Make A Badge

Summary

In this video, Bill Richie, a printmaker, demonstrates how he creates intricate copper plate etchings and decorative badges. Using a combination of digital design in Adobe Illustrator and traditional techniques like laser printing, metal etching, and hand finishing, Richie guides viewers through each step. He details the process from preparing the metal, transferring designs using a laminator, to etching with feric chloride. Finally, Richie brings the artwork to life with inking and mounting it into a press, showcasing the blend of craftsmanship and technology in his unique printmaking method.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bill Richie is a printmaker specializing in copper plate etchings and custom badges for etching presses.
• 😀 The design for the badges is created in Adobe Illustrator and mirrored horizontally for proper transfer onto the metal plate.
• 😀 Avery shipping label stock is used for printing the design, with the silicon-coated side being printed on using a laser printer.
• 😀 Brass plates, 25 thousandths thick, are cut and deburred before being used for etching to ensure smooth edges.
• 😀 Soy sauce is used to degrease the metal plates, leveraging its acetic acid and salt content to remove grease and residue.
• 😀 The toner is transferred onto the metal plate using a laminator set to its highest temperature, requiring several passes for a strong bond.
• 😀 After toner transfer, the metal plate is fused in a toaster oven or hot plate, ensuring the toner adheres with a dull gloss finish.
• 😀 A stop-out technique is used to protect areas of the plate from etching, applying Liquid Universal Etching Ground to preserve certain sections.
• 😀 The plate is etched using ferric chloride for 20 minutes, repeating the process for an aquatint effect that adds texture to the design.
• 😀 After etching, the plate is cleaned with lacquer thinner and polished on a buffing wheel to remove the toner and stop-out materials.
• 😀 The final steps involve cutting the badges from the plate, trimming and shaping them to fit the design, and adding etching ink to enhance the details.

Q & A

What is the first step in Bill Richie's process for making etching badges?

The first step is to create a design using Adobe Illustrator. Bill reflects the design left to right to ensure it reads correctly once transferred onto the metal.

Why does Bill use silicon-coated paper for printing the design?

Bill uses silicon-coated paper, such as Avery shipping labels, because it allows for better toner transfer when run through a laser printer. The shiny side of the paper is used for printing.

What material does Bill use for the metal plates and why?

Bill uses 25,000 thick brass plates for etching because it is durable and suitable for the etching process. Brass is chosen for its workability and ability to hold fine details during the etching process.

What is the purpose of deburring the metal after cutting?

Deburring is essential to remove sharp edges that could cause issues during the subsequent steps, especially when the plate is run through a laminator. A burr-free edge ensures a clean transfer of the toner.

Why does Bill use soy sauce for degreasing the metal plates?

Bill uses soy sauce because it contains acetic acid and salt, which effectively remove grease, fingerprints, and other residues from the metal, ensuring better adhesion of the toner during the transfer process.

How does Bill transfer the design from paper to the metal plate?

The design is transferred using a laminator set to its highest temperature. The metal plate is run through the laminator several times to ensure the toner bonds properly to the surface.

What is the role of the toaster oven or hot plate in the process?

The toaster oven or hot plate is used to fuse the laser toner to the metal plate. The metal is heated just above the toner to achieve a dull gloss finish, ensuring the toner adheres firmly to the metal for the etching process.

What is the purpose of using Liquid Universal etching ground in the process?

Liquid Universal etching ground is used as a stop-out to protect areas of the plate that should not be etched. It prevents the ferric chloride from attacking certain parts of the plate during the etching process.

Why does Bill etch the plate twice, and how long does each etching take?

Bill etches the plate twice: the first etching defines the basic design, and the second etching creates finer details, especially for aquatint. Each etching lasts about 20 minutes.

What happens after the etching process is complete?

After the etching, the plate is cleaned thoroughly to remove the toner, stop-outs, and residues. It is then buffed to a smooth finish, and the design is checked for flaws.