Engraving glass - How does it work?

Engraving glass is quite simple and can be done by anyone with a little flair. With the right engraving tool, you can turn any glass object into a truly unique item in no time at all. Engraved glasses with the name, for example, are also a great and particularly personal gift idea.

Select a glass object and a motif or lettering that you want to engrave on the glass. Should you use a template to engrave glass, this is placed inside the glass and attached with a few adhesive strips. In addition, if you are engraving a drinking glass, you can stuff the inside with paper or cloths so that the template remains directly behind the glass. Of course, your design can also be drawn directly on the glass with a pencil. First, use a very fine engraving pen to pre-engrave your traced design. When engraving glass, make sure that you only work with a little pressure. Otherwise, the glass may chip or even break. It is best to wear gloves, a respirator, and safety glasses when working.

Once you are done engraving glass, your object will be washed off once. You should then check to see if your motif or lettering is what you want. If not, you can trace the lines again with the engraving pen.

Tip: If you have never engraved glass before, you should first test the technique on old jars such as jam jars or other preserving jars, as they can withstand a lot. You should also practice on old thin jars, as this will help you get the right feel. This will help you learn how much pressure you can apply and when the jar will break.

In our Ideas & Tutorials section, you'll find some ideas with free motif templates for engraving glass. For example, decorate tea light glasses with maritime motifs or a glass plate with a springtime saying.