Industry application
Plate and Etching for Stamping Embossing and Coining Dies
Stamping, embossing and coining are named on every SGZ plate specification as intended applications. Die makers buy the plate, the additive and the bath; buyers who only need the finished tool send a drawing and SGZ etches the plate instead.
Industry pain points
What Goes Wrong in This Industry
Relief that undercuts at the shoulder
The die prints soft edges. The additive rather than the plate usually decides this, which is why SGZ names the additive each of its plates is designed to run with.
Plate too thin for the depth of relief
Coated zinc runs to 3.0 mm and uncoated zinc to 7.0 mm; coated magnesium runs to 10 mm.
No capacity to etch a one-off pattern plate
SGZ etches stainless steel embossing plates to a customer drawing, quoted per pattern.
Buying a machine sized for the wrong plate
Plating size runs from 250 x 350 mm on the BS20 to 900 x 1200 mm on the BS200. Choose from your largest plate, not your average.
Recommended products
What SGZ Supplies Into This Work
Photoengraving Zinc Plate
Coated Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching
Photoengraving zinc plate pre-coated with blue photoresist, 0.8-3.0 mm, with painted or filmed back.
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Photoengraving Zinc Plate
Polished Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching
Uncoated, polished photoengraving zinc plate, 99.95% purity, 0.8-7.0 mm, for CNC engraving or your own resist.
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Photoengraving Magnesium Plate
Coated Magnesium Plate for Engraving and Etching
Blue hydro-coated photoengraving magnesium plate, 1.0-10 mm, green anti-acid back, faster etching than zinc.
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Copper Plate for Etching
Polished Copper Plate for Photoengraving and Etching
Mirror-surfaced photoengraving copper plate in 1.0, 1.4, 1.5 and 2.0 mm, to 2000x600 mm, etches in FeCl3.
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OEM Etch Service
Etching Service for Stainless Steel Embossing Plates
Etched stainless steel embossing and pattern plates to your drawing, quoted per design.
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Etching Machine
Powderless Etching Machine BS Brand
BS powderless etching machine in ten bath sizes from 20 L to 200 L, for zinc, copper and magnesium plate.
View product →Typical scenarios
Where the Plate Ends Up
Foil and blind embossing dies
Zinc and magnesium relief for paper, board and leather.
Coining and medal dies
Copper and zinc relief where the strike has to stay crisp.
Stainless embossing pattern plates
Etched to a customer pattern as an OEM service.
Heavy engraved dies
Uncoated zinc to 7.0 mm, or brass to 50 mm for CNC engraving.
Delivery capability
What SGZ Can Actually Supply
- Depth rangePlate from 0.5 mm magnesium up to 50 mm brass, depending on the material.
- OEM etchingStainless steel embossing plates etched to a drawing and quoted per design.
- Bath sizesTen BS models from 20 to 200 litres.
- ChemistryZinc and magnesium additive grades held in stock in 20 kg drums.
Plate, chemistry, machines and packing all come from the same supplier, which is what keeps the etch result repeatable across a programme.
Related Sample Work
Sample work
Etched Stainless Steel Embossing Plates
An embossing plate is a tool, not a finished part. The pattern has to repeat without a visible seam, and stainless steel is...
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Sample work
Etched Wrestling Championship Belt Plate
A championship belt plate is much larger and deeper than a medal, with a wide field of detail that has to etch evenly from the...
Read more →Answers
Stamping Embossing and Coining Questions
Which metal holds relief best for embossing?
SGZ lists stamping, embossing and coining as applications for its zinc, magnesium and copper plate. Zinc is the traditional choice, magnesium etches faster, copper holds the finest line.
How thick can I go?
Coated zinc to 3.0 mm, uncoated zinc to 7.0 mm, coated magnesium to 10 mm, brass to 50 mm.
Can SGZ etch a pattern plate for me?
Yes. Send a drawing and SGZ will quote that pattern in stainless steel.
Do I need a different additive for magnesium?
Yes. Use X-Flex (E004) or Rev-Flex (E003) on magnesium, and Velv-Etch (E002) or the SGZ house oil on zinc.
Guides for This Industry
Comparison Guide
Coated or Uncoated Photoengraving Plate
Coated plate arrives ready to expose but is limited in thickness and size. Uncoated plate is bare metal, goes thicker and larger,...
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Specification Guide
Plate Size and Thickness Guide
Every SGZ plate size and thickness in one table: zinc, magnesium, brass, copper and magnesium tooling plate, with the maximum...
Read more →Supplying Stamping Embossing and Coining
Describe the job and SGZ will say which plate, which additive and which machine size fit it.