Dremel How-to: Engraving Glassware with the Stylo+
Easy Project Preparation
While glass engraving requires minimal prep, we do recommend protecting your work surface with some sort of barrier. Look for a craft mat, recycled paper bag or other protective layer to cushion the glass workpiece and shield your table. This is a good time to also set aside your safety gear - while actively engraving make sure to wear both eye protection and a dust mask.
Selecting Your Stencil
While we love ambitious designs, we recommend starting with simpler line art to get the hang of things. Avoid heavily detailed design work, shading or elaborate etching until you’ve mastered the basics.
Placing Your Print
Before engraving, trim down your printed design or stencil to the size of the glass. Make sure to leave a thin border so can visibly see the edges of the artwork. After cutting away the excess, take a few pieces of tape and secure your printed design to fit snuggly inside your glass. The design should be visible through your work piece and shouldn’t gape at the edges.
Engrave or Etch Your Design
Using short, smooth strokes, start engraving your glassware using your Stylo+. Not sure which speed to start at? We recommend starting with a lower speed and increasing your power from there. Every workpiece is different so don’t be surprised that one style of glass requires more power while another might require less.
Quick Tip: When engraving a glass or cylindrical object, always view your workpiece straight on. Looking at your glassware from an angle can increase the risk that your lines or design will be skewed at the end.
And that’s all!
Looking for more inspiration or ideas on what to engrave? We love learning from our creative community, get inspired and check out other glass engraving projects below:
- Perfume bottles
- Wine or champagne bottles
- Glass tumblers
- Water pitchers
- Cocktail glasses
- Candle votives
For more project inspiration, tips and tricks visit our Dremel projects page or visit us on Pinterest.