1. To make your own stencil, cut etchall etchmask paper 1"
larger than
surface to be etched. Pull backing off with one hand while other
hand is smoothing paper down to surface with etchall squeegee. Rub
paper down slowly, working the squeegee back and forth. Make sure
the etchall etchmask paper has no wrinkles or air bubbles.
2. Place traced tracing paper pattern on to etchall etchmask paper
with graphite paper underneath. Retrace pattern. NOTE: If you trace
with a pencil and then retrace using a pen or colored pencil, you
will always be able to see if you traced all lines.
3.Use etchall squeegee to insure all edges are tight against
glass. With etchall a swivel knife, cut design out by running
knife around edges of pattern, just as you traced it. Always hold
the knife straight up and down,
using only the tip. A light, but
firm touch is all that is required, as you are only cutting the
etchall etchmask paper. Cut an entire piece without lifting your
blade. See Figure A. Cut all in one motion. By cutting this way you will
never have little tails on your pattern from starting and stopping.
See Figure B.
Once you have a small piece
entirely cut, make a small cut into center, carefully slide straight
knife into cut and lift this piece out. See Figure C.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to pick or gouge out individual pieces from
the side, as this destroys the sharp clean cut edge. It is really
quite easy once you get the technique going. Practice on scrap of
self-adhesive paper on an old jelly jar. Continue until entire
pattern has been cut out.
Place slick backing paper from etchall etchmask paper over design.
Rub down all edges of pattern with etchall squeegee. Rub
finger over surface to see if you feel any loose edges or tails,
particularly at sharp points, turns, or corners. If you have any
tails, carefully cut then away. This is a very important step - if
paper is not down tightly or your
edges is not cut smoothly - you
could get a blurred and fuzzy etched image. Hold glass up to light
to see if there are any little patches of glue that might be
remaining on the glass surface from the self-adhesive paper. Any
adhesive substance remaining will affect the consistency of the
etching. Remove excess glue by rubbing off with your finger tip. DO
NOT, I repeat DO NOT use any type of glass cleaner at this step, it
destroys the self-adhesive qualities of the paper.
4. When you're satisfied
that your pattern is smooth and tightly pressed to the glass, make
sure all areas of exposed glass, not to be etched, are
covered with etchmask paper. Pour a generous amount of creme in
corner of stencil where pattern is not exposed and pull creme over
entire design all at once with etchall squeegee. DO NOT USE A
BRUSH! To get a sharp, even etch, make sure patterns is fully
covered and that creme goes beyond the cut lines. Let stand 15
minutes. Do not remove etchall creme once it has been applied to
surface.
5. When time has elapsed, pinch corner of etchmask paper to form a
trough. Scrape creme back into jar, using an etchall squeegee.
6. Rinse thoroughly under running water. Be carefully not to
allow
any creme that is flushing off to run onto bare glass, as this can
streak of cloud your exposed glass. Peel off pattern by running
water between paper and glass. Dispose of used pattern. Dry glass
and now you have a lovely, permanently etched gift or keepsake.
When using an etchall easy to use stencil, remove backing paper and
apply to clean surface with squeegee as in step 3. Carefully remove
pre-mask protective cover form face of stencils. Continue Steps 4
through 6.
surface to be etched. Pull backing off with one hand while other
hand is smoothing paper down to surface with etchall squeegee. Rub
paper down slowly, working the squeegee back and forth. Make sure
the etchall etchmask paper has no wrinkles or air bubbles.
2. Place traced tracing paper pattern on to etchall etchmask paper
with graphite paper underneath. Retrace pattern. NOTE: If you trace
with a pencil and then retrace using a pen or colored pencil, you
will always be able to see if you traced all lines.
using only the tip. A light, but
firm touch is all that is required, as you are only cutting the
etchall etchmask paper. Cut an entire piece without lifting your
blade. See Figure A. Cut all in one motion. By cutting this way you will
never have little tails on your pattern from starting and stopping.
See Figure B.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to pick or gouge out individual pieces from
the side, as this destroys the sharp clean cut edge. It is really
quite easy once you get the technique going. Practice on scrap of
self-adhesive paper on an old jelly jar. Continue until entire
pattern has been cut out.
edges is not cut smoothly - you
could get a blurred and fuzzy etched image. Hold glass up to light
to see if there are any little patches of glue that might be
remaining on the glass surface from the self-adhesive paper. Any
adhesive substance remaining will affect the consistency of the
etching. Remove excess glue by rubbing off with your finger tip. DO
NOT, I repeat DO NOT use any type of glass cleaner at this step, it
destroys the self-adhesive qualities of the paper.
covered with etchmask paper. Pour a generous amount of creme in
corner of stencil where pattern is not exposed and pull creme over
entire design all at once with etchall squeegee. DO NOT USE A
BRUSH! To get a sharp, even etch, make sure patterns is fully
covered and that creme goes beyond the cut lines. Let stand 15
minutes. Do not remove etchall creme once it has been applied to
surface.
5. When time has elapsed, pinch corner of etchmask paper to form a
trough. Scrape creme back into jar, using an etchall squeegee.
allow
any creme that is flushing off to run onto bare glass, as this can
streak of cloud your exposed glass. Peel off pattern by running
water between paper and glass. Dispose of used pattern. Dry glass
and now you have a lovely, permanently etched gift or keepsake.