Create a Faux Etched Effect with Frosted Vinyl for Glass!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE FROSTED VINYL FOR GLASS FILES

First, download my Frosted Vinyl SVG/PDF/DXF files from my free resource library. It's Design 510.

The file includes three different fun designs you can place on your glasses:

• “I’ll Clink To That” (2.1” x 2”)
• “Time To Wine Down” (2.26” x 2.5”)
• “Wine A Little Laugh A Lot” (2.11” x 2.5”)

Upload the SVGs and add them to your Canvas.

If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made.

If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

TIP: You can also design your own monograms in Design Space that are suitable for vinyl decals! Check out my How To Glitter Wine Glasses project for detailed instructions!

STEP 2: PREPARE THE DESIGNS

Here is how the designs look on my Canvas.

All three decal designs are sized for the exact glasses I use in this tutorial, but if you have different-sized glasses, you can change the size of the decals.

First, measure the height of the space in which your decal will need to fit.

Choose a height for the decal approximately ½” smaller than the measured height. This allows for a small glass border all around the decal.

Select the decal you want to re-size. Then, after making sure the lock icon is in the locked position, type the correct size into the Width box. The decal is now shown at your adjusted size.

This project uses frosted vinyl to make an etched glass look, so we can leave the image black. If you wish to use colored vinyl, you can change the color of the decal by selecting it on the Canvas and then selecting the Material Colors box next to the Operation drop-down menu in the upper part of the screen.

You are now ready to cut the decals!

STEP 3: CUT THE FROSTED VINYL FOR GLASS

Check that the right machine is listed in the top right corner, then click "Make It!"

If you are asked if you are cutting your designs without a mat, on a mat, or multiple ways, select "On Mat" and "12 x 12." Then click "Confirm."

On the Prepare screen, keep the "Material Size" at 12" x 12”. Leave the “Mirror” setting in the “Off” position.

All the decals will appear on a single mat, but make sure to allow extra room between each decal.

On the Make screen, select the correct material setting for the cut. I am using Frosted Vinyl so I’ll need to click “Browse All Materials” to select the proper cut setting.

I can quickly sort through the options by typing “Premium Vinyl” in the search box and clicking the magnifying glass next to the box. I need to select “Premium Vinyl – Frosted Opaque.”

Click “Done” to add it to the “Make” Screen.

Next, choose your pressure setting. I find I get the best results with "More" Pressure.

Make sure your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in Clamp B.

Place your first piece of vinyl, frosted side up, on your green StandardGrip machine mat and make sure it is well-adhered with a brayer. Since these designs are small, it can be a material saver for you to cut your vinyl into a shape only slightly larger than your designs before adding it to your machine mat. (If you cut the vinyl smaller, make sure the piece covers the same design area as on the screen!)

Load the mat into your Cricut and press the flashing button to begin cutting.

TIP: If you run into any issues cutting your materials, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

Once the cutting is complete, remove the cut vinyl from the machine mat. It is now time to weed the vinyl, but the cuts are very difficult to see on frosted vinyl!

To make it easier to see the cut lines for weeding, sprinkle some ground cinnamon (or a similar fine dark powder, such as loose make-up powder) onto the vinyl and lightly brush it over the whole design with your fingertip. The cinnamon will fall into the cracks made by the cuts and clearly show the lines of the design. (Don’t worry if the vinyl looks a little darker after the cinnamon is applied. The transfer tape will lift the extra powder off after the design is applied to the glass.)

Brush off the excess cinnamon and weed the design.

TIP: It can be easier to weed vinyl, especially small, detailed designs, while it is adhered to the machine mat. Once you’ve applied your cinnamon powder to the vinyl, you can place it back down on the machine mat for extra control over the weeding process.

I like to work from larger to smaller sections during weeding. Using a weeding tool, very carefully peel away the extra background vinyl.

Poke your weeding tool into each section you want to remove. Gently lift it away from the design. Make sure you do not pull up any pieces you want to keep! If they come up, gently pat them back in place and try again. Don't forget to remove the middle parts of letters and watch out for small pieces that tend to get lost, like punctuation marks and dots above the lowercase “i”.

STEP 4: APPLY THE FROSTED VINYL FOR GLASS DECALS

First, we'll apply transfer tape to all the decals.

Make sure to use the correct transfer tape for the type of vinyl you are applying. “Premium Vinyl - Frosted Opaque” needs StrongGrip Transfer Tape due to the slight texture of the vinyl. You can tell the difference between StandardGrip and StrongGrip Transfer Tape by their colors. StandardGrip has a blue grid while StrongGrip is printed in purple.

Cut a piece of transfer tape that is slightly larger than the decal it will be applied to.

Remove the backer from the transfer tape and place it face down on the decal using my "taco method". Hold your transfer tape in the shape of a “taco”, then put the bottom of the “taco” onto the middle of your design.

Smooth the transfer tape over the decal from the center outward and burnish it down using the Scraper Tool.

Next, clean your glasses by using alcohol and a lint-free material. (I like to use coffee filters!)

It’s time to apply the designs to the glasses!

To apply decals to the glasses, start by removing the backer from the decal. If the vinyl does not stick to the transfer tape, lay it back down and burnish it again. Now peel your transfer tape, with the decal attached, off the vinyl backing.

Then, use your scissors to make some small cuts around the edges of the transfer tape into the areas with vinyl, but don’t nick any of the designs. This will help evenly apply the vinyl to the curve of the glass.

Place the center of your decal halfway between the edge of the top and bottom edge of the “bowl” of the glass.

Using your finger, rub from the center of the vinyl outward, tacking the vinyl into place.

Gently remove the transfer tape, leaving the vinyl on the glass.

Smooth any bubbles that were missed, working from the center outward.

If thin parts of the decal do not lay down correctly and form “bumps” that can’t be pushed down, you can very carefully peel the vinyl back up off the glass with a weeding tool and then gently lay it back down.

Your glass is now ready to enjoy!

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

Use your frosted vinyl glasses for customized celebrations and quick and easy gifts!