--- title: What is Chemical Etching Process? The Chemical Etching Process Explained. description: Chemical Etching process includes Cleaning, Laminating, Exposing, Developing, Etching, and Stripping, after which inspection is automatically carried out. image: https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hubfs/CMM2.jpg --- - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [help center](https://help.vecoprecision.com/knowledge) [![Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Veco-logo-black-rgb-0072.png)](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [electroforming technology](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/) - [what is Electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/what-is-electroforming/) - [Electroforming process](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-process/) - [capabilities and applications](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-capabilities-and-applications/) - [Electroforming materials](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/materials-used-in-electroforming/) - [similar technologies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-vs-other-technologies/) - [case studies](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/electroforming-cases/) - [design guidelines](https://www.vecoprecision.com/design-guideline/) - [company](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [about us](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/) - [markets we serve](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/markets/) - [career](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/careers/) - [co-develop with Veco](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/work-with-veco/) - [quality](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/quality/) - [products](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/) - [micro nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/micro-nozzle-plates/) - [inkjet nozzle plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/inkjet-nozzle-plates/) - [nebulizer plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/nebulizer-plates/) - [encoder discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/encoder-discs/) - [MEMS probes](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/mems-probes/) - [test socket pins](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-socket-pins/) - [electrodes for hydrogen production](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/electrodes-for-hydrogen-production/) - other products - [flow discs](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/flow-discs/) - [sugar screens](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/sugar-screens/) - [coffee filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/coffee-filters/) - [leaf filters](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/leaf-filters/) - [shaver foils](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/shaver-foils/) - [hearing aid components](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/hearing-aid-components/) - [aperture plates](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/aperture-plates/) - [test contactors](https://www.vecoprecision.com/products/test-contactors/) - [contact](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-veco-1) - [Home](https://www.vecoprecision.com) - [Blog](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) - What is Chemical Etching Process? The Chemical Etching Process Explained. [Back to overview](https://insights.vecoprecision.com) # What is Chemical Etching Process? The Chemical Etching Process Explained. Feb 6, 2018 7:00:00 AM [By Hua Fan](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/author/hua-fan) [Chemical Etching](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/chemical-etching) process can be concluded in a series of steps including Cleaning, Laminating, Exposing, Developing, Etching, and Stripping, after which rigorous inspection is automatically carried out on all components. ![Etching process.jpg](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Etching%20process.jpg?width=710&height=136&name=Etching%20process.jpg) ## What is Chemical Etching Process? A 3D video tour through the whole process See below a 3D animated video of the [Chemical Etching](https://www.vecoprecision.com/technologies/chemical-etching) process. To learn more about detailed process of Chemical Etching, [download the Whitepaper Chemical Etching here](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/en/whitepaper-chemical-etching).   ## What is Chemical Etching Process? A step-by-step Explanation ### (1) Cleaning  The material is cleaned to remove all surface contamination. This provides a suitable surface for resist adhesion later in the process. ### (2) Laminating The cleaned metal 'blank' is then coated with a light-sensitive photoresist in a Class 6 clean room. ![Photo Chemical Etching](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-1.png?width=260&name=image-1.png) ### (3) Exposing The metal sheet is then exposed to ultra violet light, which hardens the photoresist. *We use the LDI (Laser Direct Imaging) technology which is far more accurate than traditional photo tooling. The LDI Imager is capable of projecting high resolution images directly from a CAD file. In this way photo masks become redundant, which significantly reduces costs and decreases lead time.* ### (4) Developing Unexposed areas are developed away, leaving bare metal. ### (5) Etching Etching solution is sprayed on both sides of the metal at high pressure. This accurately removes the unwanted metal. ### (6) Stripping The resist is removed in the end to leave behind burr and stress free components. To know more about the Chemical Etching technology, feel free to [talk to one of our engineers](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-engineer), or [download our free Whitepaper Chemical Etching](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/en/whitepaper-chemical-etching).  [![DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1788947/45c0b585-70e0-4b04-85bf-e2740ae9d4fb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1788947/45c0b585-70e0-4b04-85bf-e2740ae9d4fb) ### Contact us **Take the final step in becoming an innovative force in your industry.** [contact](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-veco-1) ### Contact us **Take the final step in becoming an innovative force in your industry.** [contact](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/contact-veco-1) ### Blog subjects - [Technology](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/topic/technology) - [Chemical Etching](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/topic/chemical-etching) - [Automotive](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/topic/automotive) ### Download whitepaper [Chemical Etching whitepaper](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/whitepaper-chemical-etching) ### Get the latest insights ## Related blogs Jul 6, 2026 12:32:14 PM ### The Power of Electroforming from Veco in Precision Filtration: Unlocking Superior Performance and Reliability Sep 6, 2024 9:15:00 AM ### when to choose Electroforming over traditional manufacturing methods: a cost-effectiveness perspective Oct 6, 2023 11:00:00 AM ### Electroforming for Engineers: key features and capabilities of Electroforming technology contact Karel van Gelreweg 22 6961 LB Eerbeek Netherlands [T: +31 (0)313 672 911](tel:+31313672911) [E: veco-info@idexcorp.com](mailto:veco-info@idexcorp.com) services [electroforming](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/) [co-development](https://www.vecoprecision.com/work-with-veco/) [design guideline](https://www.vecoprecision.com/electroforming/design-guideline/) [quality](https://www.vecoprecision.com/about-us/quality/)   - [Privacy statement](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/privacy-statement/) - [Disclaimer](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/disclaimer/) - [Terms and conditions](https://insights.vecoprecision.com/terms-and-conditions/) an [![IDEX Corporation](https://www.vecoprecision.com/wp-content/themes/veco/img/idex-corporation-logo.svg)](https://www.idexcorp.com/) platform 2025 - © Veco B.V.