There is no limit to perfection. Even simple glasses, even made of high-quality glass and beautifully shaped, do not attract the attention of the majority. You want something new and unusual. Well, glasses with an inscription are what you need.
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History of engraving
According to some sources, this unusual decoration of objects is more than three thousand years old. It all began with drawings and inscriptions on stones. Over time, metal, mainly copper, began to be used as a base.
The inscriptions made metal objects unique and beautiful, and in some cases served as protection from evil forces. Over time, drawings appeared on glass surfaces as well.
Previously, creating an engraving required a lot of time and effort. Today, this process is quite accessible and fast. Images are made on glass of different thicknesses and shapes. And the range of offered drawings and inscriptions is simply amazing.
Modern items with engraving are a great way to make an exclusive memorable gift (for example, personalized glasses for a wedding), create a “personal” set of dishes for a cafe or restaurant, or simply treat yourself to an interesting little thing with a family coat of arms.
Thick-walled glasses with engravings reminiscent of frost patterns look especially impressive. They are often used as candlesticks.
Varieties
Previously, such design was done only by hand using a very "modest" set of tools. It is worth noting that the images were not always works of art.
Today, the situation has changed radically. Thanks to modern technology, there are several ways to decorate glass objects. And the images obtained in this way are truly beautiful and unique.
Manual processing
For such engraving, diamond burs are used, with the help of which the drawing is applied to the glass surface. Before starting work, the master creates a sketch of the future image in life size. After this, the sketch is applied to the surface and the drawing is transferred to the glass exactly according to it.
Simply put, the diamond burr "scratches" the surface, but such "damage" is done in a certain order. The resulting "image" cannot be erased or washed off, so the work requires meticulous attention.
When doing the work manually, it is impossible to repeat the drawing or inscription exactly. Each glass is unique in its own way. And the time frame for completing the work is usually longer than with other processing methods.
Mechanical
This method of processing is considered to be a "relative" of manual engraving or its worthy replacement. To perform the work, microcutters, engravers, and a diamond scraper are required.
Laser
This is the most "safe" technology for glass. Even thin glass goblets are decorated with engraving using a laser method of applying images. The picture is created within 20 minutes.
Thanks to the use of special equipment, it is possible to apply an inscription, make it circular, decorate a glass with an inscription along the edge, apply a photograph to the central part of the glass and even make the 2D and 3D images that are popular today.
A special matrix is used to apply photographs. Thanks to technological tricks, the image clarity is maximum. This means that the heroes of the occasion will definitely recognize their reflection on the personalized glasses, no need to guess!
The engraving coating has different colors and textures, depending on the materials used: from a white, smooth surface to a gray, rough one.
The advantages of the laser method are considered to be the speed of work, the ability to create absolutely identical images and an affordable price.
DIY engraving
If desired, you can make an exclusive souvenir yourself, without turning to a specialist. To do this, you will need:
- Hand engraver;
- Glasses;
- Sheet of paper;
- Pencil;
- Scotch.
For additional decoration, prepare crystals, beads, rhinestones.
Important! Follow safety precautions. Be sure to wear a mask and safety glasses while working.
First, we draw the outline of the future image on the glass. To do this, we attach the drawing to the inside of the glass with tape. If you do not have the artistic ability to draw something, you can find a drawing on the Internet and print it out.
Using an engraving device, we trace the lines of the drawing along the contour, without missing the slightest detail. Professionals advise starting from the inside of the drawing and gradually moving towards the edge. After removing the drawing, we get a clear “imprint” on the surface.
A little trick: professionals usually cover their work table with a dark cloth. This makes the engraving lines more visible. If you can draw, you can simply apply the image to the surface of the glass with a marker. And after the marker lines are outlined with a drill, the surface should be thoroughly wiped with alcohol so that no traces of the marker remain.
At the next stage, we remove the paper from the glass and paint the outline where necessary. For this work, the side edge of the nozzle is used. At the end of the work, the drawing is framed.
The stem of the glass and the contour lines can be decorated with rhinestones and crystals if desired.
Using engraving on glasses, a familiar everyday accessory can be turned into a work of art. Personalized glasses are an ideal gift for newlyweds on their wedding day, a beer mug with the emblem and name of your favorite team is a present for your loved one, and in a family cafe or restaurant, shot glasses and wine glasses with a family coat of arms and luxurious monograms will not go unnoticed.
VIDEO: DIY glass engraving.
50 photos of glasses with original laser engraving:
