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This is a lightweight version of PCB etching. Fat (or other e.g. sharpie) as the resist, aluminum foil instead of copper clad board, and cola as the etchant.

If you like this process and are into electronics, you should check out the process of creating your own printed circuit boards at home!

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I used to go through the trouble of etching boards at home working with fairly nasty chemicals long ago. However the ease, speed and low cost of ordering PCBs nowadays means I can no longer justify to myself the time, trouble and danger especially with a kid in the house. Much better to get a prototyping shop to do it and send you.

You can use sodium hydroxyde as an echtant. It doesn't turn everything it touches into stickiness like cola does.

At least with copper, you can also etch using vinegar and salt. I've done that a couple of times when I didn't have ferric chloride, and while it's slow it works just fine.

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