Edge Lit Displays

Step 3 Make And Etch Your Design

First:
Figure out what you want your design to look like. If it's complex, like words, you might want to print it out rather than draw it freehand. However print them backwards (mirrored left to right). This is because we're going to etch the back of the plastic, not the front (it will be brighter this way) and we don’t want our words to come out backwards.

Second:
Cut your plastic to size. You can cut it to any size you want but allow at very least 8mm (3/8") on one of the sides--this is the side where we're going to put our light.   If you're using polyester sheets you can use scissors to cut. If you're using acrylic sheets it's best to use a power tool with a blade meant for acrylic to avoid chipping.

Third:
Put your design on the front of the clear plastic for reference. If you're doing it freehand, you can stick some clear tape on the front and draw it. (Or many plastics come with a protective layer that you can draw on with a marker.) Otherwise tape your printout in position so you can see it from the back and use it for reference.

Fourth:
Etch your design. We use a Dremel with a fine round carving tip at about 10-15,000 RPM and etch to a depth of about 1/2 the thickness of the material. You can also use a needle, knife, or file to mark your design, anything as long as you rough up the surface.  (I've even tried sand paper.  It worked but it came out very sloppy.)

Comments

[Tetrafish]

I wonder if sand etching would work? *does a quick search on this site* http://www.instructables.com/id/freehand-glass-etching/ Unless - the deeper the 'etch' the brighter the effect.

[jeff-o]

The best thing you can do, if you can control the depth of the etch, is to etch the design deeper as you move further away from the light source. It will result in more even illumination.

[Kevin6031]

"Sandetching" works very well. I do "sandcarving" on glass with a sandblaster and alum. oxide abrasive. The deeper the carving the better it will show up...for the most part. If you carve the outside of your design deep, most of the light will be refracted and won't get to the parts of the design in the middle. The bigger the piece the worse this effect becomes. I've done some 7'x10' pieces for a casino here in OK. Once you get to that kinda size you have to use alot of very bright LED's. We used a brand called Superbrite.

[Grathio]

Excellent information.  Thanks for posting it.  You definitely need to increase your illumination with the side of your glass and the size of your etching. (The more light you let out the less bright the overall image will be.)

[noingwhat]

Would it be possible to use an engraver (melts through) to etch the design? btw, cool instrucable, gotta try this out once I get my LEDs (being shipped right now) CAN'T WAIT!!

[jonathanz6516]

I'm thinking you could use a laser engraver on cast acrylic (not extruded acrylic). I believe both Lexan and Plexiglass come in both cast and extruded. I wonder, too: sand the entire surface with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper, then use a paint marker (like the testors or sharpie ones) to paint a design - the back would glow and the front would be opaque. Now I have to try... one more thing - using inexpensive LEDs from places like the dollar store might work, too. I've re-purposed dozens of these lights.