Exploring the art of screen printing asphaltum for etching on medals and trophies for the indigenous metal art industry

Abstract

Etching remains a primeval craft used to produce interesting images on metal surfaces. The mode of applying resists onto these surfaces presents a challenge for metalsmiths in the indigenous metal art industry to achieve accuracy, precision and details. Recent studies have outlined improved resist application methods developed in the industrial sector as compared to the indigenous metal art industry. This studio practice research explores screen printing as an alternative method to print asphaltum onto metal surfaces for etching. Experimentation at the studio and chemistry laboratory aided in achieving the preparatory stages or variables like ideal consistency of the resist, ratio of acid to water for etching, the mesh count for screen printing the resist and the best squeegee type to use. Relevant results from the studio experiments proved the possibility of screen printing asphaltum which match the viscosity of toothpaste onto the surface of a metal for etching.