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DIY Etched Glass Easy Step by Step Tutorial!

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!

DIY etched glass tutorial

Materials for DIY Etched Glass Tutorial:

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So, let’s get started!!

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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.

DIY glass etching tutorial

Apply transfer tape to your vinyl and then apply it to the glass where you want it.  

Tip: 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!

DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial

Then you can take off the transfer tape.

DIY etched glass tutorial

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!

DIY etched glass tutorial

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

DIY etched glass 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.

DIY etched glass tutorial

These were some mason jars that I made for my daughter’s 13th birthday party for all the guests to use as cups.

DIY etched glass tutorial

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.

DIY etched glass tutorial

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.

DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial

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!!

DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial
DIY etched glass tutorial

Along with the DIY glass etching wine glass, I also made a How to Tell Time board. (click link for tutorial)

how to tell time DIY 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 on etching glass for later, make sure to PIN it now.  Just hover over the top left of the image below.

etched wine glasses diy

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

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diy etched wine glass tutorial

Yas

Tuesday 14th of February 2023

Very detailed information on how to etch a wine glass.

Kathie

Sunday 29th of November 2020

Is there a reason you used Oracle 631 vs Oracle 651

Leap of Faith Crafting

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

I find it a little easier to peel off, but you could use either. It's only on the glass for 20 minutes or so, so you'll be able to peel off either of them!

Donna

Monday 13th of July 2020

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

Tuesday 14th of July 2020

HI Donna, you can find a bunch of decals sold on Etsy. You could probably get personalized ones too there.

Islia

Sunday 28th of June 2020

The Armour Etch must be baked to be permanent.?

Leap of Faith Crafting

Monday 29th of June 2020

No, once it's left on and then rinsed off it's permanent!

Lee

Thursday 9th of April 2020

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

Sunday 26th of April 2020

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!

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