DIY Engravers

Artistic expression through engraving.

You can use an engraver to create a design on stone, glass, ceramic and other hard and smooth surfaces. Most engravers are diamond tipped because diamonds are harder than most of the surfaces they etch. With a little bit of practice, you can create artistic, professional-looking results using your electric engraver. An easy first do-it-yourself engraving project is to etch on a clear glass plate.

Things You'll Need

• Large glass plate
• Black-and-white drawing or image
• Tape
• Electric engraver
• Removable diamond engraver tips (various sizes)
• Safety goggles or glasses
• Piece of black felt
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Find a royalty-free image or drawing that you like and put it underneath a glass plate. Tape it securely to the bottom of the plate.

2. Select a narrow and thin tip for the engraver. Thin tips are ideal for outlining whereas wider tips are best for shading. If the piece that you are engraving is rather large, you can select a wider tip for outlining and an even wider tip for shading.

3. Put on your safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.

4. Hold the engraver like a pen and angle it at about a 45- to 75-degree angle on the plate.

5. Turn on the engraver and trace the pattern onto the concave side of the plate using the tip of the engraver. Always work from the outside of the pattern inward. Press down firmly to outline and use light pressure and a wide tip to shade.

6. Remove the picture and replace it with black felt after tracing the pattern. Tape it securely to the bottom of the plate. The felt adds contrast to make it easier for you to finish shading the piece.

7. Wipe away the dust as you work using a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on a piece of scrap glass before using the engraver on a piece you’d like to save.

• If you hear your engraver squeaking, lighten up on your pressure.

References

• Inland Craft: Engraving with the EasyMark Electric Engraver
• Picture Framing magazine: Faux Glass Etching