How to Frost Glassware

Put on rubber gloves. Clean glassware item thorough with soapy water, rinse well and dry completely with a dish towel. Clean with glass cleaner to remove any remaining soap, water spots or fibers from the dish towel. Dry completely with paper towel.

Attach stencil or sticker to glassware in the desired position. Stencils that are flexible and have adhesive on one side work best. If you want just your design to be frosted onto the glass, use a stencil. If you want everything except your design to be frosted, use a sticker. Use your fingertips to push any air bubbles out from under your stencil or sticker to avoid imperfections in the finished product. Cover any area outside of the stencil that you don't want frosted with painter's tape.

Apply frosting mixture. If using frosting spray, apply evenly over the entire area you wish to appear frosted. If using etching creme, spread a thick layer over the area you want to appear frosted. Let either mixture dry for 15 to 20 minutes. For frosting spray, apply a second coat until you reach desired appearance. For etching creme, proceed to step 4.

Wipe off etching creme with paper towel. Do not apply another layer if areas are splotchy. Simply add a small amount to the areas that need retouching with the tip of your brush or a cotton swab. Once the excess is removed, wash the glass with warm soapy water before removing any stencils. Let dry completely.

Remove the stencil or stickers, once your frosting spray or etching creme are completely dry. This may require the use of a straight razor if the stencil does not peel off easily. Immediately scrape off any blemishes that may have formed during the frosting application process. Clean glassware again with soapy water and dry completely.