Starting Your Own Glass Etching Business
Wherever the glass is not protected, it becomes "etched" as thesand repeatedly strikes and "pits" the surface. This procedurecontrasts with the old metal etching techniques where the surface was coveredwith wax or resin, a design scratched into it and the material immersed intoacid.Examples of etched glass products are monogrammed glassware, key chains,lettered windows, designed mirrors and numbers or letters applied asidentification marks.
Most glass etching today is by the sandblasting method. Two other methods,acid cream and engraving will also be discussed.In the sandblasting method, a special type of sand is held in a funnel-likeholder where a blast of air large is forced through it creates a miniature sandstorm.
It works something like a bingo machine.
The area to be etched is coveredwith a stencil made of a material like masking tape in which the design has beencut out.When the sand if blown against the piece, the masking tape protects areasthat are to stay smooth and allows the sand to pit the glass through the stencilopenings. When the stencil is removed the etched design remains.
You can buy ready-made etching stencil designs and letter stencils or cut outyour own. Gift and hardware stores are prospective wholesale customers for theetched glassware.A sandblasting machine, some glass, a stencil and a good working area plussome practice is what you need to get started.
The equipment should not be set up inside the house because there is usuallya good deal of dust. Unless you are familiar with sandblasting, contact severalsuppliers to get the best deal equipment and supplies. Then, try your hand atetching some inexpensive items until you learn to produce quality products.
Save some of your better pieces for samples, some of which can be given toretailers if you do wholesale work.Another form of glass etching is actually engraving -- where the operatorimprints the pattern or design on glass with a high speed drill and a fine,hardened steel bit.The drill can either be used freehand, with the aid of a stencil guide, or totrace over an applied design.
The latter technique allows the application ofvery intricate designs, which can be quite ornate when the engraver has artistictalents.The glass etching technique is becoming popular in the auto industry, wheredesigns are etched into the glass to beautify and individualize.One very promising use is engraving the engine or frame number or owner'sdriver license number on both the front and back windshields as a policeidentification tool.
Thieves don't like to steal these vehicles because they must replace theglass! This operation alone may become a good business in some areas. Onecompany (Paragrave -- see Business Sources) has developed a rotary drill basedon dentist equipment that is specifically designed for this application.Acid etching is the old fashioned way and is now considered more of anartist's medium -- even though it can be used for virtually any application.
Itis generally slower and a little more dangerous because of the corrosivechemicals.Generally, the glass surface is covered with wax or resin and the designtraced or scratched on with a stylus. The procedure is a little like carving alinoleum block.
Once the design is finished, creamed (to prevent running) acidis applied and left for the prescribed time.When ready, the acid is wiped off (carefully, to avoid damage to the rest ofthe design surrounding or applicator). Even though acid etching hasdisadvantages, it can produce striking results in detail and very interestingeffects.
Most large custom glass etching is priced on a letter or design basis -- how manyand what size letters are to be applied, plus the number of pieces.Whether the letter is sandblasted, engraved, or acidized, it takes more timeand materials to do big letter than a small.In a shop you would have a few samples of available alphabets and logos, pluscatalogs of additional patterns that could be ordered.
Custom stencils would ofcourse, be extra whether you made them or special ordered them from companiesthat support the industry.It is also possible (smart, too!) to make up items to sell. These can be donein your spare time at first when you have time between custom jobs and wholesaleorders.
Shop around for ordinary items like mirrors, drinking glasses and doorwindows and inscribe interesting designs on them -- like the school or townlogo, or something of local interest.You will gasket soon learn to be on the lookout for both new ideas of what to etchand for bargain glass items that you can decorate. In Texas, a rearview mirrorwith a small armadillo might sell; in Missouri, try a kicking mule on a glassgoblet ( you get the idea)!Once you have learned the techniques, you might work with a store or two toproduce custom etched glassware.
This would help provide the volume forpractice, yet not require you to do a perfect job on a $100 glass vase.When you feel you are ready, place ads to etch, monogram or apply designs tofine glassware --both new and pieces already owned. Use your imagination in yourads. Give potential customers something to think about.
Have monthly specials:your license number on front and back windshields - $29.95 this month; a smalllogo on eyeglasses for $5 and up next month.These specials will illustrate the various types of work you can do andperhaps stimulate potential customers to think of something they would like tohave etched.
Other areas to mention in specials might be holiday motifs, familycoats of arms, company logos, etc.In addition to being careful about dust and acid (if you use gasket that medium), beespecially careful to get the correct wording on the ticket and on the glass. Amistake on either means you have just etched a piece of junk.
On phone orders, repeat the copy back slowly and use phonetics for anypossible mistakes.On written orders have the customer check and initial the desired copy. Youwill certainly have to "eat" some mistakes -- but glass is not goodfor you, so try to hold them to a minimum!BUSINESS SOURCESJUPITER ENGINEERING CO.
, Box 1666, Jupiter, FL 33548, 305/746-3984.Sandblasting equipment and supplies.LEEDS MANUFACTURING CO.,2620-8 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060, 216/951-1412.Sandblasting equipment and supplies.GRAPHIC INDUSTRIES, Box 3512, Alliance, OH 44601, 216/821-0654. Sandblastingequipment and supplies; also hot stamp dies.
COOPER GRAPHICS, Box 3485, Toledo, OH 43607, 419/531-2609. Sandblasting masks(stencils), letters, monograms, logos, etc.TIP SANDBLASTING EQUIPMENT CO., Box 646, Canfield, OH 44406, 800/321-9260.
Sandblasting equipment and supplies.
EBEL-DOCTROW PUBLICATIONS, INC.
, Box 2147, Clifton, NJ 07023, 210/779-1600.Publishes GLASS,, CHINA, TABLEWARE, trade magazine for glass giftware dealers.TAPEWAY MARKETING CO., Box 4072, Fullerton, CA 92631. Offers business inetched glassware sales (alternate supplier).
WHITEMORE-DURGIN GLASS CO.
, Box 2065, Hanover, MA 02339.
Glass working toolsand supplies.
Free catalog.
PARAGRAVE, 155 West Center, Orem, UT 84058, 800/624-7415. Offers"engraving" business as low as $65 per month. rubber (High speed drill andpatterns).MEISTERGRAPH, 3517 Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27407, 800/222-2600, ext166.
Portable Etch-Master equipment to monogram fine glassware.QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Scheleter Rd., Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,312-634-4800. Office supplies.NEBS, 500 Main St., Groten, MA 04171, 800/225-6380. Office supplies.IVEY PRINTING, Box 761, Meridan, TX 7665. Letterhead: 400 plus 200 envelopes- $18.SWEDCO, Box 29, Mooresville, NC 28115. Rubber stamps.ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, Il 60048-2556.
Business cards (raised print -$11.
50 per K) and letterhead stationery.
Will print your copy ready logo ordesign, even whole card.WALTER DRAKE, 4119 Drake Bldg., Colorado Springs, CO 80940. Short runbusiness cards (250 - $3, stationery, etc. Good quality, but no choice
Most glass etching today is by the sandblasting method. Two other methods,acid cream and engraving will also be discussed.In the sandblasting method, a special type of sand is held in a funnel-likeholder where a blast of air large is forced through it creates a miniature sandstorm.
It works something like a bingo machine.
The area to be etched is coveredwith a stencil made of a material like masking tape in which the design has beencut out.When the sand if blown against the piece, the masking tape protects areasthat are to stay smooth and allows the sand to pit the glass through the stencilopenings. When the stencil is removed the etched design remains.
You can buy ready-made etching stencil designs and letter stencils or cut outyour own. Gift and hardware stores are prospective wholesale customers for theetched glassware.A sandblasting machine, some glass, a stencil and a good working area plussome practice is what you need to get started.
The equipment should not be set up inside the house because there is usuallya good deal of dust. Unless you are familiar with sandblasting, contact severalsuppliers to get the best deal equipment and supplies. Then, try your hand atetching some inexpensive items until you learn to produce quality products.
Save some of your better pieces for samples, some of which can be given toretailers if you do wholesale work.Another form of glass etching is actually engraving -- where the operatorimprints the pattern or design on glass with a high speed drill and a fine,hardened steel bit.The drill can either be used freehand, with the aid of a stencil guide, or totrace over an applied design.
The latter technique allows the application ofvery intricate designs, which can be quite ornate when the engraver has artistictalents.The glass etching technique is becoming popular in the auto industry, wheredesigns are etched into the glass to beautify and individualize.One very promising use is engraving the engine or frame number or owner'sdriver license number on both the front and back windshields as a policeidentification tool.
Thieves don't like to steal these vehicles because they must replace theglass! This operation alone may become a good business in some areas. Onecompany (Paragrave -- see Business Sources) has developed a rotary drill basedon dentist equipment that is specifically designed for this application.Acid etching is the old fashioned way and is now considered more of anartist's medium -- even though it can be used for virtually any application.
Itis generally slower and a little more dangerous because of the corrosivechemicals.Generally, the glass surface is covered with wax or resin and the designtraced or scratched on with a stylus. The procedure is a little like carving alinoleum block.
Once the design is finished, creamed (to prevent running) acidis applied and left for the prescribed time.When ready, the acid is wiped off (carefully, to avoid damage to the rest ofthe design surrounding or applicator). Even though acid etching hasdisadvantages, it can produce striking results in detail and very interestingeffects.
Most large custom glass etching is priced on a letter or design basis -- how manyand what size letters are to be applied, plus the number of pieces.Whether the letter is sandblasted, engraved, or acidized, it takes more timeand materials to do big letter than a small.In a shop you would have a few samples of available alphabets and logos, pluscatalogs of additional patterns that could be ordered.
Custom stencils would ofcourse, be extra whether you made them or special ordered them from companiesthat support the industry.It is also possible (smart, too!) to make up items to sell. These can be donein your spare time at first when you have time between custom jobs and wholesaleorders.
Shop around for ordinary items like mirrors, drinking glasses and doorwindows and inscribe interesting designs on them -- like the school or townlogo, or something of local interest.You will gasket soon learn to be on the lookout for both new ideas of what to etchand for bargain glass items that you can decorate. In Texas, a rearview mirrorwith a small armadillo might sell; in Missouri, try a kicking mule on a glassgoblet ( you get the idea)!Once you have learned the techniques, you might work with a store or two toproduce custom etched glassware.
This would help provide the volume forpractice, yet not require you to do a perfect job on a $100 glass vase.When you feel you are ready, place ads to etch, monogram or apply designs tofine glassware --both new and pieces already owned. Use your imagination in yourads. Give potential customers something to think about.
Have monthly specials:your license number on front and back windshields - $29.95 this month; a smalllogo on eyeglasses for $5 and up next month.These specials will illustrate the various types of work you can do andperhaps stimulate potential customers to think of something they would like tohave etched.
Other areas to mention in specials might be holiday motifs, familycoats of arms, company logos, etc.In addition to being careful about dust and acid (if you use gasket that medium), beespecially careful to get the correct wording on the ticket and on the glass. Amistake on either means you have just etched a piece of junk.
On phone orders, repeat the copy back slowly and use phonetics for anypossible mistakes.On written orders have the customer check and initial the desired copy. Youwill certainly have to "eat" some mistakes -- but glass is not goodfor you, so try to hold them to a minimum!BUSINESS SOURCESJUPITER ENGINEERING CO.
, Box 1666, Jupiter, FL 33548, 305/746-3984.Sandblasting equipment and supplies.LEEDS MANUFACTURING CO.,2620-8 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060, 216/951-1412.Sandblasting equipment and supplies.GRAPHIC INDUSTRIES, Box 3512, Alliance, OH 44601, 216/821-0654. Sandblastingequipment and supplies; also hot stamp dies.
COOPER GRAPHICS, Box 3485, Toledo, OH 43607, 419/531-2609. Sandblasting masks(stencils), letters, monograms, logos, etc.TIP SANDBLASTING EQUIPMENT CO., Box 646, Canfield, OH 44406, 800/321-9260.
Sandblasting equipment and supplies.
EBEL-DOCTROW PUBLICATIONS, INC.
, Box 2147, Clifton, NJ 07023, 210/779-1600.Publishes GLASS,, CHINA, TABLEWARE, trade magazine for glass giftware dealers.TAPEWAY MARKETING CO., Box 4072, Fullerton, CA 92631. Offers business inetched glassware sales (alternate supplier).
WHITEMORE-DURGIN GLASS CO.
, Box 2065, Hanover, MA 02339.
Glass working toolsand supplies.
Free catalog.
PARAGRAVE, 155 West Center, Orem, UT 84058, 800/624-7415. Offers"engraving" business as low as $65 per month. rubber (High speed drill andpatterns).MEISTERGRAPH, 3517 Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27407, 800/222-2600, ext166.
Portable Etch-Master equipment to monogram fine glassware.QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Scheleter Rd., Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,312-634-4800. Office supplies.NEBS, 500 Main St., Groten, MA 04171, 800/225-6380. Office supplies.IVEY PRINTING, Box 761, Meridan, TX 7665. Letterhead: 400 plus 200 envelopes- $18.SWEDCO, Box 29, Mooresville, NC 28115. Rubber stamps.ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, Il 60048-2556.
Business cards (raised print -$11.
50 per K) and letterhead stationery.
Will print your copy ready logo ordesign, even whole card.WALTER DRAKE, 4119 Drake Bldg., Colorado Springs, CO 80940. Short runbusiness cards (250 - $3, stationery, etc. Good quality, but no choice
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