Etchng steel

Jewelry Discussion
1

Dear David,

Could you please clarify what standard clear laser film is. Some
brand names would be helpful. I don’t buy many office supplies so
I’m not sure what you mean.

Thank you,
Pauline

2

Hi Pauline,

It’s often known as ‘Transparency’ film. It’s the stuff people use
when they want to project an image onto a screen. Usually comes in A4
size in UK (?Letter size US). It is clear cellulose sheet with a
protective paper backing and costs about $15/100 sheets. I use
ordinary paper for test printing till it looks about right then use
the ‘film’. Always set your laser to 1200 dpi Enhanced and print a
little darker than usual… Don’t forget to reverse your image! Cut out
and iron onto the cleaned metal with iron on hottest setting. Use as
much pressure as possible with toe end of iron but keep it flat. Allow
to cool and peel off.

David

3 
    It's often known as 'Transparency' film.  It's the stuff people
use when they want to project an image onto a screen.  Usually comes
in A4 size in UK (?Letter size US). It is clear cellulose sheet

G’day; sorry to nit-pick, but overhead projector transparencies are
usually NOT cellulose. If they were, you certainly would not use a
hot iron on them, for they would melt and crumple. Furthermore, during
passage through a laser printer the films are heated and would melt,
so cellulose would ruin the machine. That’s why Mylar is used. You
must make certain that the films are of Mylar, which melts at a much
higher temperature than cellulose. You can tell if what you have is
Mylar by 1) the feel; it feels quite a bit more stiff than cellulose
acetate sheet, and it is harder. 2) If you cut a tiny piece off and
put a match or lighter to it, it doesn’t take fire easily, neither
does it melt easily.

Sorry to jump in like this, but I really feel it worth mentioning. –
Cheers now, John Burgess; @John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ

4

Look for a product by 3M for Overhead Transparencies. They should
have PP 2500 on the box. These work fine for laser printers as well.
Do NOT use Ink Jet printers.

Etching Tip! Use a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, 50/50 and
make sure the image metal is wet when you apply the film. Squeegee
out the extra. This works VERY well for PnP Blue.

-k
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
10 Walnut St.
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone:781/937-3532
Fax: 781/937-3955
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Accredited Jewelry Instruction

5

You’re quite right. I still think in pre-war Hollywood terms! Don’t
think they use cellulose for anything much these days do they? It
deteriorates too quickly.

David