How To Create Crystal Glass Artwork

With the advent and rapid expansion of 3D printing tools and techniques, graphic design enthusiasts were suddenly presented with an entirely new, seemingly endless field of possibilities for their artwork. The versatility and diversity of these techniques allowed for the creation of a wide range of distinct-looking pieces, which professionals and amateurs alike promptly set about exploring to the fullest.

New techniques expand the creative process

One of the fields of graphic design in which the influence of these new 3D techniques made itself felt the most was crystal glass artwork. Whereas, before, the possibilities for creation in this material were restricted to what artists could create manually, the introduction of 3D machines made the entire process not only more open to experimentation, but also quicker and easier.

In fact, nowadays, even a competent enthusiast will have relatively little difficulty creating decent-looking pieces of custom crystal glass artwork, utilising one of the three more commonly available techniques. The first of these, and still widely considered to be the most suitable, is sandblasting. This term refers to a process whereby pieces of crystal or glass are covered with a special protective ‘mask’, then blasted with a special gun or inside a special machine to produce the patterned effect the finalised artwork will eventually display.

While this is still the most widespread and – according to most – best way to create 3D relief crystal glass artwork for trophies or decorative pieces, other methods have rapidly been gaining in popularity as the techniques slowly permeate the graphic arts mainstream. At the present time, sandblasting’s two main ‘opponents’ are laser engraving and rotary engraving. The former, as the name indicates, is based upon the applications of laser to a surface, in order to create the pattern. The latter is what is traditionally understood as ‘3D printing’, where the final pattern is created in a special printing press. Both these methods imply the purchase and use of special machines, but both have been made significantly more accessible in recent years, as technology progresses and manufacturers account for this type of engraving with each new model.

The expansion and increase in popularity of engraving techniques for crystal glass artwork, therefore, works in favour of both commercial graphic printers and enthusiastic neophytes previously prohibited by costs and bulky machines. With equipment getting smaller and the most popular techniques being progressively facilitated, there is no reason not to believe the field will continue to march towards globalization, and that in a short few years 3D printing will be accessible to everyone!

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in the production of crystal glass artwork. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images for 3D engraving from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.