How to Etch Glass With Cricut: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

A year ago, my daughter came and asked me to make a beautiful gift for her class teacher. I wasn’t really sure what and how to make things for her teacher. Then, the idea of etching glass with Cricut occurred to me. To be honest, I had worked on many projects using my Cricut, but I had no idea how to etch glass with Cricut. Initially, it was challenging, but today, I have created more than 10 projects that were all related to etching glass and acrylic.

Since I had learned and had good experience in this field, I thought of sharing it with my fellow crafters. Thus, I will show you how to etch on glass with Cricut. Etching is similar to engraving, but the only difference is that chemicals are used instead of sharp tools in etching. So, let’s look further into this blog to know the process of etching a glass.

What Do You Need for Cricut Etch Glass?

So we are finally going to learn how to etch glass with Cricut. For this, you will need some items that will be useful in etching. Let’s see what they are:

• Cricut machine
• Protective eyewear and gloves
• Vinyl and transfer tape
• Wine glass or any other glass
• Isopropyl alcohol (also called rubbing alcohol)
• Etching creams (Armour Etch)
• Small paint brush
• Masking tape

Note: I would recommend you not to use colored glass. This is because colored glasses are treated with a coating. So, it can prevent your etching cream from working.

How to Etch Glass With Cricut for the First Time?

There are a few steps that you will need to follow to etch the glass. Make sure you are ready with all the above-mentioned supplies or items. Let’s start with the first step of cleaning the glass:

Step 1: Clean the Glass Surface

First of all, I always prefer and recommend cleaning the surface. To clean, I use isopropyl alcohol that cleans up everything, such as fingerprints, grease, and dust. After this, let it try for a deep cleaning.

Step 2: Create a Vinyl Stencil

The step to create vinyl is to make a design on Design Space. Either you can add an image or text whatever you like the most. Here, I added the phrase “Lesson Planning Juice” for my daughter’s teacher, Mr. Joseph, who can use it for his favorite wine.

Besides, if you want the same font, then you can find it from dafont.com. Dafont offers free fonts that you can easily get hassle-free. Once you have added the text to your Design Space app, you have to create an outline to make it a sticker. Also, resize the design accordingly for the glass surface.

When done, you can hit the Make It button to cut the stencil on Cricut. After cutting, remove the negative space of the vinyl.

Step 3: Apply Your Stencil to Glass

Now, use the weeded stencil with transfer tape to carefully apply it on the glass surface. Gently press the stencil onto your glass to adhere the entire design properly. Make sure there are no bubbles remaining, and try your best to remove those bubbles.

When I was applying it on the surface, I curved the design which helped me to adhere it better on the rounded surface of the glass. As you can see in the picture above, I have also used the masking tape to protect the remaining surface. However, the best alternative for masking tape is painter’s tape.

Step 4: Etch the Glass

Here, I am going to show you how to etch glass with Cricut. Before you start, you should know that the etching cream is an acid, and it can cause burning. Hence, you should cover up your hands and eyes with protective gear. Besides, you should maintain your room temperature at about 70°F or 21°C, and it must be well-ventilated and have access to running water.

Then, shake the etching cream before using it. Take a small paintbrush and apply a thick layer of cream on the stenciled surface.

Note: Cream reacts quickly, and hence, you should try to apply the cream quickly and evenly for better results.

Now, after you have applied the cream, you need to let it sit on the surface. I left it for three minutes. There is also a disadvantage of leaving the etching cream for too long, as it can eat away your vinyl. So, 3 to 5 minutes is a suitable time for etching.

Step 5: Remove the Etching Cream

Now, you have to remove the etching cream using dish soap. Walter alone can’t remove the cream. Let it dry, and remove the tape and vinyl stencil to reveal your final etched glass. Want to see what the final etched glass looks like? Here you go!

Now, you can use this tutorial to create a similar glass project. Etching glass with Cricut is always exciting and the best way to create a beautiful gift.

Final Thoughts

Through this blog, I have covered the simple steps that teach you how to etch glass with Cricut. Etching cream can be extremely harmful to your bare skin and can cause irritation or even burning if you don’t wash it immediately. So, you must wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself. Besides, the process will be simple so that even a beginner can etch the glass on their first attempt.

FAQs

What type of glass cannot be etched?

I found the Tempered glass is the only one that you cannot etch. This type of glass is usually made with a process called heat treatment. This process is used to strengthen the glass. Hence, it is stronger and can withstand a force, which is why it is not easily curable. An example of tempered glass is Pyrex bakeware, which is tempered for high heat. Despite these, you can etch mirrors, windows, mason jars, and candle vases.

Can I etch leather with Cricut?

Etching is a bit different from engraving, meaning etching is chemical and engraving is a physical process. Hence, we can engrave the leather but can’t etch. In simpler terms, you can’t use the chemical to etch the leather. Therefore, we use sharp tools to engrave the leather rather than a compound that is used to etch the glasses.

Can I etch on acrylic?

Absolutely, yes! You can etch the acrylic, and this is the most widely used method. Using this method, you can simply create various personalized designs that include signs, jewelry, awards, and more. For etching the acrylic, you can use a chemical solvent or rotary tool. Both are suitable and can give you a professional result that looks outstanding.

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Source: How to Etch Glass With Cricut