How to Make Your Own Pub Mirror Sign
The most dramatic mirror pub signs combine etching of both the front and back surfaces and some combination of backlighting, metallic leaf, transparent theater gels and paint. You can etch glass with chemicals or with the traditional method of blasting the surface with abrasives. Many art glass shops will rent blast etching equipment by the hour and you can purchase chemicals at hobby or glass stores. Although once done completely by hand, you can now use computer graphics software to generate images for making masks.
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Things You'll Need
- Mirror glass
- Translucent layout paper
- Masking film
- Spray adhesive
- Sharp hobby knife
- Computer graphics software
- Etching equipment
- Etching abrasive
- Glass etching cream
- Transparent theater gels
- Sign paint
- Metallic leaf
- Backlight source
- Mirror frame
Instructions
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Prepare Etching Mask by Hand
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1
Sketch a plan for the sign on translucent layout paper. Remember that both front and back surfaces are available. Refine the final sketch and enlarge it to fit the exact size of the sign. Stick to lettering and shapes that will be visible from a distance.
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2
Peel off the backing of self-adhesive glass masking material large enough for the image to be etched and affix it to the cleaned glass surface.
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3
Spray adhesive on the back side of the finished sign design and adhere it firmly to the top of the masking material.
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4
Using a sharp hobby knife, cut through both the paper with the sign design and the masking material underneath and remove both to expose the portions of glass to be etched.
Prepare Etching Mask with Computer Graphics Program
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Obtain information about the type of computer graphics files and the settings needed for a glass company to cut computer generated etching masks. Enter the dimensions of the sign desired and the settings into a computer graphics program that can generate the type of files required.
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Design the sign in the graphics program. Save the files to a disc or thumb drive and take them to the glass company to make the masks.
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Affix the masks to clean glass surfaces and peel away the areas to be etched.
Etch and Finish the Sign
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Blast etch both sides of the sign or have the glass company do so. Specify the level of etching desired. The image on the back reflective side of the mirror can be rendered near transparent or with a frosted look depending on how deep the abrasive etches. The depth the abrasive cuts on the front side of the sign can be controlled as well and elaborate carved effects can be achieved.
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Chemical etch using glass etching cream per the manufacturer’s instructions. Chemical etching will only work on the clear glass front of the sign and will not yield the control over the depth of etching that blast etching will.
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Remove the masking material and finish the sign with paint or metallic leaf as desired by outlining or filling in lettering or shapes. Backlight signs with the mirrored surface etched away and use colored gels for added color if desired.
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Frame the finished mirror for both presentation and protection purposes and to provide space for backlighting if being used.
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Tips & Warnings
Flop the image for the back of the sign so it will read correctly from the front when etched.
When blast etching, cover any areas not already covered with masking material with thick paper to prevent damage from overspray of the blasted abrasives.
Sign shops offer an etched-looking vinyl material that can be cut out from computer generated files and applied to the front surfaces of a mirror as an alternative to traditional etching.
Blast etching is not complicated but the abrasives can cut very quickly and ruin a piece of mirror glass. Practice on a small sample first or have a glass etching company do the actual work.
Always wear protective masks, eyewear and gloves when working with glass.
