How to Monogram Glass Etching

Personalize a wedding gift with an etched monogram.

Etch a monogram on a set of delicate wine glasses or a mirror for an elegant wedding or anniversary gift. Etching cream works well to etch a monogram and is inexpensive and easy to use as well as readily available at hobby and craft stores. Etching cream uses fluorine as an etching agent, usually in the form of bifluoride, which is a relatively safe compound that leaves an evenly frosted finish.

Things You'll Need

• Glass
• Lint-free paper towels
• Glass cleaner (silicone- and ammonia-free)
• Resist (vinyl or rubber)
• Monogram design
• Pen or pencil
• Sharp utility knife
• Burnishing tool
• Foam or regular paintbrush
• Etching cream
• Water
• Latex or nitrile gloves

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the glass object using lint-free paper towels so the resist will stick. Do not use any glass cleaner that contains silicone because the resist won't stick to the glass well and do not clean mirrors with glass cleaner that contains ammonia because it causes the silver backing to deteriorate.

2. Apply the resist to the glass object, making sure no bubbles form under the area where the monogram will be etched.

3. Draw or trace the monogram design on the resist.

4. Cut out the areas you want etched using a sharp utility knife.

5. Burnish down the edges of the resist along the cut design so the etching cream doesn't seep underneath and smear the lines.

6. Apply the etching cream to the glass object following the manufacturer's instructions. This usually requires the use of either a foam or regular paintbrush.

7. Rinse the etching cream off the glass object as instructed by the manufacturer.

8. Remove the resist and clean the glass object.

Tips & Warnings

• Use latex or nitrile gloves to avoid skin contact with the etching cream.

References

• "Etched Glass Techniques & Designs"; Norm and Ruth Dobbins; 1998
• Etchmaster.com: Chemical Etching
• Glass Etching Secrets; Etching Glass Steps Tutorial; Eric Robert