Engraving is the application of any pattern to a surface by changing its physical or chemical structure. To date, the following methods are quite popular - electrode, ultrasonic and laser. Engraving on glass is a very beautiful and stylish solution. With its help, you can give originality to an ordinary thing, such a gift will forever remain in your memory. By inventing and bringing to life a unique pattern or pattern, you will show your individuality.
Glass engraving, how to do?
The easiest way is to use special etching paste. It contains acid, which, in contact with the treated areas, leaves matte marks. This will allow you to create unique patterns on any glass surface. Let's try to consider the option with dishes.
To work you will needthe following materials and tools:
- glass etching paste;
- sponge brush;
- self-adhesive film;
- stationery knife;
- computer drawing;
- self-adhesive tape;
- scissors;
- glass with a flat, smooth surface.
The first thing to do is stick a film that will protect the surface of the product from damage. Its edges should protrude a few centimeters beyond the drawing. Make sure that bubbles do not form during gluing, because a pattern is applied on top of it. All unnecessary residues are removed along the contour of the selected stencil. Now it's time to apply the paste. To do this, take a brush, through which we carefully distribute the substance over the surface. Acid should not get into unprotected areas of the product, it will be impossible to correct the situation. You can remove the paste after 20 minutes, after which you need to rinse the product under running water. Then the stencil is removed, the remnants are washed off.
As you understand, engraving on glass at home is not such a complicated process, which means that you just have to purchase the necessary tools and get to work.
Helpful tips
When working with etching paste, you need to follow some rules:
- wear gloves while working;
- when washing off the material, do not use enameled containers;
- stencils must be made of polypropylene film.
Tips for Beginnersengravers
But engraving on glass using special tools is a very complicated process that takes a lot of time and consists of various technological steps, however, if you want to try, here are some good tips:
- Workplace lighting. It should be your main assistant, because only with the help of light you can constantly monitor the treated surface and monitor the correct reproduction of the pattern. During engraving on glass, dust will constantly fly from under the bur, which settles on the product and interferes, so a simple lamp will not be very appropriate, because you will need to interrupt to clean its surface. The most successful option would be an LED strip that meets all the requirements.
- Engraver. Even if you are not going to become a professional engraver, do not overpay twice: it is better to immediately purchase a good tool and start creating with it. Among people who are engaged in such a business, engravers of German manufacturers are in great demand. They are considered the most suitable for quality work.
- Bora. In order not to waste time and money, buy diamond options with a ball head of various diameters. They can be used to create any pattern.
- Workplace. Mechanical engraving is a noisy and dusty process. Remember this and try to protect others from unpleasant sounds and debris. Additionally, take care of the soundproofing of the table, put foam rubber between it and the workpiece, which does notallow the product to slide and reduce the sound.
Do-it-yourself glass engraving
Mastering the work with an engraver can be compared to learning to write at school. The first thing to do is to learn how to write words, then texts, and only after that start reproducing drawings. First, you need to get used to the device, understand how it works and what it can do. To begin with, it is better to practice up to 2 hours every day for a month. During this time, you should achieve certain skills and easily apply smooth lines. You can gradually change the thickness of the strokes (to do this, go over it several times).
Let's move on to practice: how to decorate glasses?
Glass glass is engraved using the following materials:
- engraver;
- champagne glasses;
- paper;
- pencil;
- adhesive tape;
- Swarovski crystals or beads for decoration.
Draw the desired pattern on paper or print it out. Secure with adhesive tape, use the engraver to mark the outline of the image. Paint over the contour with the side surface of the nozzle, gradually get rid of the resulting dust. If you like a picture in a frame, you can make it using an oval stencil. Now you can stick crystals or other beads to your liking. The gift is ready, you can present it.
Laser engraving
As you know, glass is quite fragilematerial. It is not difficult to break it, the slightest effort - and the crack has gone. In this regard, laser engraving on glass is the most suitable option for its processing. The laser beam will allow you to delicately apply the desired image to the surface and will not damage the product itself, and the process itself will not take much time. This type of engraving will most accurately convey the plot with a large number of small details. The process is fully automated, so any errors in the work itself are excluded. What does he represent? In fact, this is spraying the outer surface layer of the product using special equipment. It is thanks to the laser installation that you can betray the smallest and thinnest details of the sketch, which is not available to other methods.
It is noteworthy that laser engraving can be done both on the outer layer and on the inner one. These methods differ significantly. During internal engraving, two beams are used at once, which heat the glass, form bubbles, which create the pattern. The program allows you to adjust the direction of the rays, which gives vent to fantasy. If you watch the creation of such a picture, you might think that you are in a fairy tale. Such an engraving does not fade and is not erased over time, which means it will delight you for a long time.
