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An easy to follow DIY etched glass tutorial!
I’ve been having a lot of fun with DIY glass etching lately, it’s so addicting! If you’ve never tried it, this is actually something you can easily do at home. It’s super easy and cheap!
There are so many possibilities of what you can make and these make great gifts. It doesn’t have to be wine glasses, you can etch anything glass… mason jars, beer mugs, trifle bowls, candles, etc… Just follow my DIY etched glass tutorial and sit back and admire the beautiful etched glass that you made!
Materials for DIY Etched Glass Tutorial:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and/or Cricut.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text).
- Armor Etch Cream
- Glass of your choice – I buy a lot of my wine glasses from the Dollar Tree
- vinyl – I use Oracal 631
- Transfer Tape
- Cricut cutting machine– always check prices between Cricut.com and Amazon (click links to compare!)
- paintbrush
So, let’s get started!!
Update: I now have a much more detailed glass etching tutorial with a video tutorial and how to design a Monogram to etch into glass here.
Etching Glass DIY: Preparing Your Stencil
First thing you’ll want to do is cut out your design on vinyl. I use my Cricut but you can use any cutting machine, buy something off Etsy or even use stickers.
For this project, we are using the vinyl as a stencil so you will want to weed OUT the design. You’ll want to leave a 1/2 inch to an inch of vinyl around the design so the cream doesn’t run over. Here’s my design weeded out with my Cricut weeding tool.
Apply transfer tape to your vinyl and then apply it to the glass where you want it. With rounded surfaces, I usually make slits around the edge to make sure it lays down flatter. I pull on the vinyl a little and stick it down really tight. Press all around to make sure it is really stuck everywhere!
Then you can take off the transfer tape.
Since some of the edges weren’t very thick I added some painters tape around to keep the cream from touching the glass where I don’t want it!
Then you’re going to apply the etch cream. Make sure you do this in a ventilated area, it’s pretty smelly!
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Glass Etching Tutorial
Dip a paintbrush into the cream and dab it onto the design. Make sure there is enough to cover the exposed area but not so much that it drips.
These were some mason jars that I made for my daughter’s 13th birthday party for all the guests to use as cups.
Sometimes I will turn the glasses upside down halfway through if they seem to be running a little. I leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
You can scrape some of the etch cream off with the paintbrush to put extra back in the bottle if you want. Then take it to a sink and rinse off the cream with soap and water.
Peel off the vinyl and wash the whole glass. Then hold it up in the light and admire your DIY etched glass masterpiece! I’ve made quite a few lately.
For these DIY etched glass wine tumblers, I put etching all the way around so it’s kind of hard to take a picture of since you see both sides!!
Along with the DIY glass etching wine glass, I also made a How to Tell Time board. (click link for tutorial)
If you’d like to find out all the wonderful things a Cricut can do, check out my Cricut resource guide here!
If you’d like to save this tutorial for later, make sure to PIN it now. Just hover over the top left of the image below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!
Donna says
I don’t have the machine,where can I buy vinyl with flowers or anything so I can do it. Thank you very much
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Donna, you can find a bunch of decals sold on Etsy. You could probably get personalized ones too there.
Islia says
The Armour Etch must be baked to be permanent.?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
No, once it’s left on and then rinsed off it’s permanent!
Lee says
How did you get the etch so bright with the Armour etch I’ve done a few they look okay but not as bright as yours.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Lee, I left mine for about 20 minutes but it really depends on the lighting on how dark they look. I would also figure out a way to make it darker or even a different color, but I haven’t yet!
Judy says
I saw on YouuTube someone used oil base paint and rubbed on the etching and wiped it off the glass to brighten the etching. I haven’t tried it yet.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Thanks for the tip! I will have to try it!
Kari says
I absolutely love the stencil used in this tutorial! I never see anything with my name spelt the same!! 🙂
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Another Kari! You know, it’s funny, since I’ve known my friend Kari since high school that I always think it’s weird when it’s spelled a different way!
Tracy says
Do you have to prep the glass before you start etching ? Like with alcohol or just wash it with soap and waster.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Yes, I do make sure to wash it with soap and water to make sure it’s nice and clean!
Jill says
How do I take my image and print it on my Cricut so it is a stencil for etching? The Cricut machine is new to me!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
You’ll need to cut it out of a vinyl. Once it’s in design space, size it to how big you want it, then cut out of adhesive vinyl. Weed out the actual design itself so it becomes a stencil!
Patti says
I’ve never done this before my son is getting married this October old love to do beer pints I don’t have any fancy machines to do names what ours be the easiest lettering for names
Leap of Faith Crafting says
HI Patti, I’m honestly not sure. I’m not sure if there are stencil letter stickers that would work. You need something that adheres to the glass well so the etching cream doesn’t bleed under.
Carol says
I would think the orcas 631 vinyl would stick to the glass. So you are able to remove it with no problem?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Yes! It’s only on for 20 minutes or so. Vinyl takes days to fully cure and become really adhesive.
Taylor P says
Looks great! Do you mind telling me how you got such a good photograph? I have such a hard time photographing my etched glasses!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Taylor, thank you!! It is so hard to take pictures of etched glass. I somehow got it at the right angle with the glass held up in front of a plant in my backyard on a bright sunny day. I took the picture with my phone (Samsung), probably on portrait setting, but I can’t remember for sure. Good luck!
Karen says
Hi, I am planning on etching on a mirror. Any tips?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Karen, Just make sure to not getting any etch cream on the side of your stencil. If it’s not big enough, add extra blue tape around it to ensure no spill over. Good luck!
Jeanette says
My etching is too light. It is hard to see I left it on for 1 hour. I also bought Rub n Buff. What do you suggest?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Unfortunately, etching is pretty light. From what I’ve read, it’s only going to get so dark no matter how long you leave it on. I’ve tried to paint it or add dye with it but haven’t had any success. I’ve never used Rub n Buff. You’ll have to let me know how that is!
Stephanie says
For this 10 oz bottle of Armor Etch cream, how many glasses with a design similar to the size with the flower and name can you get out of 1 bottle. I am thinking to make several Christmas gifts with names etched on the side or bottom of casserole glass dishes. I’m not sure how many bottles I might need to order from Amazon.
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Stephanie, a little goes a long way! I think one bottle would be fine if you’re only doing a few things. I have a 22oz bottle and I have only used 1/4 of it so far. Make sure to scrape the extra back into the bottle. I’m sure the recipients will love them!
Linda Collrin says
Finally a site that shows how to etch without making dots all over but getting a clean etched product. You have made my etching days much easier and now a cleaner design. Thank you
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Linda!! I am so glad that my tutorial helped!! Etching is so fun to do, but I definitely had some blotchiness on my first few attempts! Thanks for stopping by!
Vicki says
Hello. Where did you find the iris pattern? Thank you. Vicki
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Vicki, it is a Hawaiian flower that I found under google images. Hope that helps! Thanks! Amy
Kathy says
Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the etching cream sneaking thru little places, especially on wine glasses? I etch alot and have issues even when I make sure all is pressed down. Would like to know if u have any tips
Leap of Faith Crafting says
That sneaky etch can get in there! I just make sure it’s pressed down very securely and see no bubbles on the inside or outside. What kind of vinyl are you using?? That may play a part too. Try using a permanent / oracal 651 to see if it seals better.
Michelle Long says
OK I like how easy this looks, I’m getting married in September do you think This would work on a shadow box…
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Michelle! Congrats!! It will work on any kind of glass. I’ve never tried it on a shadow box so I’m not sure how well it shows up. You might have to put a light or something behind it to make it stand out more. If you’re using it for decoration, maybe you can put some rose petals or balls at the bottom with some electronic tea light or even drill a hole in the back and put in fairy lights. I’m just brainstorming with you! I’ve never tried it but now I want to!! I’ll let you know when I do!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Valerie says
I just bought some Armour Etch to try and the instructions say to leave it on for 60 seconds only. Your tutorial says to leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Will it wreck the glass if air leave it on that long?
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Valerie, I’ve never had in issue. The armor etch will only etch a certain amount so it doesn’t harm the glass. I don’t get a very deep etch with only a minute, but you can try both and see which you prefer!
Amanda says
Love the tutorial and the font! Do you know the name of the font? Thank you!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Amanda, thanks so much! The font is Samantha! One of my favorites since it has so many alternate letters. You can usually find a coupon to get a discount on it.
Bonnie says
Beautiful crafting. I just started etching, I bought a cricut a couple of weeks ago. It is a wonderful tool for a creative mind!! Keep on crafting!
Bonnie
Diane Hauser says
Does etching work on stainless steel?
Thanks!
Leap of Faith Crafting says
Hi Diane, I have wondered the same thing and from what I can read you can not use Armor Etch on stainless steel. You’d need a sand blaster or other chemicals for stainless steel. I have yet to try it though! Thanks for checking out my blog!