, and the project is underway!

Since my studio is at home, and both my studio and kitchen have very
little storage space, I was reluctant to buy a pancake griddle as
Karen recommends to provide heat under the largish (~5" x 8" 18 ga.)
copper pieces that I am working on. Instead, I used my flat topped
electric stove (the kind where the entire top surface is covered with
a flat glass/ceramic surface). I used it as Karen showed me how to
use her griddle; I put a paper towel between the stove top and the
copper, and another paper towel between the copper (covered with the
image on the 3M transparency film) and the iron. It worked!

My thanks to Karen Christians and her etching techniques, as well as
Metalwerx! Cindy Eid www.cynthiaeid.com

2 
Two thoughts to go with your kitchen etching. 1) Paper on the
stove=8A hmmm, do you have a fire extinguisher near by? Have you
looked at the charge indicator? 2) Are your mordants stored in
containers similar to those used for food? How safely are they
marked and stored?

An alternate for the copier films is PNP Blue, an advanced photo
resist material. Instead of just using the pigment supplied from the
copier or printer, it adds a second layer. This blue layer transfers
with the pigment and provides a superior resist. The product was
developed for prototyping electronic circuit boards.