Business Ideas

Glass etching can be defined as the art of making letters, monograms and designs on glass. Not many people are in this business and you can start it right in your garage or a small place. It can be a very profitable business.

The process basically involves covering the glass with a pattern and then blowing sand against the surface using a special machine. So the place where the glass is not protected will get "etched" by the sand striking against it. This is the new technique and the old way was the metal etching method where the glass surface is covered with wax or resin,then a design is made on it and the whole thing is dipped into acid.

 

You can see etched glasswords all around you in the forms of designed mirrors, identification numbers and letters. Most people today use the sandblasting technique. However acid cream and engraving are also other etching techniques.

 

To say more about the sandblasting method, you basically create a sandstorm using a special sand which has to be held over a funnel and air is forced through it. Just like a bingo machine. So you cut out the design on masking tape and use it as stencil.

 

So when the sand is blown on the stencil design, covered are remains smooth and uncovered areas become pits. Once thats done you remove the stencil and the etched design is formed. You can either make your own stencil cuts or buy them. 

 

You find many etched glassware in gift and hardware stores. The basic things required to start are - the sandblasting machine, glass and stencil. The place and practice also matters. It can be messy, so best to do it outdoors. For the glass supplies and the machine, shop around and get the best deals. Begin with small and broken glass items, just to get some practice and then move on to expensive ones. You can also give some samples to prospective retail buyer.

 

Etching can also be done by Engraving using a hard steel bit. The operator imprints the design on the glass using a high speed drill, which can be held freehand or stencial guide. To make fine and artistic designs, you can trace over an applied design using the drill.

 

The automobile industry is also a customer of glass etching business. People like to have designs on the car and customise them using patterns. Also for the purposes of identification, the license number of chassis number is engraved on the glass windshield. This way car theives will stay away from those cars. Businesses have come upt with new innovative ideas in etching. For example Paragrave, has made a rotary drill like a dentist equipment. 

 

Most artists prefer the old Acid etching method. It can be used widely, but comparatively it is slower. Also the chemicals used are dangerous and corrosive. So best for the artists, who do it as a hobby not business. Its done by covering the glass with wax or resin and then tracing the design using a stylus. Similar to carving a linoleum black. 

 

Once the design is made, acid which is creamed is applied and left for a few minutes. After which the acid is wiped of very carefully without damaging the pattern. Some very interesting and strange designs have been made on glass this way.   

 

The price is decided based upon how easy or difficult the design is or number of letters to be etched. It does not matter which method of etching you use, bigger the pattern, more time is required.

 

If you visit popular glassware shops, you can have a look at the most wanted alphabets, designs, patterns and logos. You could just make stencils, but its your decision who you want to support - the etching business or yourself. 

 

If you have a established wholesale business or customer orders, you can also make your own items and sell them. Pickup common items like plates, glasses, vases and etch some intersting designs and local logos. Once you have been doing this for sometime, you will soon know here to get your supplies from and what people really like to buy. Also the place where you live matters. Think of patterns that the local people like to have on their doors and windows. It could be a theme, an animal or just a symbol!

 

 

You cannot make and sell your own items until you have had some experience. You should get the feel of the market and have a go at everything. So if you start on scraps, you will not make a mistake with costly glassware. You cannot get it perfect the first time, it takes time. 

 

When you are confident, then you can think of growing your business by advertising. Put some photos and designs you have made in the ad, so people can see your work and appreciate it. You could give new customer discounts, referral discounts and also have special sales. Attract people to visit your place.  

 

Make a catalogue of all the designs you have made and could make to display to public. Talk to customers and give them ideas of what they could have etched. Company logos, national symbols and patterns are the common ones people look for.  

 

Once its etched, it cannot be changes. So you have to concentrate and pay attention while doing the work. If the customer does not get what he had ordered, you have to waste it and make another. Always confirm in writing exactly what the customer wants and get his aproval before starting. In the beginning, there may be some errors, do not worry, keep going and you will perfect it! 

 

 

BUSINESS SOURCES

 

JUPITER ENGINEERING CO., Box 1666, Jupiter, FL 33548,

305/746-3984. Sandblasting equipment and supplies.

 

LEEDS MANUFACTURING CO.,2620-8 Tyler Blvd.,Mentor, OH 44060,

216/951-1412. Sandblasting equipment and supplies.

 

GRAPHIC INDUSTRIES, Box 3512, Alliance, OH 44601, 216/821-0654.

Sandblasting equipment and supplies; also hot stamp dies.

 

COOPER GRAPHICS, Box 3485, Toledo, OH 43607, 419/531-2609.

Sandblasting masks (stencils),letters, monograms, logos, etc.

 

TIP SANDBLASTING EQUIPMENT CO., Box 646, Canfield, OH 44406,

800/321-9260. Sandblasting equipment and supplies.

 

EBEL-DOCTROW PUBLICATIONS, INC.,Box 2147, Clifton, NJ 07023,

210/779-1600. Publishes GLASS,, CHINA, TABLEWARE, trade magazine

for glass giftware dealers.

 

TAPEWAY MARKETING CO., Box 4072, Fullerton, CA 92631. Offers

business in etched glassware sales (alternate supplier?).

 

WHITEMORE-DURGIN GLASS CO.,Box 2065, Hanover, MA 02339. Glass

working tools and supplies. Free catalog.

 

PARAGRAVE, 155 West Center, Orem, UT 84058, 800/624-7415. Offers

"engraving" business as low as $65 per month. (High speed drill

and patterns).

 

MEISTERGRAPH, 3517 Wendover Ave.,Greensboro, NC 27407,

800/222-2600, ext 166. Portable Etch-Master equipment to monogram

fine glassware.

 

QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Scheleter Rd.,Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,

312-634-4800. Office supplies.

 

NEBS, 500 Main St.,Groten, MA 04171, 800/225-6380. Office

supplies.

 

IVEY PRINTING, Box 761, Meridan, TX 7665. Letterhead: 400 plus

200 envelopes - $18.

 

SWEDCO, Box 29, Mooresville, NC 28115. Rubber stamps.

 

ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, Il 60048-2556. Business cards (raised

print - $11.50 per K) and letterhead stationery. Will print your

copy ready logo or design, even whole card.

 

WALTER DRAKE, 4119 Drake Bldg.,Colorado Springs, CO 80940. Short

run business cards (250 - $3, stationery, etc. Good quality, but

no choice of ink or color.