Ferric Nitrate Crystals

[misspond]

For resist I use Sharpie oil paint pen, nail varnish (and use nail decoration plates to add random designs) and have used Staz-On ink but that tends to float away too quickly for my liking. I've yet to play with toner ink direct from paper or with PnP and transparencies/UV light - but they're all on my list and sitting on a shelf waiting for me to have a go. As Dennis says you can attach your metal to polystyrene to float it in the solution, and for rings and tube I use a length of dental floss attached with gaffer tape to the sides of the outer tub.
Wooden chopsticks or coffee stirrers are handy for a bit of gentle agitation/general poking/lifting things out, and don't forget a good supply of bicarb for neutralising at the end (although I'm sure you've done your homework and know all of this)

[joella]

Hi vsilvered
Now you are just showing me up as I’m too lazy to go down the electro etching route, it has always seemed like it would be such a faff - probably should though, if it’s more environmentally friendly.
Yes misspond, I was planning on polystyrene islands using double sided sticky tape. I don’t like stays on much either, doesnt seem all that appropriately named to me. Dental floss is a good idea, i’ll remember that. Everyone seems out of stock of the oil based sharpies just now (bizarre). Think I’m gonna try transparencies cos if I can get that to work I won’t have to bother with the v expensive, short shelf life of the pnp.