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
- Etchall Dip ‘n Etch was used in this tutorial. You could opt for Etchall Etching Creme and follow the instructions on the bottle.
- Vinyl design
- Transfer tape
- Plastic cup and safety gear (googles and gloves)
Process
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the vinyl and allow the item to dry.
- My finished samples turned out great!
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.
Wondering about the vine I used above? Download it free at this link.
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Very cute! I assume you need to clean it off in a stainless steel sink because it will ruin porcelain. What if you don’t have a stainless steel sink?
Correct. The etching creme could etch the porcelain. I’d use a bucket outside, then pour it down a drain once the etching creme is really diluted.
when you etched the S did you submerse the cup into the etching dip? did the inside of the glass get etched or did you somehow tape it off so the dip wouldn’t get inside the glass?
You can tape the inside with painters tape to prevent etching. I did not in this case, as I’m making a poured candle in the glass and it didn’t matter if the inside was etched.
are you able to drink from these glasses ? the etching cream dont harm like when you paint a glass you have to paint under where you would drink from
Yes, the bottle says it is safe.
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?
Wash the glass before applying vinyl with alcohol to ensure the vinyl bonds well.
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
You can reuse the Etchall, but each subsequent use the effectiveness is decreased. I’d recommend a different method.
What type of vinyl do you use?
You’d use adhesive. Thanks!
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.
Yes, absolutely!
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.?
Hello! I put vinyl over the glass, poured Dip ‘n Etch over it, then sat it in a plastic dish.