Photo Chemical Machining Technology

Global Stencil (formerly Specialty Photo-Etch, Inc.) has been in the photo-chemical machining industry since 1985. We use this expertise when required by our customers to produce etched stencils, step etches on laser cut stencils, recessed cutouts on the bottom of stencils to allow the stencil to gasket around labels, and many other applications as needed.

Global Stencil is one of only a few stencil manufacturers that continue to provide etched services to our customers. The chemical etching process is a subtractive process in that a light sensitive photo-resist is applied to the foil. The coated foil is placed in between a film master and exposed with UV light. The exposed resist hardens. The unexposed areas of resist are developed and dissolve leaving bare foil. The foil is then processed through a conveyor etching machine which sprays an acid on the foil from both the top and bottom sides. The foil material is dissolved and the image is "etched". The resist is then removed leaving the etched foil.