1. Make Your Copy And Prepare A Stencil. |
|
Make
a transparency copy of the name or artwork you want to etch on the
nameplate. Do this on your computer as shown on another page (check
spelling very carefully). Use the transparency with your UV
Exposure Unit to make a stencil. Before you etch make sure to clean the
glass with Windex or other glass
cleaner. Gather all the materials you will need:
activator, etching
cream, paper towels, squeegee, Q-Tips, and a timer. |
2. Apply Activator to the Stencil
and Glass. |
|
Next place the
stencil directly on the glass and line it up very carefully. Smooth
it down gently in place. When stencil is lined up perfectly apply a
small amount of activator to the "copy" area of the stencil. Use your finger tip to gently rub the
activator through the stencil and
squeeze it out under the stencil so it has a large area to help hold it in
place. You can see it spread if you watch closely. |
3. Run Squeegee Over the Stencil. |
|
Run your squeegee gently but firmly over the
stencil to
force the activator through the mesh in the stencil and to smooth out any bubbles or air
pockets that may be between the stencil and the glass.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Air pockets and
bubbles will ruin your work as those places will not be etched completely. |
4. Dry the Stencil with a Paper
Towel. |
|
Now fold a dry paper
towel four or five times into a pad. Use this
"pad" and the heel of your hand to apply
firm pressure to the stencil to dry off any activator that is still left
on top. Do not wipe back and forth, rather apply pressure to one spot,
lift, then apply pressure to the next and so on. Make sure to press down firmly on all
copy edges so the etching cream does not migrate under edges. |
5. Apply the Etching Cream. |
|
Now it is time to apply
the etching cream! Use a Q-Tip and carefully spread the cream so it covers every part
of the design you want etched. Press down firmly with the Q-Tip so the
cream goes completely through the stencil onto the glass. Be sure
you do not move the stencil as it will make a blurry
etch You can use scotch tape to secure stencil. |
6.
Squeegee and Reapply the Etching Cream. |
|
Again, run your squeegee firmly
across the stencil so that you push the etching cream through the stencil
and onto the glass. When this is done then use your Q-Tip to remove the
excess cream from the squeegee and reapply it back onto
the stencil gently but somewhat firmly, being careful NOT to move the
stencil in the process. |
7. Let
This Set For 60 Seconds And Then Wash. |
|
Now let everything set for about 60 seconds. If this is the only
item you are etching at the moment then take your timer with you to remind
you when the time comes to wash off the etching cream. To do this
simply start the water running in the sink and when ready place the glass,
stencil and all, under the running water. Wash off the glass first
and the stencil next. You can use the stencil many times so take
care to dry it off and store it safely. |