Newbie- Filling....

[2A-TB@ThePatch]

Trying to understand how "filling" works.

After I have engraved text into (for example: black acylic) the lettering is still black..

How do i "fill" that text and make it white or green or whatever color? Does the engraver fill the color if you want it to? Is there a "filling" process after the engraving is finished?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

[zax15uk]

There are various techniques.

You can cut a 'fill' inlay with contrasting Acrylic (or from another material) and insert it in with some suitable adhesive or use an Acrylic paint (just the stuff you'll find at any hobby store). The paint is easier for detail and self levels, the process is very quick and easy.

Depending on the application you can purchase Acrylic ply which has 2 or more colors in a sandwich, you laser through the first layer to reveal the layer beneath and so on. It is the easiest (as you don't need to do anything) but costs more than paint fill and is only available in certain colors/thicknesses etc.

There are other methods too but the above are probably the most common.

Zax.

[SkipW]

More good info for color filling acrylic here.

[zax15uk]

Just so it isn't confusing, the method linked by Skip is 'reverse fill' for transparent Acrylic. It has the benefit that the front surface is flat/smooth and also provides a more glossy appearance. You can also engrave on thicker material and produce a very 3D look.

Zax.