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Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette or Cricut

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Today, let’s look at something a bit different! I’m calling this ‘Reverse Etching’ – and it’s something I haven’t seen done among Silhouette or Cricut crafters. Usually, when people etch a surface they use vinyl as a stencil and etch inside the stencil. I was thinking to myself recently, why not use the negative space for the design? That’s just what I did over the weekend. Here’s how my two samples turned out and a tutorial.

Reverse Glass Etching

Supplies

Process

  1. Cut your design in vinyl, weed it, and apply it to the items to etch. For this tutorial, I made two different wine glasses. On one, I did just the base; while on the other I did the top half. Be sure to have anything that you don’t want etched covered. Painter’s tape is helpful! Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  2. Put your item to be etched into a plastic container and pour the Etchall Dip ‘n Etch over it. Allow the item to sit in the Etchall Dip ‘n Etch for 15 minutes. I just used a plastic cup. Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  3. After 15 minutes, remove the glass item and rinse it in a stainless steel sink. Pour the remaining Etchall Dip ‘n Etch back into the container to use again.Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  4. Remove the vinyl and allow the item to dry. Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  5. My finished samples turned out great!Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Etchall Dip ‘n Etch versus Etchall Etching Creme

These are two different products, but either can be used for this tutorial. Etchall Dip ‘n Etch is a amber colored liquid that you dip your item to be etched into for about 15 minutes. It is the consistency of water. Etchall Etching Creme is a thicker creme (think sunscreen) and is applied with a cotton swab or brush. You leave it on for only a few minutes. Both Dip ‘n Etch and Etching Creme can be reused.

Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Wondering about the vine I used above? Download it free at this link.

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Tutorial: Reverse Glass Etching with Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Explore - by cuttingforbusiness.com

June

Sunday 24th of March 2019

Can you explain in more detail how you did the S on the top part of the glass please. And did you use the dipping cream and just pour it over the upside down glass? What did you put the glass in etc.?

Christine, Cutting for Business

Saturday 18th of May 2019

Hello! I put vinyl over the glass, poured Dip ‘n Etch over it, then sat it in a plastic dish.

Julie McGuffee

Wednesday 3rd of January 2018

I love etchall etching creme and dip and have used it for years. Did you know that both products are re-usable? Scrape the creme back into the container after 15 minutes, then rinse away the residue. Pour the dip back into its container. Now you get to use it multiple times.

Christine

Thursday 4th of January 2018

Yes, absolutely!

Stephanie

Friday 15th of September 2017

What type of vinyl do you use?

Christine

Sunday 17th of September 2017

You'd use adhesive. Thanks!

Cathi

Tuesday 4th of July 2017

Hi -I have four large glass cabinet inserts (18" X 36 3/4") that need to be etched. Would that cost me a fortune to do it with the Etchall? thanks - Cathi

Christine

Tuesday 4th of July 2017

You can reuse the Etchall, but each subsequent use the effectiveness is decreased. I'd recommend a different method.

Brittany

Thursday 29th of June 2017

I've used the thick cream and tried to do a glass just painting the cream on and it looked like crap. The cream seeps under the decal and didn't make the edges smooth even though I pressed the edges very tight before applying the cream... any advice?

Christine

Tuesday 4th of July 2017

Wash the glass before applying vinyl with alcohol to ensure the vinyl bonds well.