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How to Print on a Copper-clad Board

Metal such as copper is difficult to print on, as it has a nonporous surface. This makes it difficult for substances such as ink to adhere correctly. You can screen print a design or image onto copper by using gloss enamel printing inks specially designed to stay on surfaces such as metal and glass.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Acetate
  • Cardboard
  • Craft knife
  • Silk screen printing frame
  • Masking tape
  • Gloss enamel printing ink
  • Squeegee
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Instructions

    • 1

      Design or choose the image you want to print on the copper board. You can print lettering or a drawing, or combine the two. When designing your image, choose simple objects with basic outlines that will be easy to cut out. Print or draw this image onto an A4 size sheet of acetate.

    • 2

      Place thick cardboard on your work surface. Cut around the outlines of the parts of your design you want to print. Keep your fingers out of the way of the knife blade as it cuts. This cut out acetate sheet is your stencil.

    • 3

      Put the stencil on top of the copper-clad board in the desired print location. Place the silk screen printing frame down on top of the stencil. Cover any areas on the underside of the screen that are not covered by the acetate stencil with masking tape.

    • 4

      Place a small blob of ink on top of the screen. Pull the ink down the screen with a squeegee held at a 45-degree angle. Hold the screen in place with your left hand.

    • 5

      Pull up the screen from left to right. The stencil will be stuck to the screen by the ink and will pull away at the same time to reveal the printed copper-clad board. Leave the print to dry. Rinse the screen, stencil and squeegee in water until all the ink is removed.

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