You can 'photoetch' brass by making your own drawing (largish) and then getting your local copy shop to make a (smaller) transparency on film to the right size………..The brass is polished and then covered with a light-sensitive, acid resist ,..the transparency placed on top, and the assembly then exposed to sunshine for about 5 or so mins. The brass plate is then 'developed' in a solution that washes away unexposed resist andn then the brass is etched in acid….
The lettering and design can be filled with black to give nice contrast later.
If you visit the well known clock making site at clickspring.weebly you will find one of his excellen vids shows the entire operation….however, if you have any problems then I can send you a magazine article from a clock magazine if you wish……….Good Luck!