Ferric chloride has numerous advantages over other etchants such as nitric acid and dutch mordant.  It is dramatically safer, more precise, and more economical.  Despite this, many etchers have avoided using ferric chloride because when etching a copper plate in the traditional manner (i.e., laying the plate on the bottom of an etching tray), the bitten particles of copper fall back into the plate, inhibiting the etching process.  Of course, the Z*ACRYL VERTICAL ETCHING TANK eliminates this concern.  By suspending the etching plate vertically, the particulate is able to fall away from the plate.

Ferric chloride is not an acid.  It etches copper without producing any fumes.  So, while reasonable air circulation is necessary, external ventilation and exhaust systems are not required.  This makes a home etching studio or adding an etching class to any art curriculum a real possibility.

Etching times are admittedly longer in ferric than in nitric.  However, this results in a much cleaner and more precise bite.

Another of its great advantages is that the same 4 gallons of ferric chloride (required to fill the Vertical Etching Tank completely, will last a busy class a couple of semesters at least--and in a home studio, it can last for years!  Imagine not having to neutralize and dispose of gallons of nitric acid, and then mix a new acid bath every few weeks.  

Z*ACRYL COPPER ETCHANT comes pre-mixed. It is made from the most soluble and highest technical grade (so-called "drinking water grade") ferric salts, and is formulated to our exact specifications--40% FeCl3, 43o Baume--expressly for fine arts etching.