Etching engraving difference is very big in number, even if the results they produce both, print on metal, seems the same. Now we will concentrate on the etching engraving difference to know exactly how each of them is different.
1.Etching engraving difference in the process
The etching is the chemical process in which the metal material is laminated for protection against acid spray and then is exposed to UV light in order to make it resistant to the high-temperature acid that will be sprayed on the etching machine. After the spray will touch the metal surface, it will dissolve the unprotected part of the metal which will result in the design printed on the metal surface.
Engraving is a physical process in which the metal is removed by scratching the metal surface with a high-temperature diamond form tool or is made with a laser at extremely high temperatures.
2.Etching engraving difference in the depth of the print on the metal
With the etching process, the design is made by being not protected because of the mask that was set on the metal when it was laminate and under UV light. So it will be dissolved by the acid and will remain the design. The surface is scratch only slightly, enough to see the design. So this process is saving a lot of material.
With the engraving process, the metal is scratched or deeper than the etching process.
3.Etching engraving difference in precision
The etching process is the best choice for a small and complicated design where it needs precision. When that mask of design is put on, everything that will be protected will remain solid. Only the exact design mask form will be dissolved slightly on the surface.
Engraving process has less precision than the etching process. Engraving is better when it is a simple design on bigger metal material. That means if a detailed design is needed, the best choice is etching.
4.Etching engraving difference in speed and cost
The etching process saves a lot of material, is fast and is low cost. This is the most preferred solution because of its advantages, especially in mass production.
The engraving process takes more time to complete and is more expensive than the etching process.
5.Etching engraving difference in the type of material
The etching is the perfect choice for the detailed design, that is on small materials.
Engraving is the right choice for a large material where there is not so much detail in the design and it can go deep, without ruining the material.
Those are the main 5 etching engraving difference. Now you know which is which and what each is doing. Next time when you have to make a decision between them, you will know exactly the perfect one for you.