Personalised glasses look stunning and make lovely gifts for everyone. They can be personalised in so many ways with designs, slogans or names. This was always a craft that I really wanted to try. As soon as I did, I was blown away at how easy it was and how amazing the end result was. keep reading to see just how to etch a glass using armour etch cream.
To carry out this craft you will need the following supplies:
A hiball glass (I found these were the best glasses to etch on) - Any Supermarket
Etching Cream ( I used Armour Etch cream)
Microfibre Cloth - wilkos/Home Bargains
Latex gloves - wilkos/Home Bargains
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
Choosing your design or text
Decide on a design or type out some text that you want to be on your glass. For my glass i just added some text that said “awesome crafter”.
To make the text I went into design space and opened a new canvas.
I then clicked on the text Icon on the left hand side of the canvas and started to type Awesome Crafter.
The font always defaults to cricut sans. In order to change the font click on the text box.
This allows you to search the different fonts that are available.
The font I used for my project was MacGuffin Jumble. You can use any text that you prefer.
Sizing the Design
Now the text is sorted it’s time to change the size so that it fits perfectly onto your glass. Measure your glass using your tape measure .
The size I used was 3’’ wide by 1.3’’ high. Before you change the size of your design attach your design together. Once attached this will change the size of the whole design to keep it within the size you require.
Select the whole design and click on attach in the bottom right corner.
To change the size of the text head up to the size box at the top of the canvas. Click in the box next to W and change the width.
Cricut will change the height to keep the design in proportion. If you require a different size for the height simply click on the padlock icon to unlock it.
This will allow you to now change the height to the height you require.
Next head up to the make it button in the top right of the screen and click on it.
Selecting the mat and material
Select how you will be cutting your materials. If you are cutting on the mat, select on the mat. Once selected cricut will pop a green box around that option. Press continue.
Now it will show you what your design will look like on the mat. As you are only using self-adhesive vinyl you won’t need to mirror the image. Click on the continue button in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Now you need to select your material. I always chose premium vinyl as I find that this setting works really well. I always set the pressure to more to make sure that I always get the best cut possible.
Press your self adhesive vinyl firmly onto your cutting mat. Load into your cricut using the flashing arrow button. Press the flashing cricut button on your machine and it will start cutting.
Removing vinyl and weeding
Once the vinyl has been cut remove it from the mat. The best way to remove the vinyl is to flip the mat over. Removing the mat from the vinyl will prevent the vinyl curling.
Trim round your design to save time weeding and vinyl.
Weed out all the letters so that you are left with a stencil that you are going to use on your glass.
Preparing the glass and stencil
To prepare your glass you need to make sure that the surface is clean and free from grease. To do this you need to dab your cloth with the rubbing alcohol and rub the part of the glass you are adding the design to.
Once all the letters are weeded cover the design with transfer tape and burnish well.
Remove carefully the backing of the vinyl making sure that all the vinyl is attached to the transfer tape.
Once the rubbing alcohol is dry apply your vinyl to the glass and burnish it well. Make sure that it is all stuck down really well so etching cream doesn’t get underneath the vinyl.
Burnish the vinyl onto the glass and remove the transfer tape.
Use your thumbs to smooth out any bubbles in the vinyl. Leaving no gaps between the glass and the vinyl. Using permanent self adhesive will allow it to stick better to the glass.
Etching Cream
Put on your gloves and shake the etching cream bottle really well. Carefully open the lid and using the paint brush paint the etching cream onto your design. Etching cream only works on glass products, so will not work on treated glass or pyrex.
Make sure you don’t go outside the design and if you do, carefully wipe with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Etching cream is permanent (and dishwasher safe). Keep painting the design continuously for 5 mins (I set a timer) making sure you paint in all directions to make sure the etching cream gets in all the corners.
After the 5 mins is up apply a generous layer of the etching cream and leave for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes is up wash off all the etching cream (making sure you wear the gloves). I used the paint brush to help wash off the etching cream.
Wash off the cream and remove the vinyl from the glass.
Some of the small pieces might be stuck on so just use the weeding tool to remove them.
Dry off your glass and you should see your etched design. Hopefully it will look perfect.
I really hoped you enjoyed reading this blog and discovering how to etch glass using armour etch cream. If you did enjoy my blog, please take a look at some of my other blogs:
How to layer heat transfer vinyl
How to apply heat transfer vinyl to burlap
Also check out my video below showing How To Etch A Glass Using Armour Etch Cream