Engrave tumbler with Citristrip

Engrave tumbler with Citristrip! An amazing project to customize tumblers without using a laser!

This is an amazing project to personalize tumblers in a different way. It is similar to the etching glass technique, but on powder coated tumblers. Citristrip gel is the star of this technique, and it’s dishwasher safe! The Citristrip is the solution to engrave glasses without the need to buy a laser. This technique is certainly more affordable. Check it out!

Supplies needed

• Citristrip gel
• Tumblers
• Painters tape
• Paint brush
• Weeding tool
• Oracal 651
• Brillo pad

First of all, find some glasses at Wallmart, Dollar tree or Amazon. Make sure they are powder coated tumblers. Secondly, design a stencil and cut it out with a cutting machine a design making a stencil, to apply to the tumbler. HERE is a guide with some tumbler design measurements! Cricut permanent vinyl will not work for this project, use Oracal 651 permanent adhesive vinyl instead.

The reason is that with cricut vinyl the citristrip leaks, so it is necessary to use a high quality vinyl. Now, apply the stencil to the glass. Burn the stencil well so that it does not peel off during the stripping process. As a recommendation, use the back of the weeding tool to burnish the stencil.

Next, take the painter’s tape and Citristrip. The painter’s tape is to protect the entire surface of the glass, so as not to damage it. So cover the entire side of the glass with it. Fill some small glass with Citristrip and then apply it with a brush on the tumblers.

In this post will be described some glasses that work and also those that do not work. But, if you want to test if the technique works on another tumbler, as a recommendation do the test on the bottom of the tumbler making a small figure. This is to avoid damaging the whole tumbler in case it doesn’t work.

Citristrip application

Find a place to place the tumbler so that it stays still and start applying the Citristrip on it. Cover the stencil with a very thick layer using a paintbrush. This is similar to the glass etching process. Make sure the layer is thick and covers all areas. The Citristrip will not take long to set, it will only need 15 to 20 minutes to two hours depending on the thickness of the powder coat on the tumbler.

First let it set for 5 minutes and then check with the weeding tool to see what happens. Touch the coating with the weeding tool and if it starts to fall off go to the sink and take the brillo pad to scrub the Citristrip and see the reveal. Don’t scrub too hard so as not to tear the vinyl and be careful so the pad doesn’t rip the vinyl. Above all, be sure to remove all debris.

It is crucial to scrub with the stencil on, otherwise some of the stencil may bleed through to the other areas and stain them. As a result, the project will not look clean and professional. Finally, remove all tape and vinyl.

Tumbler Dos and don’ts

The Yeti tumbler works very well but it will take about two hours to set. So as a recommendation check the tumbler after 30 minutes have passed with the weeding tool. If possible, remove the coating and put a second one on to work faster. Some other Wallmart and Dollar tree tumblers that are powder coated will also work well.

On the other hand here are some good brands that for this specific project will not work. The hydro flask, built tumbler, ozark trail, and mainstays tumblers. To engrave a tumbler you only need Citristrip and a Cricut in general, this is super easy and the result is wonderful! Let me know your comments below.