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Hello! I will show you a method of electrochemical engraving, with which you can transfer a picture printed on a laser printer to a knife, cleaver, any other metal surface. I will transfer the drawing from the computer to the spatula for clarity of the process.

Pattern Search


For work, we need an image that we will transfer. Finding it is easy on the World Wide Web. But there are certain requirements - it should be monochrome, black and white, without smooth transitions, only clear edges. If you did not find such a picture on the Internet, then you can bring it to this form using a photo editor.

Print picture


For printing we need special paper. Ideally, a backing from an adhesive film, which is usually thrown away, is suitable. It has a coating, such as wax, on which the adhesive film itself does not stick. At worst, you can use the pages of glossy magazines. Anyone who has poisoned boards at least once must understand without problems.
In general, we cut out the format for the “A4” or “A5” printer from such a substrate and insert it into the printer. The printer must be a laser, with powder paint.
We print the picture at maximum quality, with the ink saving function disabled. After printing, cut off the extra edges of the paper.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer of a picture to metal


To translate, you need an ordinary iron. It is good because it accurately maintains the set temperature, which is very important. We turn it over and set it to 130-150 degrees Celsius.
While the iron is heating, we degrease the surface of the metal where the picture will be applied. This can be done with a cotton swab moistened with acetone, alcohol or gasoline.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

After that, put the spatula on the iron, wait a little while it heats up.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

After a few minutes we apply the image to the place. This must be done very carefully, without smearing the picture.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Under temperature, the ink melts and adheres to the metal.
Carefully smooth the picture through a cotton swab. You do not need to press hard - there is a danger that the paper will move out and grease everything. Iron everything for about 1-2 minutes. Be careful - do not burn yourself.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Then we remove the spatula to the side and wait until it cools down. After cooling, carefully peel off the paper. If you used a glossy magazine, soak in water for a while, and then gently stick it off.
You should get a clear picture on the metal. If there are melts or thickenings, you can erase the ink with acetone and repeat the operation.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Electrochemical etching pattern


Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

In order not to etch the excess, I will make plasticine a kind of barrier to the solution. I also pasted the surface around the picture with tape so as not to poison the excess.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Prepare a saline solution.
The composition of the solution:
  • - water 50 ml.
  • - salt, ordinary kitchen - half a teaspoon.

We also need a rechargeable battery or a 12 volt power supply. We connect the positive output to the spatula. I glued it with tape.
Pour saline solution.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

And with a negative electrode (I use an ordinary self-tapping screw), we poison, immersing the electrode in the solution. The etching time is short: 20-30 seconds. According to my observations, an increase in the etching time does not affect the figure quite well.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Then, we remove the barrier from plasticine and see that everything is blackened.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

With a cotton pad dipped in acetone, we remove the printer ink. And we see that we got a great engraving. Very clear, as I already have a lot of experience with this. Even the mustache of the animal is visible!
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

I also made a drawing, but turned black and white in the editor.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

The result of transferring the picture to metal


Satisfied with the result, excellent quality. Making a gift knife now is not difficult, for example.
Transfer a picture from a computer to metal

Afterword


Etching can be carried out without electricity, using a different chemical solution.
Also, etching can be carried out without any plasticine barriers by simply wetting a cotton swab with saline and applying an electrode to it, directly affect the metal. But I do not like this method, since the contact is direct, which can erase small ink parts.
Watch the video of the process -
If you did not manage to do everything the first time - do not worry. Try again, it’s not difficult.
come back
Comments (3)
  1. feelloff
    #1 feelloff Guests November 20, 2017 15:14
    4
    Look it, it's really cool!
  2. Guest Yuri
    #2 Guest Yuri Guests January 17, 2019 1:58 p.m.
    1
    Good article! Thought how to make nameplates for models. I will try. As I understand it, the type of metal does not matter.
  3. Flipper
    #3 Flipper Guests March 3, 2019 5:36 p.m.
    1
    I didn’t understand - why can’t a drawing be attached to an unheated metal? Then there is no need to be careful - it will not be lubricated.

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