Plate Preparation – Cutting Copper

Posted on: September 27th, 2014

Metal Plate Shear/Cutter 

The large green guillotine with a wooden step – that’s what you’re looking for in the studio. It has a sharp blade that is used to cut ONLY copper.

Don’t touch the blade. ALWAYS keep your fingers clear of the blade, well in front of the metal guard.

Mark your copper plate on both sides with an etching needle or a permanent marker. Line the mark up with the blade. Put one foot onto the wooden step until the blade touches the copper. Hold the copper tight with both hands. Put your full weight on the step and the blade will cut your copper to size.

Flattening 

If your copper has a dent or a bent corner, gently bend it back with pliers, or run it through the etching press a couple of times.

Categorised under: Copper, Etching