🪞 Etching vs. Engraving: What Really Makes a Mirror Glow

🪞 Etching vs. Engraving: What Really Makes a Mirror Glow

At first glance, etching and engraving might sound like the same thing. Both involve creating designs on mirrors, both look incredible, and both take patience and precision. But when it comes to what makes a mirror truly glow, the difference runs a little deeper — literally.

Etching: Beautiful, But Mostly Surface-Deep

Etching is all about creating a soft, frosted design by lightly wearing down the front surface of the mirror with acid, cream, or abrasive methods. It gives the glass a beautiful, matte texture that blocks some of the mirror’s natural reflectiveness.

Because etching only affects the surface and doesn’t remove the mirror’s silver backing, the light can’t shine through it. That means etched mirrors look great under normal lighting but won’t glow — they reflect less light instead of channeling it.

Think of etching as adding a decorative finish — ideal for artistic or frosted-look pieces that don’t need illumination.

Engraving: Cutting Deeper to Let the Light Out

Engraving takes it to the next level. When we engrave, we carefully carve through the mirror’s reflective backing — and sometimes into the glass itself — to create open paths for light to pass through. These engraved areas are where the real glow happens once LED lighting is added behind the mirror.

That’s why every glowing mirror we make is engraved, not etched. The process gives the light room to breathe and brings the design to life in a way etching simply can’t.

Etching Still Available — If That’s Your Style

If you prefer the frosted, non-glowing look of traditional etched glass, we can absolutely make that happen. Every mirror at Inked in Glass is custom-made, so whether you want a glowing centerpiece or a more subtle etched accent piece, we’ll bring your vision to life.

We just tend to favor engraving because it unlocks what we love most — mirrors that shine back with personality.

The Bottom Line

Etching may soften reflection. Engraving transforms it.
One hides light — the other releases it.
That’s the difference between decoration and illumination.

Every glowing mirror we make starts with that choice.