Glass etching is a great hobby to have but if you’re thinking that it’s a difficult hobby to master, then let me show you how easy and rewarding glass etching is.

First you need to find a pattern to follow for your glass etching.

It could be just letters or an image or both.  I actually found these online somewhere and cut the stencil from their outline.

What I did was put two different patterns together with a computer software and then included my name for a personal touch.  Also, you can etch glass from the front side or the backside. I chose to etch it from the back side so I needed to make the stencil backwards.

etching stencil

• Second, I cut the pattern out on a piece of vinyl and placed the stencil down on the glass.  You can use a lot of different materials such as contact paper.
• Always make sure you clean the glass with alcohol or windex to remove dirt and oils. This will ensure the stencil is intact.
• Once in place, mask the outside of the stencil to make sure areas that you don’t want etched, not to be exposed.

sandblast etching

• Then etch the glass with either etching cream or using the sandblasting technique.
• I chose to sandblast it because there are a lot of advantages to using it.

after etching glass

• When the exposed areas seem to be evenly etched,  you can then start to remove the masking tape and stencil.
• Pry and pick off smaller stencil pieces with a hobby knife. It makes it much easier.

completed etching

• The final step is to just clean up the glass, removing any abrasive or etching cream.
• All you need to do is wash the glass with water and clean with a rag.

And that is about all it takes to etch glass, easy isn’t it!

It’s fairly easy, quick, and allows you to personalize any type of glass.

There are lots of possibilities and here are just a few that come to mind: you can etch glass ornaments for Christmas, shower door glass, glass mirrors, glass mugs, your car glass, and your glass food cabinets.

glass etching equipment

Yes of course you can spend a small fortune on expensive glass etching equipment, but you don’t have to!

My new book Glass Etching Secrets, second edition has just been released and it’s full of equipment cost saving tips and other glass etching secrets, hence the title.

NOTE: If you’ve recently bought the 1st edition, be sure to ask me for the new and updated version of Glass Etching Secrets. Its updated with more information and pictures to help you follow along to help you get started with your new hobby.

If you fancy a glass based hobby you can find Eric and lots of other useful glass techniques, etching stencils and lots more over at his website Glass Etching Secrets, where else!

Breaking Glass

Just for fun… a personal glass slumping disaster:

I hope this hobby tutorial has helped spark some creativity and feel free to leave a comment below.