EZGlassPattern · Copper foil vs lead cameCopper foil or lead came: which should I use?
The method changes how wide each line is and how small a piece can be. Drop your pattern and switch between foil and lead to see the difference.
Photos never leave your device. The check runs in your browser.
Answer in 30 seconds
Use copper foil for small, detailed pieces, suncatchers, lamps and 3D work; use lead came for larger flat panels and windows. Foil lines are thinner (about 1 mm of pattern line) and allow smaller pieces; lead came has a wider heart (about 2 mm) and makes strong, classic window lines.
- Detail: foil handles small pieces and tight shapes better.
- Size: lead came is the traditional choice for large flat panels.
- Your pattern: the method changes how much each piece shrinks, so check with the right one.
Copper foil vs lead came at a glance
| Copper foil (Tiffany method) | Lead came | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Suncatchers, lamps, boxes, detailed panels | Windows, door panels, larger flat panels |
| Line allowance | About 1 mm per line | About 2 mm (the came's heart) |
| Pattern shears | Foil shears, about 1 mm | Lead shears, about 1.5 to 2 mm |
| Smallest practical piece | Smaller | Larger |
| 3D work | Yes | Not really |
| Look | Fine, even solder lines | Bold, traditional leaded lines |
| Process | Wrap each piece in foil tape, solder the seams | Fit pieces into came channels, solder the joints, cement |
Key takeaways
- Foil for detail — small pieces, curves and 3D shapes.
- Lead for big flat panels — the classic window look.
- Line width eats into pieces — plan for about 1 mm (foil) or 2 mm (lead) per line.
- Check with the right method — a piece that's fine in foil can be a sliver in lead.
Why the method changes your pattern
Every line on a pattern takes up space in the finished panel: the foil and solder, or the heart of the came. That space comes out of the pieces on both sides. Pattern shears cut out that strip when you make your templates: foil shears take about 1 mm, lead shears about 1.5 to 2 mm.
So the same pattern makes smaller pieces in lead than in foil. A narrow piece that just works in foil can become too thin in lead. EZGlassPattern judges every piece at your final size minus the allowance for your chosen method.
Materials you'll need to buy
Copper foil is bought by length: roughly the total perimeter of all the pieces, because every piece edge is wrapped. Lead came is bought by length of the seams, plus the border. The shopping list in the pattern packet works out both. See how much glass and copper foil you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is copper foil or lead came easier for beginners?
Many beginners start with copper foil on small projects. Lead came is very approachable for simple flat panels with straight lines. Either is fine to learn.
Is copper foil as strong as lead came?
For small pieces and 3D work, foil is strong. Large windows are traditionally leaded, often with reinforcement; ask your glass supplier for a specific installation.
How much does the line width matter?
It matters for small pieces. With about 1 mm (foil) or 2 mm (lead) taken off along every line, a narrow piece can end up much thinner than the drawing suggests.
Can one pattern be used for both?
Usually, yes, but check it with each method. Pieces shrink more with lead came, so some may need merging.
What are pattern shears?
Three-bladed scissors that cut out a thin strip along each line as you cut your paper templates, so the pieces leave room for the foil or came.
The check is free. Pay once when you print.
No account and no card for the cut check. A Project Pass is $5 one-time for 30 days of printable pattern packets, with no subscription. Lifetime covers everything, forever.
Related
- Is my stained glass pattern cuttable?The free checker: drop a pattern and see which pieces can't be cut at your finished size, with one-click fixes.
- What makes a stained glass pattern good for beginners?What makes a pattern beginner-friendly, a checklist, and a free difficulty check for any pattern.
- How much glass and copper foil do I need?Glass area per colour plus waste, copper foil from piece perimeters, lead came from seams: the arithmetic and an example.
- Which cuts are impossible in glass?The cuts glass can't do (inside corners, enclosed pieces) and the ones that usually fail, with fixes.
- How do I print a stained glass pattern at actual size?Print at 100%, turn off fit to page, match the paper size, and measure the scale square before cutting.
- Make a stained glass pattern from a photoPhoto to pattern: choose a piece count, set the real size, fix flagged pieces, and print a full-size pattern.