Glass Etching Using Vinyl

Watch a video on how to etch glass

How to Etch Glass With Etching Cream

This will tell you how to etch glass using a product called Armour Etch which can be purchased at any craft store.

Steps

Place your stencil over a bit of vinyl shelf liner using Scotch tape to hold it in place.
Cut the stencil carefully with the Exacto knife, holding the blade 90 degrees perpendicular to the stencil material.
Clean your glass with Windex or rubbing alcohol ensuring it is thoroughly dry.
Peel the backing of the vinyl and secure it to the glass ensuring there are no bubbles underneath. Work any bubbles out toward the nearest open area of the stencil, or the edge of the stencil material, which ever is closer.
Cover only the area of the glass with the pattern with Armor etch.
Leave on for about 5-10 minutes and rinse with water.
Remove the vinyl and clean the glass again.

Tips

Use scrap booking embellishments for your stencils; they have more detail and make nicer designs.
Rarely move your Exacto blade when cutting. If you cut your vinyl to a manageable size you can turn the stencil and let the stencil do the work.
If the vinyl does not tear you can re-use it!
Use a self-healing cutting board, which you can buy at any quilting store to cut your stencils.

Warnings

Use extreme caution with Exacto Blade
Wear gloves with the Armour Etch, if you get it on your skin it will give you a chemical burn you won’t feel until you wash it off
Keep everything out of the reach of children!

Things You’ll Need