A textured metal finish can be achieved in a variety of different ways and can take a number of days, or a matter of minutes, to obtain – depending on the metal texturing techniques you use. Advances in materials and product development mean that it is now possible to achieve different metal textures using a series of shortcuts, such as pre-textured plates and shaped hammers, which were simply not available years ago.
Metal Texturing Techniques
Traditionally, laborious techniques like engraving, repousse (the shaping of metal using a hammer to create form from the underside) and chasing (the opposite of repousse where metal is shaped on the front face, also known as embossing) were used for texturing metal. All of these metal texturing techniques require a strong skill set and a great deal of time and patience and, whilst they are still used today, they are generally reserved for expensive and high-end silverware commanding a huge price tag.
One of the most prominent artists still using these techniques today is Wally Gilbert, who has developed a distinctive style using chasing and wire work to achieve fabulous, patterned silverware, which is renowned as some of the best in the country. His work is on show in the V&A Museum along with many other public and private collections.
Increasingly, price and demand has dictated that decoration be applied in more speedy and mechanised processes, and this is where stamping and rolling come into play. These are processes that can be applied on both small and large-scale production runs to save time and reduce the cost of the finished items, but these are also techniques that can be easily be utilised at home.
Texturing Metal with Stamping
Traditionally carried out using a weighted fly press to force metal into a shaped mould, decorative metal stamping can be carried out by simply using a shaped punch and a hammer. Patterns can be built up and names and phrases quickly applied, then enhanced using a black marker pen or stamping enamel.
Texture punches from ImpressArt are part of the Cooksongold range, and are ideal for creating a patterned finish in quick time – you can choose from sets of four, or buy them individually to create your desired effect.
Texturing Metal Using Hammers
A ’hammered’ finish has been used to decorate silverware for centuries and is applied after the main shape had been raised, using a small ball pein (or peen) hammer with a rounded end. This is struck onto the surface using a series of blows to create a gentle dimpled pattern, rather than planishing which achieves a smooth finish and requires a flat head.
It is now also possible to buy specific texturing hammers that have patterns ground into the heads, allowing you to apply a pattern without the need for a punch. Many are double sided meaning you will get two textures in one hammer.
Texturing Precious Metal Clay
With the introduction of Art Clay (Silver Clay) into the jeweller’s arsenal of materials, achieving a surface texture has never been easier. You can literally use anything you have to hand to roll onto the clay or push into the surface to achieve an interesting finish.
If, however you are short of inspiration, there are a series of brass textured plates available which will quickly achieve a pattern on an otherwise plain piece of clay. Designs include daisies, pebbles and flowers to give an organic feel to your metal clays. Just remember to coat the plate with a layer of Badger Balm or olive oil to avoid any sticky situations!
Texturing Metal with a Rolling Mill
For those lucky enough to own a rolling mill, applying subtle textures to flat sheet can be a breeze. You need to take care of the surface of your rolls, so the item being placed between them needs to be softer than the metal sheet itself, and obviously, softer than the steel rolls. However, with a little imagination there are countless possibilities. Leaf skeletons and hessian work well providing your metal is fully annealed, but really the sky is the limit.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of metal texturing tools, and there are many other bits, burrs and formers to experiment with if you are after an interesting finish to your work. Why not browse through our range of jewellery tools and take your designs to the next level? It’s probably a lot easier than you might imagine!
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