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0.7 mm. Thick enough to stand etching, and much thicker than most of the stamped badges I've handled.
I did quite a bit with Corel Draw and a Gravograph laser before retirement (ex Technology teacher) but it was too long ago to call in any favours, hence the hand crafted approach.
If you can find commercially produced polished brass sheet for engraving, it often has a paper layer on one side to prevent scratching, and a lacquer layer to prevent tarnishing - the lacquer comes off nicely under a laser, and works better as an etch resist than any spray paint I've tried. Admittedly this was resisting ferric chloride in a bubble tank - possibly salt water is less aggressive?
MrE
@Big_Block
just seen this thread.
Over the last few days I have been researching the electro-etching. Good to see your excellent result.
I have designed my badge in Illustrator and plan to spray paint the brass, then remove the area to be etched with a laser etcher owned by someone I know. Then the salt water electrolysis etching. For colours I plan to paint some of the etched areas black and try my hand with jewellers enamelling for a red glass like finish in the remaining etched area.
What thickness was the brass you used to start with?