Design/Etch By Richard Smith
Questions and Answers Version 3
April 6, 1997

Thank you to everyone who emailed me last month about this page, and thanked me for the information contained on it.

Back to recent Questions & Answers

Please Note:

My answers are based upon personal experiences. There are many variables to consider when sand etching, I do not guarantee results, and assume that you take appropriate safety precautions when working with glass and sand blasting or acid.
If you have an etching question, email me, and I will attempt to answer it here, if I can't, or have no experience in it, I will post it under questions below. I prefer to use your name, and city, for your questions, but will not include your email address.
I do appreciate hearing back from you whether my comments and suggestions are helpful or not; as I'm not getting any monetary return out of this, this is the only reward - right? :-)

Quick links for Version 3: Answers | Questions | Hint | Useful Links

Answers #3 from me:

From R. Wilton out of Canada, who was wondering:

"Do you know of any Canadian suppliers of glass blanks? I mostly make corporate awards, recognition etc. but have a hard time finding Canadian suppliers of glass. Rayzist has a large collection in their catalog but they are expensive. I've found many American suppliers but only one Canadian."

I guess that this is the becoming one of the most common questions: Where can I get supplies? If you have a good source of supplies please let me know so that I can pass it along. The Glass Line Newsletter, has a huge list of suppliers around the world, you might check it out. I don't at present know of any other blank suppliers in Canada.

From A. Edgar of Fort St. John, BC:

"I'm searching for a paint or process to color ceramic coffee cup blasts. I'm currently using a paste called "Rub 'n Buff" but it smears when subjected to hot liquids."

It may not work for your application, but I use an enamel ink, and then wipe the excess off that is applied outside the etched area (any that is still there after it dries, can be removed by gentle scraping with a sharp knife. Sometimes you can leave the resist on, and paint or colour the image, but you have to be careful not to apply to much ink/paint or it may not leave a clean edge when you do finally remove the resist.

From C. Williams in Kilkelly, Ireland:

"We sand etch mirrors and glass - mostly Family Coats of Arms for Tourists etc. I experimented a little with colour on the back of etched mirrors but my colours are not solid enough. I use glass paints and paint Varnish, and I see from the table top you have on your page that the colours are much more solid. I would appreciate if you would give me an idea of what paints to use on the mirrors and glass."

Actually the colours that I am using, are transparent, so that light will show through them. They are transparent glass inks used for commercial printing onto glass. Unfortunately, because they are packaged for larger companies, I can only get them in litre containers (and they are rather expensive at $30 US a litre!)

Back to the TOP

Questions #3 for you:

If you have information, or can answer a question for these etchers, email me, and I will post it here next month.

This update's questions can be seen above, in the answers section.

Back to the TOP

Hint #3:

Test, test and re-test!!
Watch out when you etch lead crystal - especially if you are used to etching window glass or tableware, which is a hard glass. With the same amount of blasting on crystal, it will be blasted through! (This hint with thanks from Jim Harris in Georgia).

Back to the TOP

Useful Links #3:

If you know a suppliers link that should be listed here, send me an email, and I'll list them so that everyone can take advantage!

Back to the TOP

Home ~ Quantity Custom Etched Glassware
Heraldry ~ Furniture ~ Partitions ~ Plates
About Me ~ Glass Etching Introduction ~ Quote/Order Information