How to etch glass. This easy step-by-step DIY tutorial shows you how to personalize any glassware piece and make it your own.

How to Etch Glass An Easy DIY Tutorial

Etched glass makes great personalized gifts and you will agree once I show you how easy it is to accomplish!

I first learned how to chemically etch glass just a few short years ago. I etched a glass candy jar for my Papa that said “Papa’s Stash” with a mustache underneath and filled it with a batch of my late grandmother’s famous homemade candies that she’d make at Christmas time.

My Grammy passed away a few years ago and Christmas hasn’t quite felt the same without her or her delicious caramels, walnut toffee, and peanut brittle lying around. Growing up my Grammy would mail us a BIG box filled with large ziplock bags full of her homemade goods. It wasn’t until I attempted the first batch that I realized the difficulty and huge amount of love and sacrifice that went into such an endeavor! I could just cry thinking about all the time she’d spent in the kitchen just to put a chocolate-smeared smile on our faces. Maybe next year I will share one of her famous recipes with you!

Supplies List

Armour Etch
Glass surface (Armour Etch will work on windows, mirrors and household glassware. Will NOT etch some Pyrex’s glass or plastic.)
Plastic gloves
Paintbrush
Masking tape
Silhouette Cameo, vinyl, transfer tape, and tools
Or Peel N Etch Stencils or pre-cut stickers

Step # 1 Gather Supplies and Determine Your Design

For this design, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a vinyl templet which I will show you below. However, if you don’t own a Silhouette machine you can use a Peel N Etch Stencils or pre-cut stickers purchased from any crafting store.

The design font I used for the lid of this glass jewelry box was purchased from Silhouette Design Studio Store in titled MONOGRAM FULL CIRCLE for $2.99. This monogram design by Rivka Wilkins is available for personal use only and will allow you to put all 3 initials inside the circle, but for this box I chose to only use her first name initial. When designing this monogram, use a capital letter (Shift + letter) for the center letter and lowercase for the 1st and 3rd letters. Inside the circle of this pre-monogrammed design, it has two small circles framing the initials. I took some creative liberty and erased them with the eraser tool inside the silhouette program. Just personal preference:).

Remove the vinyl from your design that you want to be etched into the glass. (picture 1 is the result AFTER I removal)
Add transfer tape and rub your scraping tool a few times over the top to make sure your design will evenly transfer.
Carefully peel off the vinyl backing, making sure all vinyl transferred onto the tape.
Determine where you want your design and place it down carefully. Run your scrapping tool over the top again being sure to smooth and remove any bubbles.
Peel off the transfer tape.
Using painters masking tape, tape off any of the surrounding areas to ensure the Armour Etch chemical doesn’t touch any other part of the glass.

Step #2 How to Etch Glass – Apply Armour Etc

Armour Etch is a chemical that works surprisingly well. The first time I used it I was shocked at how easy it was to use but don’t let its little bottle fool you. The stuff inside is some pretty powerful paste, so be sure to wear plastic gloves and protective eyewear. Its the sandblasted look at a tenth of the work. The stuff literally stinks, so work in a well-ventilated area and have water nearby in case it gets on your skin as it will burn.

You must apply a thick layer of etching cream in order for the chemical to react properly on the glass or mirror. Thick enough so that you cannot see the design of the stencil through the Armour Etch Cream. I just kept layering and massaging the cream into my design with my brush over and over again. Leave the cream for at least five minutes. If you remove the cream before the five-minute mark, your design will appear lighter. For the manufacturers, directions visit their site.

Step #3 Remove

Remove Armor Etch cream by washing off with lukewarm water. Ensure all the cream is completely gone before you remove your sticker or stencil. After removal, wipe clean one last time. That is it ladies and gents, easy peezy etched glass! For more Dazzling Hospitality DIY tutorials click here.