Hi Glen,
Nope, no trade secret. I didnt come up with it myself. Its easy enough on damascus if you polish the blade to 2000 grit and have a stencil made with an oval around your name.
Etch the makers mark on and put finger nail polish over the oval to resist the ferric cloride etching. Be careful not to rub off finger nail polish during the etching process. Easy as pie and easy to read the makers mark.