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General
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Etching creates
plaques with 2 levels of graphics--recessed and raised. Graphic images and
text are generally recessed on an etched plaque and infilled with a
painted color. Small lettering with fine serifs is not recommended for
raised graphics.
Brass alloys may be chemically
oxidized with the recessed areas appearing as a
darker color. ADA compliant graphics can be created through deep-etching
metal plaques. Deep-etching to comply with ADA requirements is .032" and
may be accommodated, depending on the artwork, in all metals except
aluminum.
Stencil Cutting
To accommodate backlighting or expose the
installation wall, waterjet-cut letters may be cut from the background of
a sheet of metal. Other applications may be logos or plaques that require
precision joining of two different materials, and instrument and control
panels with stencil cut shapes and pierced holes.
Etched Portraits
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Portraits of
people, places or events may be incorporated onto a plaque using a
variety of techniques. The best method depends upon many factors
including the artwork available, the final appearance, the
installation location and budget. One process utilizes a halftone dot
pattern acid-etched on a metal plate. |
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The dots are filled with
black to contrast with the satin-finished background. Standard etching
depths range from .007 to .020” depending upon size and detail of artwork
and material selected. Halftone photographs have a shallow etching depth
of .003”-.007”.
The
best photographs for etched portraits have high contrast tones with bright
white areas, dense black areas, and minimal gray tones. Photos that are
monotone or have muted colors will produce poor halftone etchings. Etched
portraits are suitable for interior and exterior use. Halftones are not
recommended for aluminum etched plaques. Line art using your--or our--line
drawing is the other preferred method.
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