Photoengraving Zinc Plate · Coated 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.
Overview
What This Product Is
SGZ Coated Zinc Plate is a rolled zinc photoengraving plate that arrives with the blue photoresist already applied, so an etching house can expose it the day it lands. It is made for banner, wall-calendar, printing, stamping, embossing and coining work, and it is the plate SGZ built its patented coating process around.
Ready to expose
The blue photoresist coating is applied at the factory, with no bubbles and no scratches.
Choose the back finish
Anti-acid painting in orange or golden yellow, or a red film that strips off completely after etching.
High purity zinc
Trace lead, cadmium, iron and copper, with zinc as the balance.
Patented coating process
The coated zinc etching plate is produced under Chinese patent no. 200410052148.6, using Japanese coating technology.
Who it is for
Buyers Who Specify It
Photoengraving and etching houses
Shops that expose, develop and etch plate every day and cannot afford a bubble or a scratch under the resist.
Banner and wall-calendar printers
Long, repetitive runs where the etched relief has to stay consistent across the whole sheet.
Stamping and embossing die makers
Dies cut into zinc for paper, foil and leather embossing.
Coining and medal workshops
Relief work where shoulder quality decides the finished strike.
Plate distributors
Traders who stock plate for regional etching markets.
Problems it solves
What Goes Wrong Without It
- Photoresist applied in a dusty shop traps bubbles that print as pinholes. SGZ coats the front side in the factory, free of bubbles and scratches.
- A thin anti-acid layer on the back lets the etchant attack from behind and ruins the plate mid-cycle. SGZ offers either anti-acid painting or a red film for that face.
- Removing a painted back after etching wastes labour. The red film option peels off completely once the plate is etched.
- Counterfeit and second-hand plate circulates in this market. SGZ sells direct and has never appointed a marketing agent.
Technical data
Specifications
Every figure below is taken from the SGZ specification for the Coated Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching. Where SGZ does not publish a value, none is invented.
| Product type | Coated photoengraving zinc plate |
|---|---|
| Length x width | 1000 x 500 mm, 1000 x 510 mm, or as requested |
| Thickness | 0.8 - 3.0 mm |
| Front side | Blue photoresist coating |
| Back side | Anti-acid painting (orange or golden yellow) or pasted red film |
| Matched additive | Velv-Etch or SGZ Zinc Etching Additive Oil |
| Matched developer | KY161 Positive Plate Developer |
| Packing | Inner carton with outer wood pallet or wood case |
Chemical Composition
| Aluminium (Al) | 0.02 - 0.10% |
|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.05 - 0.15% |
| Lead (Pb) | max 0.005% |
| Cadmium (Cd) | max 0.005% |
| Iron (Fe) | max 0.006% |
| Copper (Cu) | max 0.001% |
| Zinc (Zn) | Balance |
Technical Features
- Front side: blue photoresist coating, free of bubbles and scratches
- Back side option one: anti-acid painting, orange or golden yellow depending on stock
- Back side option two: red film pasted, removable in full after etching
- Stock sizes 1000 x 500 mm and 1000 x 510 mm, other sizes made to request
- Thickness 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm
- Etches with Velv-Etch or the SGZ zinc additive oil
Materials
Rolled zinc with aluminium and magnesium additions, held at trace levels for lead, cadmium, iron and copper. Zinc is the balance of the alloy.
How it is made
Manufacturing Process
Rolling
Zinc is rolled to the ordered thickness between 0.8 and 3.0 mm.
Surface preparation
The front face is cleaned and levelled before coating.
Photoresist coating
Blue photoresist is applied under the SGZ patented process, checked for bubbles and scratches.
Back-side treatment
Either anti-acid paint is applied or red film is laminated, to the customer's choice.
Cutting and inspection
Plates are cut to 1000 x 500 mm, 1000 x 510 mm or the ordered size and inspected.
Packing
Interleaved, cartoned and loaded onto wood pallets or into wood cases.
Quality Control
- Front coating inspected for bubbles and scratches before packing
- Chemical composition controlled to the published trace limits
- Thickness checked against the ordered value across the sheet
- Back-side coverage checked so acid cannot reach the reverse face
Customisation Options
- Sizes other than 1000 x 500 mm and 1000 x 510 mm on request
- Choice of anti-acid painting or red film on the back
- Thickness selected anywhere in the 0.8 - 3.0 mm band
- Matched additive, developer and etching machine supplied together
Certification
SGZ produces its coated zinc etching plate under Chinese patent no. 200410052148.6, using Japanese coating technology. SGZ does not publish third-party certification for this item, so none is claimed here.
Comparison
How It Compares With the Alternatives
Polished Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching
The polished plate is uncoated. Take the coated plate if you want to expose straight away, the polished plate if you coat your own resist or engrave on CNC.
Coated Magnesium Plate for Engraving and Etching
Magnesium etches faster and weighs less. Zinc is the traditional choice for stamping and coining relief and runs to 3.0 mm on the coated grade.
Polished Copper Plate for Photoengraving and Etching
Copper is chosen for very fine line work etched in ferric chloride. Zinc is the volume material for banner and calendar plate.
Use Guide
- Store the plate flat, in its packing, away from damp until the moment you expose it.
- Expose the blue photoresist front through your film or CTP positive.
- Develop with KY161 positive plate developer, powder mixed at 500 g to 1 litre or the ready-mixed 5 L liquid.
- Etch in a powderless machine with Velv-Etch or SGZ zinc additive oil.
- If you ordered the red film back, peel the film off after etching; it comes away in full.
Related Products
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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Etching Additive Oil
SGZ Zinc Etching Additive Oil
SGZ house zinc etching additive oil, a solvent for zinc plate etching, 20 kg plastic drum.
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Developer
KY161 Positive Plate Developer
Alkalescent positive PS plate developer, powder 500 g/bag or 5 L liquid, suited to SGZ etching zinc plate.
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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 →Answers
Coated Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching Questions
What sizes does the coated zinc plate come in?
1000 x 500 mm and 1000 x 510 mm are the common stock sizes. Other lengths and widths are made to request.
What thickness range is available?
0.8 mm to 3.0 mm on the coated grade. If you need thicker zinc, up to 7.0 mm, use the uncoated polished plate instead.
What is on the back of the plate?
Two options. Anti-acid painting in orange or golden yellow, depending on which is in stock, or a red film pasted on that peels off completely after etching.
Which additive should I run with it?
Velv-Etch or the SGZ zinc etching additive oil. Both are supplied in 20 kg drums.
How do I know I am buying genuine SGZ plate?
Order from SGZ directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. SGZ has never appointed a marketing agent, and second-hand or defective plate is resold under the SGZ name in some markets.
How is the plate packed for export?
Inner carton with an outer wood pallet or wood case, labelled SGZ, built to survive long sea freight.
Industry Applications
Industry
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Read more →Request a Price on Coated Zinc Plate for Engraving and Etching
Give SGZ the size, thickness and quantity and you will get a direct factory quotation. Drawings for OEM etching can be emailed as an attachment.