How to Engrave a Whiskey Glass

You can personalize a plain whiskey glass with engraving.

An engraved whiskey, wine, or highball glass makes a great present, and is a great way to personalize a glass collection. Glass engraving is also an enjoyable hobby and is fairly straightforward to learn. Glass engraving does not require many specialized tools or materials, and you can get started with inexpensive glasses you already own or practice glasses purchased secondhand. With the right tools and a little practice, you can engrave a whiskey glass in a home workshop in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Practice glass Whiskey glass Glass engraving tool with a carbide tip (available at hobby shops) Dust mask Safety glasses Dark cloth Non-skid vinyl Clamp Wax crayon Spray adhesive (optional) Rag

Instructions

1. Staple or tack a piece of non-skid vinyl to your work surface. Clamp a practice glass to the vinyl surface. Be careful not to over-tighten the clamp, as the glass may break.

2. Stuff a dark cloth into the glass to make your design easier to see.

3. Sketch a design onto the surface of the glass with a wax crayon or trace a ready-made design (such as printed fabric, wallpaper, a leaf, or a drawing) by inserting the design to be traced into the glass, between the glass and the dark cloth. Hold the design in place with spray adhesive.

4. Outline your design with the glass engraving tool, holding the tool so that the weight of the tool rests against the glass. The tool cuts the glass by vibrating, so don’t expect to be able to follow your design exactly at first. The tool will also respond to the curved surface of the glass, so you may have difficulty controlling the tool during the first attempt.

5. Pause your work frequently to wipe the accumulated glass dust away from the glass. When you feel comfortable with the operation of the engraving tool, repeat the procedure with your whiskey glass.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a dust mask and safety glasses when engraving glass.

References

• Home Envy: Do-It-Yourself Engraving

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish