Production Principle
The core of manufacturing etched colored stainless steel lies in the two steps of etching shaping and precise coloring. Etching is essentially an elegant chemical subtractive art - not by using tools to carve hard, but by selectively dissolving the metal surface through chemical solutions.
Core Advantages
1. The three-dimensional texture with rich light and shadow gradations.
After etching, the surface forms a 0.05 - 0.5mm height difference. The raised and depressed areas produce a strong contrast of light and dark and a difference in touch sensation under light. Whether it is the "contrast of yin and yang" with mirror gold base and etched dark patterns, or the "restrained texture" of overall matte etching, these are unparalleled three-dimensional aesthetics that cannot be replaced by flat materials.
2. The pattern is permanently non-abrasive.
The etched texture is the part "removed" from the stainless steel substrate, not the "added" coating. The pattern is integrated with the substrate and will not be worn or disappear due to friction, scratching, or cleaning. The service life is designed based on decades, suitable for elevator panels and public facilities with frequent contact.
3. Extremely high precision, capable of replicating any pattern.
The minimum line width of the photo-sensitive etching process can reach 0.05mm, and it can perfectly replicate any complex patterns. Custom based on the drawing, what you see is what you get. The lines for cross-plate connection are perfectly aligned without jagged edges.
4. Natural dual-color effect, no need for secondary processing.
The etched concave-convex structure + PVD coating naturally form a dual-color layer - the convex surface is bright, and the concave surface is deep. The same color presents different brightness in different depth areas. It is also possible to add a secondary coating of color after etching to achieve a more intense dual-color/multi-color contrast effect.
5. Extremely strong corrosion resistance, does not fade over time.
The base material is 304/316 stainless steel, with a salt spray test of ≥ 1000 hours without rust. The PVD coating layer has a hardness of HV800 - 3000+, and does not fade after 5000 times of positive pressure rubber friction at 500g, does not damage when bent at 90°. The color surface layer can withstand a temperature of 200°C.
6. Extremely high design freedom.
Base pattern (mirror finish/brushed finish/abrasion finish/texture finish) × etching (negative etching/positive etching/deep etching) × color (20+ standard colors) × pattern (customizable), four-dimensional free combination, meeting the full spectrum requirements from standardized batch decoration to high-end artistic customization.
7. Environmentally friendly and safe, fire-resistant and flame-retardant.
The chemical etching solution is professionally treated for recycling, coloring uses eco-friendly PVD vacuum coating, without heavy metal pollution. The stainless steel substrate itself is fire-resistant and non-flammable, in line with building fire protection standards and RoHS/REACH international environmental protection standards.
Available Colors & Finishes
Colors: Titanium gold, champagne gold, rose gold, black titanium, bronze color, bronze, red bronze, green bronze, gemstone blue, emerald green, purple red, coffee color, zirconium gold, deep space gray, iridescent, etc. 20+ varieties; Etching with raised and recessed patterns + natural color coating to create a dual-color layering effect of "high gloss/low texture"
Surface treatment of the base: 8K mirror finish, brushed (straight/chaotic), sandblasted, and textured, chaotic texture, etc. - The base texture is done before etching, and then the color coating is applied uniformly after etching, resulting in more rich layers
Material: 201, 304, 316L, 430, etc., customizable
Size: Standard 1000×2000mm, 1219×2438mm, 1219×3048mm, 1500×3000mm; Custom maximum width 1500mm, length not exceeding 6000mm
Thickness: 0.3mm ~ 5.0mm (commonly 0.6~2.0mm), customizable
Etching depth: 0.05mm ~ 0.5mm (controlled as needed)
Additional processing: Optional AF nano anti-fingerprint coating, UV-resistant transparent protective paint (for outdoor scenarios)
Application Scenarios
Elevators and Public Transportation: Elevator car interior and exterior panels, elevator door casings, escalator side panels, subway/high-speed rail platform artistic walls - engraved patterns are permanently wear-resistant, fingerprint-resistant and easy to clean, suitable for high-frequency public use. Cloud patterns, auspicious clouds and other Chinese engraved patterns are classic choices for high-end elevator decoration.
High-end Hotels and Clubs: Hotel lobby background walls, banquet hall wall and ceiling, new Chinese-style club partitions, corridor waist lines - engraved concave and convex light and shadow inject cultural connotations and artistic temperature into the space, replacing traditional wood carvings and stone carvings, more lightweight and durable.
Commercial Spaces and Brand Stores: Brand flagship store door heads, jewelry display bottom plates, KTV/bar decoration walls, brand logo walls - engraved exclusive patterns + brilliant colors, create a unique brand visual identity.
Home Decoration: Cabinet door panels, TV background walls, entrance screens, bathroom decoration panels - personalized patterns customized, moisture-proof, anti-corrosion and easy to maintain, enhance home quality.
Cultural and Artistic Fields: Metal murals, art installations, awards and medals, souvenirs - photo-sensitive etching perfectly reproduces every detail of the art works.
Signage and Wayfinding: Outdoor door signs, floor level signs, nameplates and labels, Braille wayfinding - engraved text/patterns are permanently clear and do not fade, have strong weather resistance, suitable for outdoor and high-frequency usage environments.
Building Facades and Outdoor: Building exterior facade decorative panels, door heads, balcony railings, outdoor sculptures - 316L substrate + PVD gold/black titanium + UV-protective clear coat, ensure no fading during long-term outdoor use.
Other Fields: Mobile phone casings, laptop panel, mechanical equipment casings, kitchen countertops and sinks, ship interiors, medical equipment casings, etc.