I bought a whole bunch of beer mugs from the Dollar Tree yesterday and will be using etching compound to etch sports and car logos on them so that I can give personalized beer mugs as Christmas gifts. I have never done this, so I'm wondering if you guys have any tips. I'll be using my cricut to cut the stencils...I remember seeing/hearing that I should use contact paper - should I take the paper backing off the contact paper before sticking it through the cricut or keep the backing on and just stick it to the mat that way?
BTW...the mugs from Dollar Tree are really nice (for beer mugs). These suckers are solid and I was so happy to find them so cheap!! I'm making them in sets of 4 for gifts...not bad - $4 for a personalized Christmas gift!!
Re: any tips for etching glass with compound?
leaving the backing on the contact paper. you'll want to do a kiss cut which means cut through the contact paper but not through the backing.
Settings (approximate)
Blade 6
Pressure 1 or 2
I would also recommend you use another piece of contact paper to use to transfer it to prevent bubbles
http://craftymrs.blogspot.com/2010/07/glass-etching.html
Craft Blog
I assume you mean the etching creme that you buy from the craft store.... This is what I use. I have no tips for using the contact paper or the cricut since I just use vinyl with my silhouette, but I will repeat that you need to make sure there are no (or at least very few) bubbles, with them, the creme can get under the stencil and ruin your design.
Good luck. It really makes a great gift. I made sets of two for my grandpa, uncle, and cousin with personalized designs for Christmas last year and they were a hit.