Choose your metal type.
Brass
Copper
Stainless Steel
Nickel Silver
Sterling/Fine Silver*
Titanium
* Sterling Silver and Fine Silver Customer Supplied Only.
Brass is the most commonly used base material for ornaments & bookmarks, as it is easily polished, before or after etching, and can be plated with the metal finishes listed below. Brass is typically the most economical base metal as well, and is relatively easy to form after etching.
Copper, stainless steel, nickel silver, and Sterling and fine Silver are typically used for specialty projects or jewelry findings.
Choose the metal thickness, which best suits your needs.
Metal Thickness Illustration
Please give this choice a bit of thought, as the thickness of the metal ultimately determines what can and what can’t be done with your design.
If your intention is to produce a highly pierced and intricate surface etched design, then you’ll need to use a thinner metal to achieve your look on your finished design.
Designs that are to be formed are generally etched on .020” thick stock.
If the piece needs to be stiff, durable, or functional, a thicker metal would be best, although it limits the amount of piercing and surface etching detail that can be obtained.
Generally speaking, highly detailed model parts are done on .010” & .012”, ornaments & bookmarks are typically made on .016” & .020” thicknesses.
Jewelry findings, plaques, and other types of pieces of this nature, are usually done on .025”-.040” thick stock.