[Jewelry making - Article 00337] - Re: [Orchid] Roller Printing Text

[Nanz Aalund]

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Elkka,

    Due to the nature of the roll printing process I doubt you will ever
    get results that mimic the clean deep lines of engraving. With roll
    printing the edges of your text will have a softer look than etching
    too. But you can get some very fine results. 

    Both of the processes I have listed here, worked best for me when
    the fine details are raised off the surface instead of recessed. From
    your question I realize you want the text to be recessed into a
    plate. So, this may be of no help...but here goes. 

    I have used card stock that has been laser cut. The laser burns the
    pattern from my computer file through the card stock which makes an
    excellent single pass stencil. I simply print multiples of the same
    pattern to repeat that pattern. Check with reprographic firms that do
    work for architects to find a laser cutter. (or the architecture
    department of a local college) 

    For a metal stencil I would stay away from steel as it could scar
    your mill's roller faces. Nickel or brass sheets in 18 gauge or 16
    gauge are tough enough to hold up for 20 to 30 passes through the
    mill without significant distortion. The text will remain lighter
    than etching, but will still be readable. I would recommend They are
    an industrial photo chemical etching firm. They can take a computer
    file of text and turn it into the resist to etch a plate and then
    etch the plate for you. ($$$) There is also a "PnP"(?) film used in
    etching for enameling that can be use in conjunction with carbon
    based toners in copying machines that will supply a resist so you
    could etch your own plates. 

    What Karat gold do you hope to roller print? 14K is as hard to
    emboss with roll printing as brass. I have only been able to get a
    faint impression on 14k yellow dead soft. Better results can be
    achieved with higher karats, 18k will emboss fairly well, 20k even
    better comparable to sterling in my trials. but you will really have
    to use a heavier gauge nickel or brass, either as a stencil or as a
    back plate to a paper stencil to avoid distortion. 

Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228

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