Etching with high pressure sand remains a very effective way to introduce variation to a glass surface. Like hydrofluoric acid, it is often used to remove selected areas of color in flashed glass (see Acid Etching) or glass previously painted and fired with vitreous enamel to reveal the layer beneath.

The use of resists created with photo sensitive emulsions allows very gentle gradations when etching with sand. Sandblasting is often used for carving glass, usually thick float glass. Dramatic reliefs are possible with this method. Often, selected areas are acid polished afterwards to create contrasting textures within a carved piece.