How to Etch Glass

DIY Glass Etching

A Unique & Sentimental Guy Gift

One thing you should know about me … I am obsessed with DIYs. If I find something I like at a store and I think I can make it myself, you better believe I will try to make it myself! A few years back I was looking for the perfect ‘guy’ gift and I stumbled upon Collegiate Etched Glasses … and so my journey of Glass Etching began.

In November, Paolo and I celebrated an anniversary and I wanted to give him a sentimental-beer gift {because we love trying new craft beers}. So I decided to etch beer glasses with the different vacations our love has taken us on.

How to Etch Glass

What You Need :
  • Something Glass {the flatter the surface the easier it will be … wine glasses are quite difficult}
  • Glass Etching Cream
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Adhesive Paper {I purchased this at Marshall’s}
  • States to Trace {I printed mine off of the internet}

How to Etch Glass

STEPS:

1. Clean the Surface of the Glass thoroughly

2. Cut out a square of Adhesive Paper about twice the size of your shape

3. On the square trace the shape with the X-Acto Knife – ensuring the cut goes completely through the paper

4. Once you have the Shape completely cut out, peel off the sticky side

5. Place the Adhesive Paper on the glass surface ensuring that the edge of the cutout has no bubbles {firmly press down the cutout to the glass … it is ok if you have winkles elsewhere}

How to Etch Glass

6. Cut out tiny hearts and place them firmly in the location of the city

How to Etch Glass

7. Pour a generous amount of the Etching Cream into a bowl {*note* do not use a glass bowl}

DIY Glass Etching

7. Lather on the Etching Cream {with the brush provided} over the cutouts. You want the Cream to be thick to ensure the etching process completes successfully. {*Note* if there are any bubbles where the cutout meets the glass the Etching Cream will leak through and cause jagged lines}  DIY Glass Etching

8. Leave the cream on the glass for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off… and you are done! The glass is now dishwasher safe.How to Etch Glass

12 Comments

  1. December 4, 2014 / 8:03 am

    This is awesome – I didn’t even know this is something you can DIY. I’m not the most crafty person, but I really want to give it a try. I bet it would look cool on a framed piece of glass, too. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    xo, Brittney

    The Storm Life

  2. December 4, 2014 / 3:57 pm

    What a cute idea – so creative!! I had no idea etching could be done as a DIY 🙂 This may be a dumb question but, what did you use to trace the states or did you do it free-hand?

    –Kelly & Meg
    http://www.peachtreeroadies.com

  3. Maria
    December 4, 2014 / 7:01 pm

    We love the etched glasses you made for us 🙂

  4. December 5, 2014 / 10:32 am

    I LOVE THIS! You need to open an Etsy store, it’s confirmed, you are Martha Stewart! I think that is so sweet that you made him all those glasses with the places you guys have vacationed too! So romantic and lovely! I bet he loved it!

    Cynthia
    http://www.sensiblysharp.com

  5. December 5, 2014 / 1:16 pm

    This is such a great DIY! I absolutely love it!! XO

    Anna
    alilyloveaffair.com

  6. December 8, 2014 / 6:23 pm

    What !!! Is it that simple?? AHHHH this changes so many things ! 🙂

    Lovely DIY. I also love DIYs 🙂

  7. December 12, 2014 / 2:44 pm

    I’m sorry, this is awesome. You are so creative! What an easy to follow DIY, too, and perfect for the holidays!

  8. Linda Manns Linneman
    July 7, 2015 / 3:39 pm

    These are so cute. This would make a great project. Thank you so much for sharing