Etched Disco Balls Pattern features overlapping spherical orbs wrapped in checkerboard squares and halftone dots, tumbled together at varying angles. The bold graphic effect comes from sharp contrast between dotted and checkered facets on each orb. The etched dichroic glass is dense and shimmer-forward. This pattern is freestyle and non-repeating.
A darker base works best with this pattern. The dense high-contrast etching reveals more dichroic shimmer when the negative space drops to a dark field, framing the bright graphic. Iridescent bases also work where a softer contrast is wanted.
Best for statement panels, focal cuts, and bold jewelry where dense graphic patterning anchors the piece.
Specifications
- SKU: 167906
- Category: Freestyle Etched Dichroic Glass
- Sheet size: 4" x 4"
- Weight: 1.8 oz
- COE: Available in COE90 or COE96 (select at order)
- Pattern: Etched Disco Balls — freestyle, non-repeating
- Coating: Dichroic, etched pattern on customer-selected base
Working Notes
Firing schedule: use the firing guidance for the base glass you select and adjust for your kiln, project thickness, layering, and desired finish. Firing schedules are guidelines, not guarantees. When appearance or compatibility is important, test a small piece before using the glass in a larger project.
Cap or no cap: Many artists use a clear cap to help protect the dichroic surface and create a richer, glassier look. Uncapped and tack-fused approaches may also be used depending on the project, firing style, and desired finish. Test a small piece first when the final appearance is important.
Cutting: score coating-side-down on the smooth back. Standard wheel, standard oil, standard pressure. Cut, run, separate as usual.
Anneal: Anneal according to the base glass manufacturer’s guidance for the total thickness and size of your project. The dichroic coating does not replace or reduce normal annealing requirements.
Devit risk: Devitrification risk depends on the base glass, firing temperature, kiln conditions, and surface exposure. A clear cap or appropriate glass-fusing practices may help protect the surface, especially when the base glass is prone to devit. Avoid direct flame unless you have tested the specific glass and coating combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is freestyle etched dichroic glass?
Freestyle etched dichroic is a dichroic-coated glass sheet where selected areas of the coating have been removed to leave a pattern. The remaining coating reflects and transmits light dichroically; the etched-through areas are clear to the base glass underneath. The coating is on one side of the sheet only. The pattern is intended for kiln-forming when used with compatible glass and appropriate firing practices.
What COE is available for Etched Disco Balls Pattern?
This pattern is available in COE90 or COE96 — select your preferred COE at order via the dropdown. The etched dichroic coating itself is COE-neutral; compatibility is set entirely by the base glass you select. Do not mix COE90 and COE96 in the same fused-glass project; incompatible expansion rates can cause cracking during cooling or later stress.
Which side of Etched Disco Balls Pattern is the dichroic coating on?
The coating is on the shinier, more reflective side. Hold the sheet up to a light: the side showing the pattern crisply with no shadow offset is the coated side. Cut coating-side-down to keep the pattern intact — pressure on the base glass, score line on the smooth back. Standard scoring oil and pressure; no special wheel needed.
Q4: Which base works best with this pattern?
A darker base shows the densest dichroic shimmer because the etched negative space drops to a dark field that frames the orb motifs. Iridescent or clear bases give a softer, lower-contrast read. Final pairing is yours to pick from the base drop-down.
