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Woodworking
How to Etch Wood Download Article Co-authored by Garrett Faust
Last Updated: March 10, 2025
Download Article
Choosing and Prepping the Wood
|
Creating and Transferring the Design
|
Etching the Wood
|
Finishing the Job
|
Expert Interview
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Garrett Faust. Garrett Faust is a Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs. He is also the Co-Founder of Uptown Woodworks based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over seven years of professional experience, Garrett and co-founder, Harrison, specialize in creating custom wood wall art and signs. They use CNC lasers and routers to cut out or engrave detailed artwork. Garrett received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas. This article has been viewed 96,004 times.
Wood etching can be done with all sorts of tools, from chisels to wood burners. How you do it and what tool you use depends on what sort of look you are going for. Chisels and gouges will give you a nice, deeply-engraved design while a dremel will give you a lighter one. Wood burners will give you nice, dark lines, and depending on the type of wood, may also give you a shallow cut. The process may sound scary at first, but it is quite simple once you know what to do.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 4:
Choosing and Prepping the Wood
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1 Find an object to etch. You can etch just about anything, from coat racks to hammer handles, plaques to signs. If you are just starting out, a simple plaque or sign would be the easiest.[1]XResearch source
2 Consider the type of wood you'd like to work with. There are different types of wood: softwood and hardwood. Softwood, such as fir and white pine, is cheaper and easier to work with, but it comes in only a few choices. Hardwood comes in a greater variety, but it is more expensive and harder to work with. The easiest types of hardwood to engrave include: alder, basswood, cherry, Philippine Mahogany, and walnut.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Remove previous varnish if desired. You can do this with sandpaper or a solvent.[3]XResearch source If your piece has wood stain on it, consider leaving the stain on. The carving will remove the dark color and reveal the light color underneath.
Solvents are also called "liquid sandpaper." Each brand will be a little different, so read the directions on the label carefully.
4 Sand the surface smooth, if needed. This will help even out the wood grain and make it easier for the tools to glide across it. Use medium-grit sandpaper for this and go with the grain.[4]XResearch source If you bought your piece from a craft store, it may already be sanded smooth for you. It would still be a good idea to inspect the piece, and smooth out any rough patches.
5 Wipe away the sawdust with a tack cloth. If you do not have a tack cloth, you can use a soft, damp cloth instead. You should do this even if you will be carving into the wood.
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 4:
Creating and Transferring the Design
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1 Choose your design. You can etch just about anything onto wood, from pictures to symbols to words and phrases. Create your design on a sheet of paper or print it off of the computer.[5]X Expert Source Garrett FaustDesigner & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & SignsExpert Interview If you are just starting out, a simple design with lots of straight lines will be the easiest to engrave.[6]XResearch source Transfer the design to your project using one of the methods listed below.
2 Trace designs using stencils if you want something easy. You can design and cut your own stencil, or you can buy one from the store. Place the stencil over the wood where you want the design to go. Secure it with painter's tape, then trace the designs with a pencil. Put the stencil away when you are done.[7]X Expert Source Garrett FaustDesigner & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & SignsExpert Interview
You can cut stencils out of blank stencil plastic, quilter's template plastic, contact paper, cardstock, or even freezer paper.
3 Use graphite paper if you want to transfer a custom design. Place the graphite paper onto the wood, graphite-side-down. Secure it with painter's tape, then sketch out your design on top of the paper. Remove the graphite paper hen you are done; your design should be imprinted on top of the wood.[8]XResearch source
If you printed your design from the computer, coat the back of the paper with graphite, then use it as directed above.
4 Draw your design directly onto the wood with pencil if you are a good artist. This is the quickest and easiest way to transfer your design onto the wood. It requires a precise and steady hand, however. While it is possible to erase mistakes from wood, the less erasing you have to do, the better.[9]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 4:
Etching the Wood
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1 Use a wood chisel if you want to carve straight lines. You will need to cut each line twice to create a V-shaped groove. Hold the tool at a 20 to 30-degree angle to your pencil mark. Rock the tool back and forth to make a 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.6 to 3.2 millimeters) deep cut. Brush away the wood slither, then make the next cut to complete the V-shape.[10]XResearch source
Do all of the lines that run perpendicular to the wood grain first, then do the lines that run parallel to the grain. This reduces chipping.
2 Use a wood gouge if you want to carve straight or curved lines. Hold the gouge at a 20 to 30-degree angle to the pencil mark. Gently tap it from behind as you push the tip into the wood. Make each cut 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.6 to 3.2 millimeters) deep. Brush away the slithers as you work.[11]XResearch source You can use this in combination with wood chisels.
Wood gouges are also called "wood carving tools."
Wood gouges have all sort of tips, including: chisel, curved, or V-shaped.
3 Use dremels if you want to lightly etch a design onto the surface. Choose a dremel tip that suits your design; a sanding or engraving tip would work well. Hold the dremel like a pencil and over thin lines. If you have thick designs (like block letters), outline the design with a fine tip first, then fill it in with a larger one.
This method works well on surfaces coated with wood stain.
You can also use smaller engraving tools in a similar way.
4 Use wood burning tools to create dark lines. Most wood burning tools come with a chisel-like tip. You use the thin edge to make thin lines and the wide edge to make thick lines—like a calligraphy pen.[12]XResearch source Some wood burning tools also come with shaped tips, such as letters, that you can use to stamp or brand designs onto the wood instead.[13]X Expert Source Garrett FaustDesigner & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & SignsExpert Interview [14]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 4 Part 4 of 4:
Finishing the Job
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1 Lightly sand any carved surfaces. Fold a piece of 120-grit sandpaper into a thin strip. Wrap it around your finger, then lightly sand the inside edges of the carved line. This removes any chips or splinters.[15]XResearch source
Skip this step if you etched the surface with a wood burning tool or a dremel.
2 Wipe the sanding dust away with a tack cloth. You should do this if you etched the wood using a chisel, gouge, or dremel. Any dust left on the wood may get trapped in the topcoat during the next step.
If you don't have a tack cloth, use a soft, damp cloth instead.
Skip this step if you etched the surface with a wood burning tool.
3 Apply a top coat, if desired. You can leave your etched wood as-is, or you can give it a finished look with topcoat. Choose a topcoat in a finish that appeals to you (matte, satin, or glossy), then apply a thin coat. Use lacquer for pieces that will be kept inside, and weather-resistant polyurethane for pieces that will be kept outside.[16]XResearch source
Apply spray-on topcoats using a sweeping motion, overlapping each stroke.
Apply brush-on topcoats with a flat, wide paintbrush. Go with the grain and overlap each stroke.
4 Allow the top coat to dry before applying another coat. For indoor or decorative pieces, you could get away with just one coat. If the piece will be kept outside or used often, you might want to apply one or two more light coats. Allow each coat to dry before adding the next one.
Don't apply the coats too quickly or too soon, otherwise they may turn out tacky.
5 Let the top coat dry and cure completely before using the piece. How long this takes depends on the type of topcoat you are using. Some are completely dry and ready to use in several hours. Others, especially outdoor types, often require several days in which to cure.
Read the label on your can or bottle of topcoat. Keep in mind that things like humidity, weather, and temperature may also affect drying and curing times.
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
Use softwood, such as pine, to practice. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Flat surfaces, such as plaques, will be easier to work on than curved surfaces. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you will be etching with a chisel, gouge, or dremel, consider painting or staining the surface first. The raw wood revealed by the carving process will stand out better. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Be careful with any wood etching tool. Chisels and gouges are sharp, while wood burning tools can get very hot. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Wood
Medium and fine-grit sandpaper
Chisel, gouge, wood burner, or dremel
Topcoat
Wide, flat paintbrush (if using brush-on topcoat).
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about woodworking, check out our in-depth interview with Garrett Faust.
Co-authored by: Garrett Faust Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs This article was co-authored by Garrett Faust. Garrett Faust is a Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs. He is also the Co-Founder of Uptown Woodworks based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over seven years of professional experience, Garrett and co-founder, Harrison, specialize in creating custom wood wall art and signs. They use CNC lasers and routers to cut out or engrave detailed artwork. Garrett received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas. This article has been viewed 96,004 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 5Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 96,004 Categories: WoodworkingArticle SummaryX
There are a variety of tools you can use to etch wood, and the right one for your project depends on what kind of design you're going for. Use a wood chisel to mark the straight lines and a wood gouge for the curved lines. If you want to etch darker lines, get a wood burning pen. You can also use a sanding or engraving tip for a Dremel for lighter etchings. Whichever tools you use, sand the wood you're etching first so it's smooth and easier to etch into. Then, draw your design on the wood free-hand or transfer a design onto it using a template. Once you’ve finished your design, sand over the surface to make it smooth again. You can also add 1 or 2 layers of topcoat to protect the surface. For more tips, like how to transfer a custom design to your wood with graphite paper, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Garrett Faust Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs 2 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 5Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 96,004
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Co-authored by: Garrett Faust Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs This article was co-authored by Garrett Faust. Garrett Faust is a Designer & Fabricator of Custom Wood Wall Art & Signs. He is also the Co-Founder of Uptown Woodworks based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over seven years of professional experience, Garrett and co-founder, Harrison, specialize in creating custom wood wall art and signs. They use CNC lasers and routers to cut out or engrave detailed artwork. Garrett received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas. This article has been viewed 96,004 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 5 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 96,004 Categories: Woodworking Article SummaryX
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1 Find an object to etch. You can etch just about anything, from coat racks to hammer handles, plaques to signs. If you are just starting out, a simple plaque or sign would be the easiest.[1] 
2 Consider the type of wood you'd like to work with. There are different types of wood: softwood and hardwood. Softwood, such as fir and white pine, is cheaper and easier to work with, but it comes in only a few choices. Hardwood comes in a greater variety, but it is more expensive and harder to work with. The easiest types of hardwood to engrave include: alder, basswood, cherry, Philippine Mahogany, and walnut.[2] Advertisement 
3 Remove previous varnish if desired. You can do this with sandpaper or a solvent.[3] If your piece has wood stain on it, consider leaving the stain on. The carving will remove the dark color and reveal the light color underneath. 
4 Sand the surface smooth, if needed. This will help even out the wood grain and make it easier for the tools to glide across it. Use medium-grit sandpaper for this and go with the grain.[4] If you bought your piece from a craft store, it may already be sanded smooth for you. It would still be a good idea to inspect the piece, and smooth out any rough patches. 
5 Wipe away the sawdust with a tack cloth. If you do not have a tack cloth, you can use a soft, damp cloth instead. You should do this even if you will be carving into the wood. Advertisement 
1 Choose your design. You can etch just about anything onto wood, from pictures to symbols to words and phrases. Create your design on a sheet of paper or print it off of the computer.[5] If you are just starting out, a simple design with lots of straight lines will be the easiest to engrave.[6] Transfer the design to your project using one of the methods listed below. 
2 Trace designs using stencils if you want something easy. You can design and cut your own stencil, or you can buy one from the store. Place the stencil over the wood where you want the design to go. Secure it with painter's tape, then trace the designs with a pencil. Put the stencil away when you are done.[7] 
3 Use graphite paper if you want to transfer a custom design. Place the graphite paper onto the wood, graphite-side-down. Secure it with painter's tape, then sketch out your design on top of the paper. Remove the graphite paper hen you are done; your design should be imprinted on top of the wood.[8] 
4 Draw your design directly onto the wood with pencil if you are a good artist. This is the quickest and easiest way to transfer your design onto the wood. It requires a precise and steady hand, however. While it is possible to erase mistakes from wood, the less erasing you have to do, the better.[9] Advertisement 
1 Use a wood chisel if you want to carve straight lines. You will need to cut each line twice to create a V-shaped groove. Hold the tool at a 20 to 30-degree angle to your pencil mark. Rock the tool back and forth to make a 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.6 to 3.2 millimeters) deep cut. Brush away the wood slither, then make the next cut to complete the V-shape.[10] 
2 Use a wood gouge if you want to carve straight or curved lines. Hold the gouge at a 20 to 30-degree angle to the pencil mark. Gently tap it from behind as you push the tip into the wood. Make each cut 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.6 to 3.2 millimeters) deep. Brush away the slithers as you work.[11] You can use this in combination with wood chisels. 
3 Use dremels if you want to lightly etch a design onto the surface. Choose a dremel tip that suits your design; a sanding or engraving tip would work well. Hold the dremel like a pencil and over thin lines. If you have thick designs (like block letters), outline the design with a fine tip first, then fill it in with a larger one. 
4 Use wood burning tools to create dark lines. Most wood burning tools come with a chisel-like tip. You use the thin edge to make thin lines and the wide edge to make thick lines—like a calligraphy pen.[12] Some wood burning tools also come with shaped tips, such as letters, that you can use to stamp or brand designs onto the wood instead.[13] [14] Advertisement 
1 Lightly sand any carved surfaces. Fold a piece of 120-grit sandpaper into a thin strip. Wrap it around your finger, then lightly sand the inside edges of the carved line. This removes any chips or splinters.[15] 
2 Wipe the sanding dust away with a tack cloth. You should do this if you etched the wood using a chisel, gouge, or dremel. Any dust left on the wood may get trapped in the topcoat during the next step. 
3 Apply a top coat, if desired. You can leave your etched wood as-is, or you can give it a finished look with topcoat. Choose a topcoat in a finish that appeals to you (matte, satin, or glossy), then apply a thin coat. Use lacquer for pieces that will be kept inside, and weather-resistant polyurethane for pieces that will be kept outside.[16] 
4 Allow the top coat to dry before applying another coat. For indoor or decorative pieces, you could get away with just one coat. If the piece will be kept outside or used often, you might want to apply one or two more light coats. Allow each coat to dry before adding the next one. 
5 Let the top coat dry and cure completely before using the piece. How long this takes depends on the type of topcoat you are using. Some are completely dry and ready to use in several hours. Others, especially outdoor types, often require several days in which to cure.