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If you have ever seen glass etching you know how beautiful it can be. We’re going to show you not only how to use your Cricut machine for etching glass, but also how to do color etching on glass. This is such a fun technique that you can use to add a permanent design to glass for any holiday, occasion, or home decor theme.
Glass-etched projects make lovely custom handmade gifts. They’re perfect for weddings, anniversaries, teacher gifts, and so much more.
You can etch on stainless steel too! Check this out – Etching Stainless Steel
Color Etching on Glass
Supplies Needed:
- Oh Come Let us Adore Him – https://makersgonnalearn.com/cut_file…
- Glass canister – https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hob…
- Armor Etch – https://amzn.to/3zxsd87
- Starcraft Vinyl: https://bit.ly/3uP2GUo
- Paint Brush – https://amzn.to/3vFyTA0
- Gloves – https://amzn.to/3zUV87C
- Rub’n Buff – https://amzn.to/3vHAR2W
- Candles – https://amzn.to/3JyrUic
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Working in Design Space
1 – Choose the cut file that you’d like to use for your design. Download it and upload into Cricut Design Space. We’re going to turn this design into a stencil for your etching project.
2 – Add the design to your canvas in Design Space.
3 – Measure the dimensions of the space you have available for your design on your blank. Size your design accordingly.
Pro Tip: Remember to lock the dimensions of your design if you want to maintain them while sizing.
4 – With the design we’re using, you can see in the layers panel that it is two layers. If we cut it as is, it will cut each layer on a separate mat. We want this to be one stencil so we need to select each layer and Weld.
Cutting and Applying the Vinyl
5 – Click Make It. Choose your material setting. We used Permanent Vinyl, Removable. Cut out your design.
6 – Weed your vinyl. Remember that this will be used as a stencil. So, you want to weed out the opposite of what you usually do. In this case, you’re removing the letters and decor elements and leaving the negative space behind. Cover your weeded design with transfer tape and burnish it down.
7 – If you’re applying the vinyl to a non-porous surface like glass or ceramic, clean the area where the vinyl will be placed with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. This will ensure that there is no dirt, fingerprints, or debris to interfere with smoothly placing the vinyl.
8 – Remove the backing from your vinyl. Place the stencil on your blank. Be sure that you get out all of the air bubbles and that the edges are very well-adhered. You want to get a good crisp result from your stenciling. Carefully peel away the transfer tape.
Stenciling
9 – Put on your gloves. This is a very important step – you don’t want etching cream to come in contact with your skin! Paint the etching cream over the stencil. We like to paint it all over, going back into each area again so that we’re sure the cream gets right down into the design well. Move the cream around for 1-2 minutes for best results. Apply a fairly thick layer of etching cream. Set your timer. The bottle directions say to leave the etching cream for 1-3 minutes but we find that 5 minutes works best.
Pro Tip: If you’re concerned about the etching cream getting onto the glass around the edges of the stencil, you can always add some painter’s tape around the whole design.
10 – Use your paintbrush to remove the excess etching cream from your craft project. Put it back in the jar to use again. Wash off your project under running water. Be sure to leave your gloves on for this part.
Pro Tip: Once the design is dry, you can hold it up to the light and double-check to ensure that all parts have been etched to your satisfaction.
Adding color to the etching
11 – Remove the stencil. Apply Rub n Buff to your design to add color. It’s a good idea to wear a glove for this process. Work the color into the etched design.
Important: We recommend only using this on a decorative piece that you aren’t going to be washing. After testing, we found that if we washed it, it would remove the color.
12 – This dries quickly so go in and use a paper towel to remove the excess. Alternate between applying the Rub n Buff and removing excess with the paper towel. Once the design is thoroughly covered with Rub n Buff, your project is ready to display!
