Etch & Roll

Service Description

Want to learn how to etch your own customized rolling mill pattern plates. This one-day workshop is your chance to create rolling mill pattern plates from low carbon steel at an extremely low cost. We’ll explore a range of resists—oil paint spray, splatters and pens, dry transfers, freeform hand cut stencils— anything that will stick to the steel and hold up in the etching process. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic electro-etching process and then etch 12-gauge mild steel to create durable rolling mill pattern plates with original designs. You will learn which types of resists work best to produce a long-lasting etched pattern for rolling mill plates and how to manage the electro-etching process. You will be able to complete at least two pattern plates during the class. In addition, your kit will include all the equipment you need to replicate the process in your own studio. During the workshop, you will learn to: The class will be structured with a combination of instruction, demos, interactive discussion and hands-on work. It will include time for you to practice and apply the techniques covered with the instructor providing individual support and guidance throughout. We will break for 45 min. lunch. Kit Fee = $85 Payable to instructor at start of class. Kit includes: • Oil paint pen • Three pieces of low carbon steel 2” x 6”, 12g • Oracal vinyl sheet for stencils (12” x 12” square) • Four D batteries • Battery holder with leads • Etching container (2-liter plastic etching container with lid) • Copper sheet (18 g approximately 6” x 9”) to be used as cathode + hook to suspend etched piece) • Heavy copper wire used for hanging multiple etched pieces in etching solution • Alligator clips for leads Shared supplies: • Copper sulphate and non-iodized salt for etching solution • Dry transfers • Oil based paint (brush-on and spray) • Repositionable spray adhesive used for stencil resists • Small paint brushes • Foam paint brushes to clean etching residue from plates Students should bring the following supplies to the class: • Pencil to sketch designs for etching • Burnisher, any kind *Please see cancellation policy