Transform ordinary copper pipe into elegant table accessories with this detailed guide on how to make napkin rings.
Time A few hours
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$20-50
Introduction
Make unique DIY napkin rings by turning hardware store copper pipe into stylish table accessories with this step-by-step project.
Family gatherings, holiday get-togethers, dinner parties for friends… it doesn’t matter the time of year or the event, customizing your dining table can be both a challenge and a lot of fun. Or, better yet, a fun challenge! You want to be creative and unique but not over-the-top kitschy. As far as I am concerned, napkin rings set the stage for any table. As I pondered how to create a one-of-a-kind napkin ring, I settled on copper etching and a patina solution for just the unique touch I desired. Handmade, warm, rustic, and fun to make using pre-cut copper pipe.
Once you gather all the elements required to make this project, it can be done in less than an hour and a half.  The other benefit is that once you figure out how easy it is to do copper etching, you will want to do it repeatedly. The technique is easily applied and can be incorporated into many shapes and forms. I promise these napkin rings will serve as a wonderful topic of conversation. Don’t forget to say, “Yes, I made them!”
Tools Required
- 2 - buckets
- Artist paint brush
- Denatured alcohol or alcohol swabs
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Permanent marker
- Plastic gloves
- Protective eyewear
Materials Required
- 1-1/2" x 2" copper pipe
- Citric Acid in powder form
- Clean shop rags
- clear spray sealer
- Copper Patina
- Duct tape
- Ferric chloride
Project step-by-step (8)
Step 1
Prep the copper pipe
To ensure that the napkins fit easily in the DIY napkin rings and to give you enough room to draw the design you desire, use copper pipes with at least 1/2-in. diameter by 2-in. length.
The copper must be free of dirt, oil, and fingerprints before etching. Oil residue is often left behind on pipes during manufacturing. Even oil on your fingers can compromise the etching process. To ensure your copper is free of oil and fingerprints, wipe it down with alcohol and a cotton rag. Packaged alcohol swabs also work great.
Step 2
Mask the inside of the copper pipe
To prevent the inside of the copper pipe from being eaten away and weakened by the ferric chloride, you must mask the area with a resist. A resist is a material that resists or seals out the ferric chloride, such as paint, permanent marker or duct tape.
If you choose paint or permanent marker, ensure it is completely dry before exposing it to the ferric chloride. If using duct tape, make sure it adheres well at the edges to prevent the ferric chloride from seeping in underneath. The ferric chloride will attack all parts of the copper that haven’t been protected or sealed. This is the biggest secret to etching—block what you want to keep and expose what you want to be etched.
Step 3
Draw your design
Draw your design on the copper pipe using a permanent marker. Your permanent marker’s tip size can either be your friend or your enemy. I find it easiest to start with the finest tip permanent marker I can find and build up the thickness of the lines. The permanent marker’s ink will protect the areas you wish to highlight, while the ferric chloride will consume the exposed copper, resulting in an embossed/debossed appearance.
If you are uncomfortable with your drawing skills, try using a flexible stamp and permanent ink to lay out your design.
Step 4
“Float” the copper
Now, it’s time to etch the copper. In order to obtain the best results, it is crucial to suspend the copper napkin rings in the etching solution, as the etching process creates sediment that sinks to the bottom and can affect the project.
The first step in this process is to find a large plastic tub or bucket. This bucket must be large enough to hold all of the copper pieces while they are suspended and deep enough so they can be completely submerged in the solution. Then, use duct tape to span the bucket and thread the copper napkin rings onto it so they will be submerged in the solution but suspended off the bottom.
Don a pair of plastic gloves and safety glasses. In a separate plastic tub, thoroughly mix enough ferric chloride to submerge copper napkin rings and a tablespoon of citric acid. The citric acid will increase the potency of the solution, resulting in less time for it to etch. Â Allow the copper to soak in the ferric chloride solution for an hour.
Step 5
Remove and rinse
After immersing the copper in ferric chloride for one hour, examine the depth of the etching. If you want the etching to be more pronounced or deeper, leave the copper in the solution for a longer period of time. Check back every 30 minutes until you are satisfied.
Once you have achieved the desired etching depth, remove the copper from the ferric chloride solution and rinse it under running water. Be sure to catch the rinsing water in a bucket or tub, as any etching solution that flows down the drain will eat at pipe fittings and drain lines.
Step 6
Clean and sand
With alcohol, remove the permanent marker from the inside of the copper pipe and on the surface of your design. Lightly sand along your design with fine-grit sandpaper (400-grit or finer) to reveal all of the etching.
Step 7
Apply the patina
Using a small brush, apply the patina solution and allow it to react with the copper for a few hours. Use the fine-grit sandpaper to sand back the high spots of your design and reveal the highs and lows between the shiny copper and the patina. Feel free to apply multiple layers of patina for a more dramatic effect.
Step 8
Apply a sealer
Seal the patina and copper with clear spray paint or polyurethane. This will prevent the patina from rubbing off on your napkin during your meal and keep the shiny copper bright instead of dulling as copper oxidizes. However, be aware that the sealer may dull the patina.
FAQ
Does the thickness or gauge of the copper matter when doing copper etching?
Ferric chloride will eat through copper by breaking it down with acidity. If your copper is too thin, you will lose strength and rigidity and you may end up with small holes in your copper. Always do a test to determine how deep you want your etching to go and how much time it will take to achieve desired etching effect.
Do all patinas react the same on copper?
No, different patinas will elicit different reactions to the copper, which will create different hues and intensities.  Always do a test before applying to the final piece. Humidity, temperature and many other variables may affect how the patina reacts and what it looks like in the end.
