How to Do Glass Etching

Glass etching can be done on large or small surfaces.

Whether you are creating personalized wine glasses as favors for party guests or adding to your decor, glass etching is adds character to any piece of glass. You can use virtually any stencil design to etch glass; make stencils with names and personal graphics by hand or with a programmable die cutting machine; and create works of art to give, keep or sell.

Things You'll Need

• Glass item
• Glass cleaner
• Vinyl stencil
• Measuring tape
• Painters tape
• Utility knife
• Etching cream
• Latex or vinyl gloves
• Hand held squeegee
• Foam brush
• Dish soap
• Rags or paper towel

Instructions

1. Clean the glass item with the glass cleaner and dry thoroughly. This rids the glass surface of any soil or oil that could hinder the etching cream's effectiveness.

2. Measure and mark where you want the design on the glass item. If the item is convex or concave the stencil can be manipulated to fit on the surface using a utility knife and squeegee around the circular area. The flattest area on the glass is ideal for stencil placement.

3. Peel the backing off of the vinyl stencil and carefully place it on the marked area of the glass. Use the squeegee to smooth the stencil and remove any air bubbles. Tape off additional areas that you do not want to be etched on the stencil or on the edges of the stencil. Use the utility knife to cut the tape or stencil if needed.

4. Apply the etching cream to the exposed glass on the stenciled area. Wear gloves and carefully apply a liberal amount of etching cream to the glass with the foam brush, dabbing it on. Do not get the etching cream on any other glass area, tiles or ceramics. Check the instructions on the etching cream for the amount of time to wait after the application. Most have a 15 minute wait time.

5. Wipe the etching cream off of the glass item with rags or paper towel. Avoid smearing the cream on any other part of the glass item in this process. Dispose of the rags or paper towel. Clean glass thoroughly with dish soap and water.

6. Remove the stencil and dispose of it. Clean the glass with glass cleaner for a finished item.

References

• Glass Etching: How to Etch Glass Guide
• Egress Etch: How to Etch Glass

Resources

• Revolutionary New Glass Etching Kits: With Reusable Dura-Film Stencils You Make On Your Computer