Guide to Glass Etching | Silhouette

GUIDE TO GLASS ETCHING Learn how to etch glass from start to finish Guide to Glass Etching 2 Table of contents Introduction Introduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 In this eBook, we’ll teach you how to use Silhouette’s etching cream and your Silhouette Basic supplies � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �3 machine to create etched-glass projects� Etching Additional supplies � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �3 cream is a chemical that will permanently etch custom designs and text onto glassware Basic application � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �3 and mirrors� Etching flat surfaces � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �4 You’ll learn how to etch glass from start to finish, Etching curved or tapered objects � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9 beginning with creating your stencil design, cutting Troubleshooting � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 the stencil, and then using that stencil with etching cream to transform your glass projects� You’ll find Conclusion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14 plenty of helpful tips along the way� Designs used � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14 The examples in this book use the Silhouette CAMEO® 3, but any Silhouette digital cutter can be used to create etching stencils� Published by Silhouette America, Inc. 618 N. 2000 W. Bldg 2 Lindon, Utah 84042 All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2019 08-21-19 Guide to Glass Etching 3 Basic supplies Additional supplies Basic application Here’s what you’ll need to get started on In addition, here are some other things you’ll find The steps to creating a glass-etched piece are glass etching� useful when etching glass� really quite simple� We’ll explain more about the fine details as we work through some projects, but f Etching cream: A chemical that f Foam brush or other applicator, in each case you’ll need to do the following: permanently removes a thin layer of glass, whatever you prefer porcelain, and ceramic surfaces� f Gloves f Create a stencil design f Eye protection f Cut it out from stencil vinyl and f Stencil vinyl: Clear vinyl that acts as a f Glass cleaner weed the vinyl barrier to the etching cream so only the f Paper towels f Use transfer tape to apply the design to exposed portion of the design is etched� f Measuring tape or ruler your glass surface f Masking tape f Apply the etching cream to the exposed f Transfer tape: Use transfer tape to f Skinny craft sticks design and let the cream sit temporarily hold stencil-vinyl cutouts in f Protective surface f Scrape away the excess cream place when removing them from their f Sink with running water f Rinse the glass original backing and attaching them to the f Remove the stencil intended project surface� You can use most smooth glass items, including mirrors, for etching� Flat objects and straight Let’s get started! f Hook tool: Use a hook tool after your cylinders are great etching items, but uneven or stencil is cut so you can easily pick away, or round surfaces can make it hard for the vinyl to get weed, the parts you don’t need� a perfect seal against the glass� f Scraper tool: Rub the vinyl that’s applied You might run across some glass that won’t take with transfer tape with the scraper tool so the etch, like some glass casserole dishes and pie that the vinyl gets a firm grip on the surface� plates� You should test the etching cream on an inconspicuous area of the glass first, if possible� These first five basic components are all included with the Silhouette Glass Etching Starter Kit� You Finally, we’ll be working with the Silhouette Studio® can also purchase those items individually and, if software� You can use any Silhouette cutter to you’ve worked with vinyl before, you may already cut the vinyl we use for etching� This includes the have some of them� CAMEO, Portrait, or Curio� Guide to Glass Etching 4 To cut this design directly from the roll, choose Cutting Mat: None� Note: You can cut directly from the roll or on a cutting mat with a CAMEO or a Portrait machine, but if you’re using Curio, you must use a cutting mat and adjust your media size and mat accordingly� Etching flat surfaces Any time you’re creating a stencil, which is what is usually done for a glass-etching project, make sure For this first project, we’ll etch a flat glass cutting board� Flat objects are the easiest to work with� the stencil doesn’t lay on any curved or bumpy surfaces� For this glass cutting board, we want to Measure the cutting board, including where the legs are, and then move to Silhouette Studio® to create avoid applying the stencil on the legs� We’ll etch the design� the back side where the legs are� Because we’re using stencil vinyl that comes on a 9-inch roll, set your media size in the Page Setup panel Draw a rectangle so the top edges are the same to be 9 inches wide by 11 inches high� You can adjust the height based on your design later� height as the cutting board and the side edges fall within the cutting board legs� Finish those dimensions in the Scale option on the Quick- access Toolbar� Guide to Glass Etching 5 Choose your design to etch and open it in the This top and bottom stencil border are pretty close Now center the design within the rectangle by software� This example uses “The Chef is Always to the design in this example, but they also go to selecting both and choosing Center from the Right” design (Design ID #232382)� Drag it inside the edge of the glass and won’t leave it exposed� Quick-access Toolbar (or go to Object > Align > the rectangle and resize it to fit� Align Center-Middle)� Most of the time when you’re doing glass etching, The rectangle is going to act as a barrier for the you can leave the design as you see it� However, Group (Ctrl + G or Cmd + G) the shapes so they etching cream� Whenever you’re doing glass because we’re going to etch the back side of move together� Position the stencil design within etching, you need to have an outer border� Don’t the cutting board to leave the cutting surface the cut borders on the page� let the edge get too close to the design itself, completely smooth, we need to mirror this design� because any etching cream that goes beyond the Now we’ve got our stencil ready to cut� border will etch into the exposed glass� Select the design, right-click, and choose Flip Horizontally (or go to Object > Mirror > Flip Go to the Send tab and choose Horizontally)� f Material = Vinyl, Glossy f Action = Cut f Tool = AutoBlade (or whichever blade you prefer for your machine) Guide to Glass Etching 6 To cut directly from the stencil vinyl roll Weeding f Trim a straight edge on the vinyl roll so it feeds in with the two corners at exactly the same length f Adjust the rollers for 9-inch vinyl on the CAMEO, if necessary, and make sure the release lever is locked in place f Load the vinyl directly into the machine, glossy side up Perform a Test Cut, if necessary, and adjust your cut settings� Use the hook tool to weed the vinyl, removing the Verify the design preview is bold red and will cut outside edge first, where it touches the outer edge where you expect� of the vinyl backing� Leave the stencil mask border (the rectangle we drew) in place on the backing� Work from the outside towards the center so you don’t confuse which pieces need to be removed� Remove the design pieces where you want the When ready, press Send in the software to cut� glass to be etched� Be especially careful to leave letter centers in place on the backing when you When finished, unload and trim off the roll beyond are weeding� the edge of the stencil design� Guide to Glass Etching 7 Stencil application Carefully peel the transfer tape and the stencil When the design is all weeded, place transfer tape from its backing and place the stencil on the clean across the design� Stencil vinyl comes with its own glass surface� You may find it helpful to use the transfer tape, but you can use other varieties of top edge of the glass to help place the design transfer tape as well� straight, since we made the stencil the same height as the glass� Try to center it and place it so With a stencil, you don’t need to make the transfer the design is level� tape go completely to the edge of the vinyl� The important part is that it picks up all the pieces in Place the center of the design first and gently the center� smooth it out toward the edges� Try to avoid bubbles or puckering! Use a scraper tool to press the transfer tape down Add masking tape, if necessary, to extend and against the design� protect the edges� Masking tape also helps provide a very visible indicator of the edge, so you don’t accidentally go past and etch beyond the clear stencil� Press down all of the design borders to get a tight seal against the glass� Tip: If you have any areas that are not laying smoothly against the etching area, you’re better off removing it and cutting a new piece.

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