Give engraving lines more contrast

Gravererlijnen meer contrast geven - Het Laser Lokaal

Depending on your chosen material, engraving lines may not be very clear. We are happy to explain how you can give them more contrast using the "color fill" technique. This technique utilizes the depth of the engraving line where paint can remain. A color fill can be used to give an engraving more contrast and thereby clarify markings on, for example, panels and nameplates.

We recommend using only non-porous materials, as porous materials can absorb the paint even if it is not in the engraving lines. Color fill can be used on porous materials; however, the procedure is different. This procedure is described at the bottom of the page. It is also possible to fill small engraving areas, but care must be taken during post-processing to ensure that no paint is removed from the area.

Requirements

-Acrylic (or other non-porous material) with a line engraving. Ensure the material is not sensitive to acetone. 

-Acetone

-Paint marker with a broad tip (we recommend an Edding 750 or 751 paint marker) in the desired color, multiple colors are also possible.

-Microfiber cloth or soft, lint-free cloth. 

-Rubber gloves

Cleaning and Painting

For this example, we used an image from Vecteezy , but in principle, you can use any line engraving. There are no strict requirements for the line engraving, but it is recommended to have at least 1mm distance between the engraving lines. You can download the example here .

If your acrylic still has protective film, leave it on, as this will make cleaning easier.If the acrylic no longer has a film, this is not a problem, make the acrylic dust-free and ensure that the line engravings are clean. 

Once the acrylic is clean, you can use an Edding paint marker to fill in the engraving lines. Shake the pen a few times and press the tip firmly into the engraving line. Trace the entire line engraving so that each groove is completely filled with paint. 

Let the paint dry for 10 minutes, if the paint has shrunk during drying, fill the grooves again and let it dry for another 10 minutes.

Post-processing

Once the paint has dried, the excess varnish can be removed by wiping the engraving with a corner of the cloth dipped in acetone. Depending on the thickness of the layer, the varnish may be difficult to remove. Do not rub too hard on the surface, as this may leave scratches. 

Depending on the color, a haze may remain on the material. Wipe the piece again with a clean part of the cloth and acetone.

Procedure for color fill on semi-porous materials (wood)

Engravings in wood unfortunately cannot be filled with a lacquer, as the material absorbs the liquid paint without it settling in the grooves. However, there is a solution for this, namely using a different filling material that is not liquid. You can use (white) putty for this, but it is also possible to use silicone sealant. 

Ensure that the wood and line engravings are clean and dust-free, and then fill them with wood putty. Smooth the putty with a putty knife. If the material allows, it can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove excess putty. Once the putty has dried, the wood can be sanded to remove any excess filling. 

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