Etch Tumblers with Citristrip Easily and Safely – Two Ways to Success!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE ETCHED TUMBLERS DESIGN FILES

First, download my free Etched Tumblers with Citristrip SVG/DXF/PDF templates from my resource library --it's Design #438.
There are three files in the SVG folder for you to chose from:

Cold Nose Warm Heart
Stay Thankful
Gobble²

Each file also includes a heart shape for testing your etching cream and a blank rectangle to create a custom decal.

You can cut the printable PDFs by hand, but I'll show you how to prepare and cut the Cold Nose Warm Heart SVG with a Cricut. The steps are the same for the other designs.

Upload the SVG design file of your choice to Cricut Design Space and add it to your Canvas.

TIP: 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.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE DESIGN

Here is how my Cold Nose Warm Heart file looks on the Design Space Canvas. You can zoom in to see more detail by clicking on the plus (+) sign on the lower left.

The designs are sized to use on any of the 20 oz or 16 oz tumblers in my material list.

Resize the template only if you are using an item so small that the stencil wraps more than a third around the object. If you need to change the size, make sure the lock icon at the top is closed to maintain the design proportions.

I'll also show you how to test Citristrip on the bottom of your cup with the included heart piece.

The blank rectangle is in case you want to make a custom stencil, so use the eye icon in the Layers Panel to hide it if you don't plan to create one. I'll leave it visible as we'll make both!

The design is ready to cut!

Variation: Add a Custom Name

It’s pretty easy to create a custom name stencil to fit a tumbler! We’ll use the blank rectangle next to the Cold Nose Warm Heart design as a reference.

Next, click the Text icon on the left hand side of the screen. A box with “Text” highlighted in it will appear on the Canvas. Without clicking anything else, type in the text you want. I’ll add “Alexa” in caps.

Click the box that says “Cricut Sans” under Font, in the top menu, to see your font options. I’m going to use the font Pier Sans Bold, which you can download from the designer’s site for personal use. Remember to click the System section to find fonts you’ve downloaded.

I used Pier Sans Bold at 72pt to achieve a name no longer than 4.5" using the name 'Alexa'. You may have to resize the letters depending upon how many letters are in the name or phrase you are creating.

You can then rotate your name in Design Space vertically at 270 degrees, or just design it horizontally, and then apply it to the tumbler vertically.

Move the text over the template and resize it to fit with a corner of the bounding box to be as close to the Cold Nose Warm Heart's height dimension and fit nicely inside of the blank rectangle.

Select the text and decal shape then using Align, and Center helps get it in the right position fast.

Now select both the blank stencil and the text, and click Combine below the Layers Panel, then choose Exclude. This creates the stencil with the negative space you need for your etching gel.

Note that you could also use Slice instead, but using the Exclude feature under Combine is faster AND it means you can undo it later if you decide you don’t want that design after all.

If you only want to make the custom design, hide the Cold Nose Warm Heart stencil, but I’ll leave it.

STEP 3: CUT AND WEED THE DESIGN

When you are ready, select your Cricut machine — I selected Maker 3 — and then click the green “Make It” button in the upper right corner.

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." If you are using Smart Vinyl, you would select “Without Mat.” Click "Confirm."

On the Prepare screen, keep the "Material Size" at 12" x 12".

Since we're making stencils, you don't need to mirror the design.

Click Continue.

On the Make screen, set your Base Material to "Permanent Vinyl - Glossy" and set the Pressure at "More"

Add your vinyl color side up to a clean, green StandardGrip Machine Mat and adhere it well with a brayer.

Make sure your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the correct clamp.

Load the mat into your Cricut and press the flashing button to load the material. Press the "Go" button to cut the vinyl.

When the cut is complete, unload the mat. Flip it over on your work surface and gently roll a corner back to release the vinyl.

TIP: If you have any trouble cutting the vinyl, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

Now, it is time to weed!

Stencils require the opposite weeding approach (reverse weeding) from traditional vinyl projects. Since we want the Citristrip to create the design, we need the vinyl to protect the area between, and around our phrases.

Instead of removing the vinyl around the designs and words, you’ll remove the decorations themselves with your weeding tool. Be sure to leave the centers of any letters in place. If they accidentally come off while weeding, just put them back in place carefully. Also, remove the vinyl around the squares and test piece.

Then cut around each design and test decal with scissors to separate them.

STEP 4: TEST AND ETCH YOUR TUMBLER

I tested different tumblers and techniques to find my favorite combination!

It's very important to test that Citristrip will work on the tumbler you want to use. I recommend etching a small design on the bottom using the heart I included. You can test one tumbler at a time or several, it's up to you.

Etching Test

Place your cup with the bottom up. Clean the bottom with rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter to remove any oils or other debris.

Next, prepare to move the test stencil from the carrier sheet to the tumbler's bottom using my Taco Method. You can also move it like a sticker, but this is good practice for the main design!

Cut a piece of Standard Grip transfer tape slightly larger than the test shape. Remove the backing. Hold the transfer tape in the shape of a taco, or a "U" shape. Then put the bottom of your “taco” onto the middle of your decal. Smooth the tape over the shape from the center outward to minimize wrinkles and bubbles.

Repeat for the other tests if you're doing more than one.

With the transfer tape in place, run the Cricut scraper all over the project’s front and back with medium pressure.

Flip your decal over and remove the paper backing from the vinyl. If your stencil is still sticking to the backing paper, replace the transfer tape and burnish again. Use caution as to not touch any part of the adhesive backed vinyl. The oils from our fingers degrade adhesion and will not create a well-applied stencil.

Now bend your test design up in a taco shape over the tumbler's bottom and lay the middle down in an even area, gently smoothing it from the middle outward.

Check that all areas around the design are adhered well to the surface. This will stop Citristrip from bleeding into areas you don't want it to etch. Just go around all parts of the design with your fingers and gently push the vinyl down well, removing any bubbles or creases as best as you can. If your tumbler's bottom isn't smooth, it will be a bit harder, but do your best.

Before applying the etching liquid, cover the rest of the area around your stencil with painter's tape to avoid getting the etching gel where you don't want it. Add some up the sides, too!

IMPORTANT: Read the Citristrip's instructions and guidance on accidental exposure before proceeding. The liquid is caustic and you don't want to inhale it or get it on your skin or in your eyes. Before opening it, put on safety goggles, nitrile gloves, an apron, and an appropriate mask. If you do come in contact with the liquid, follow the bottle's directions immediately.

Before opening the Citristrip, make sure you're in a well-ventilated area or outside with a flat surface. Put on your mask, gloves, and apron and protect your work surface with butcher paper. And set your timer for 50 minutes so you're not trying to do it with etching gel on your gloves.

Shake your Citristrip really well before you open it.

Put some Citristrip in a paint-safe, disposable paint tray, then use a foam brush to add a little Citristrip over the heart shape, and let it sit for 50 minutes.

When the time is up, use your weeding tool to see if the powder coating feels loose, but don't scratch the metal. If it moves easily, it's a success! Record that time for that type of tumbler. If not, let it sit for 10 more minutes. If it doesn't work well, try another tumbler!

When you get a good result and know how long it takes, keep your protective equipment on to rinse the cup in a bucket of clean water. Remove the protective tape, rinse again, and get ready for the designs! Make sure to dispose of the brush, and any other objects with any amount of Citristrip on it, safely.

Normal Tumbler

Remember to work outside or in a well-ventilated area. Put on your protective gear before you start etching, but you can prepare inside.

Use the same steps from the test decals to add transfer tape to the design you want to use.

Place the tumbler with the opening at the top. Remove any grease or dirt with rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter. Then, use a lint roller or tape roll to keep the cup in place on your protected work surface.

You can position the design however you like on the tumbler, but I recommend placing the top edge of the vinyl at the upper edge, for the best result. Larger tumblers will simply have the design closer to the top. The box around the design measures approximately 4.5" x 5".

After you place the design on the tumbler, start smoothing the most detailed areas first, as they need the most precision. Your fingers and the scraper will both help. Once you get to the edges, you can lift up the vinyl and reapply it if it gets too wrinkly.

If you have a lot of trouble or tear the design, re-cut it in a darker color as the imperfections are easier to see in them.

Once your stencil is smoothly adhered to the tumbler, you can peel the transfer tape off the vinyl at a steep angle while continuously pressing smaller details down on the cup to make sure every piece sticks well!

If you find any wrinkles or creases, smooth them out again. Then, cover the rest of the cup with painters tape, scrap vinyl, or transfer tape. Remember to protect the bottom and the upper part of the inside!

Time to put your safety equipment back on and go outside!

Set your timer for the amount you found most successful during testing. I had the best results at 50-60 minutes, with shorter etching times on hot days. Some tumblers will take more or less time, so just use my findings as guidelines.

Again, put some Citristrip in a paint safe disposable, or glass bowl. Use a small foam brush to apply a thick layer on top of the open areas. Always use a foam brush and nothing with harder bristles or rollers that could affect the stencil's application stability. Brush it thoroughly in all directions for 1 minute. No need to over-do-it, or use too much.

Start your timer!

Once the elapsed time is up, test the progress by poking a small spot with the weeding tool to see if the powder coating feels loose. Don't scratch the metal behind, though. If it's still stubborn, wait a few more minutes.

If it looks good, get ready to rinse and scrub the cup!

Make sure to remove the extra gel in a safe manner, keeping your protective equipment on in case of splashes. I used a bucket of water. Leave the stencil in place and gently wipe the design with a gloved hand to remove the gel. At this point, the design should start to appear, but there's still more work to do!

Dispose of the waste water safely according to your local guidelines.

Now it is time to see our designs come into focus!

With the stencil still on, grab a blue Scotch Bright pad. Blue won't scuff a matte tumbler, but green will!

Over your bucket, scrub the design like you would a dirty pot, to remove most of the loosened powder coating. Place the tumbler under running water or wipe away the debris to check your progress.

Once most of the material is gone, peel off the stencil.

Use the blue Scotch Bright pad to make sure you have hard edges for your designs. Rinse off any extra debris.

Once you're happy with the results, clean or dispose of your tools, containers, brush, and dry off the tumbler.

Glossy Tumbler

If you want to try a more glossy tumbler, follow the same steps to apply the Citristrip, then wrap aluminum foil around the cup, covering the whole thing.

Then, swap your disposable gloves for heat-resistant ones and set the heat gun to 700°F. Heat the tumbler with the machine for one minute, being careful to keep it moving. This will go a lot faster than the traditional way of letting it sit!

After a few minutes, place the wrapped (still hot) tumbler on a fire safe work surface, like a silicone mat, free of any flammable debris.

Once the tumbler has cooled for a few minutes, remove the aluminum foil.

Just like the other process, get your bucket of water and wipe off the gel. This time, use the more delicate pink scrubber to remove the coating material. It should be much easier to remove, but be careful, a glossy tumbler is also much easier to scuff. Try leaving the stencil on to make sure the gloss tumbler stays glossy.

Once the image is clear, remove the stencil, rinse the tumbler, and let it dry.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

Enjoy your tumbler or give it away as the perfect holiday, or everyday gift. To take the best care of your cups, hand wash and dry them with a dish towel.