Edges can be filed straight afterwards but this method is not ideal. Plates can also be cut with a hack-saw but it is very difficult to achieve a clean, straight edge using this method and it can take some time. Specific cutting tools can be purchased for this operation but it is also possible to improvise with more commonly found hard-edge blades you can purchase in a hardware store. The key to this is method is consistency and patience not strength allow the cut to take some time, work smoothly and calmly. The copper must be scored many times as each pass the blade cuts slightly deeper. The copper must be firmly secure with the use of a strong heavy ruler to guide the blade along the cut line. As best as possible the cut should be made in one quick motion to achieve a clean edge.Ĭuts can also be achieved by continuously scoring the copper with a blade. It is good to have help if cutting a larger sized plate as one person can perform the cut while the other person uses their body weight to keep the plate steady. When using a guillotine line the cut up with the blade and apply as much downward pressure to the plate on the guillotine bed as possible.
Guillotines can be very dangerous so always be careful and preferably get a demonstration of the specific machine in use. The size of the desired plates can be ruled up and drawn onto the metal sheet with marker pen. The best method of cutting plates from a large sheet of metal is with a guillotine. The edges of metal printing plates can be extremely sharp so be very careful not to cut yourself when handling them. The size of the plate cannot exceed either of these so keep these dimensions in mind if working with large plates.
Plates are only available in stock sizes but can be cut.Įtchings can be made with printing plates of a variety of sizes with the only limitations really being the size of the press bed that you will use to print the plate and also the size of the acid bath you will use to etch the plate. It is much more expensive buying copper like this, perhaps two or three times the unprepared price. This saves you having to prepare your own plates and you can get straight into the image making. Don't worry too much as nearly all marks can be fixed but being careful in these early stages can save you time and effort in the long run.Ĭopper plates (and other etching plates such as zinc) can also be purchased pre-prepared for etching from art shops. Having said all that no matter how protective you are of your copper it will always manage to get some marks on it. Marking one side as the side you will use for printing as soon as you get the copper is a good idea so from that point on you can keep this side face-up or face out from the wall you are leaning it on to avoid marking. Keep your copper safe and if possible wrapped-up with something that will protect it such as cardboard, cloth or even paper. You should try your best to get a sheet with the least amount of damage possible and try your best to protect its surfaces from scratches and marks once purchased. The larger the sheet purchased the better the value for money. Sheets purchased like this are not specifically designed for etching but can easily be prepared for it through a number of simple techniques. Perhaps the best option is purchasing copper straight from a metal supplier, this gives you the best value for money and allows you to work on the plate from its most basic state. Filing down and burnishing the edges of the plateĬopper used for etching should ideally be about one millimeter thick and can be purchased from a variety of places in sheets of various sizes.