Toast the new year with stylish glassware

Etch your own designs into holiday glasses for festive sparkle

By Tara Nolan and Heather Camlot

Champagne flutes are a must as the clock strikes midnight. This New Year’s Eve, why not liven them up with designs etched into the glass? Your computer can help you create stunning templates that will allow you to transfer your patterns. You can create a matching set or experiment with individualized glasses. Cheers!

Materials

plain wine glasses or champagne flutes
latex gloves, face mask and safety goggles
sharp utility knife and cutting mat
small paint brush
etching cream (We used Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream.)
decal paper for inkjet printers

Step 1: Select an image

Choose a Clip Art image, symbol or shape for your glass.
We used a font for the year, a basic star for a snowflake effect and some solid lines.
Consider using basic shapes or an image with clean lines that will be easy to cut out from the decal paper.
Fill your image with a dark colour or with black. (In Word, click the image and go to Format > Shape Fill > and select the colour.)
Size your image to fit the glass and test-print your design on white paper to ensure it will fit.

Step 2: Print your design on decal paper

When you are ready to print your design onto decal paper, change your printer’s settings according to the printer directions.
Once your page is printed, allow the ink to dry a few minutes before touching the surface.

Step 3: Cut out your design and apply to the glass

Using a utility knife, carefully cut around the shape as you want it to appear on the glass.
Remove the backing and affix the decal onto the glass. Press out all the air bubbles as you go.

Step 4: Apply etching cream

Read the instructions on your etching cream jar. It will likely suggest that you use a face mask, latex gloves and possibly safety goggles.
In a well-ventilated room near a sink, apply the etching cream according to package directions and leave on for the required time.
When you are ready, place the plug in the sink and run your glass under cold water to rinse off the cream. The plug will catch any decal paper that falls off during rinsing.
Allow glass to dry on a paper towel.

Now you’re ready to ring in the new year with friends and family.

Photography: James Tse. Champagne flutes: Heather Camlot and Tara Nolan.