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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
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. This process
utilizes a halftone dot pattern acid-etched on a metal plate.
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.

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