What Is Deep Sandblast Etching?

Deep etching is how we cut your logo or message into crystal and glass so it stays there for good. We mask the piece, then blast it with fine abrasive under pressure. The exposed areas get carved away, leaving a frosted design with real depth you can feel with a fingertip. It's the deepest, most permanent way to mark crystal, and it's part of our free awards engraving.

How Deep Sandblast Etching Works

The process is straightforward, but the depth is what sets it apart from a light surface mark. Here's how a piece moves through our production shop:

1. Set the artwork: We take your logo, name, or message and size it for the piece. Vector art gives the cleanest edges, so we clean up the file before anything touches the glass.
2. Cut the stencil: A rubber mask is cut to match the design and pressed onto the crystal. The mask covers everything that stays clear. Only the design is left open.
3. Blast it: Fine abrasive hits the open areas under high pressure. The longer and harder we blast, the deeper the cut. Deep etching carves well below the surface, not just a frosted skin.
4. Peel and clean: We strip the mask, clean off the grit, and check the depth and edges. If the design calls for it, we add color or paint fill to make it pop against the glass.

Why Deep Etching Works So Well on Crystal

Crystal and glass take a sandblast cut beautifully. The frosted finish reads white against the clear material, and the depth catches light from every angle.

1. It lasts: The design is cut into the glass, not printed on top. It won't fade, peel, or wear off. The piece will look the same in twenty years.
2. It holds fine detail: Logos, lettering, and seals come through clean, even small ones.
3. It's yours: Every piece gets the recipient's name, the date, the occasion. We set up your logo for free, every time.

What We Etch

Deep sandblast etching is for crystal and glass. That covers most of our finest crystal awards and glass pieces, from desk plaques to tall obelisks.

1. Crystal awards: Deep etching gives optical crystal a frosted design with weight and depth. This is the look you want for executive and milestone pieces.
2. Glass awards: The same blast leaves a clean frosted mark on glass, modern and sharp.

One note on acrylic: it's a different material and takes a different process. We don't sandblast acrylic. Instead we use full-color UV printing and laser work, which suits the softer surface and lets us run your logo in full color.

We're a direct decorator, not a middleman. Successories Inc. DBA Awards.com has been making recognition awards since 1985, and we cut every etch in house at our manufacturing locations nationwide. Engraving and logo setup are free, and your order is backed by our 100% satisfaction and lowest price guarantees. Want to see what your logo looks like etched in crystal? Browse our recognition awards or call us at 1-800-429-2737.