Stained Glass Vocabulary in English

Came is a thin strip of metal, usually lead, with a grooved channel running along each side, used to hold pieces of cut glass firmly in place. Once all the pieces of a design are fitted into came, called leading, the joints where the strips cross are joined permanently with solder.

The lead came method uses grooved metal strips to hold glass and is traditional for larger, sturdier windows. The copper foil method, developed later, wraps thin adhesive copper tape around each glass edge and then solders the seams, allowing for much finer, more delicate detail, which is why it is often preferred for small decorative items like lamps.

A cartoon is a full-size, detailed drawing that shows the entire design of a stained glass window, including where every colour and lead line will go. It is used to trace individual patterns for each piece of glass and guides the artist throughout cutting and assembly, ensuring the final panel matches the original vision.

Grozing is the technique of using special pliers to nibble away tiny fragments from the edge of a cut piece of glass. It is used to fine-tune a shape, especially curves, so the piece fits its pattern exactly. Traditional grozing pliers have slightly serrated jaws designed for controlled, small breaks.

Cathedral glass is smooth and translucent, letting light pass through clearly in a single, even colour, which is why it is common in church windows depicting scenes. Opalescent glass is milky and semi-opaque, often swirling several colours together within one sheet, and is popular for lampshades and decorative panels where a softer, glowing light is wanted.

Flux is a chemical paste or liquid applied to metal surfaces, such as lead came or copper foil, before soldering. It cleans the surface and helps the melted solder flow smoothly and bond properly, preventing weak, patchy joints. Without flux, solder tends to bead up rather than spreading evenly along the seam.

In stained glass, a patina is a chemical solution brushed onto finished solder lines to change their bright, silvery colour, often to a matte black or antique copper tone. This makes the metal lines look more traditional and less distracting, helping the coloured glass itself remain the visual focus of the finished panel.

Yes, especially for learners interested in art, craft, or architectural history. This vocabulary appears in museum descriptions, church guides, and craft tutorials, and words like panel, pattern, and border are useful in broader design contexts too. It is good practice for precise, technical process language.

Traditional stained glass joins separately cut pieces using came or foil and metal solder. Fusing is a different technique that melts pieces of glass together inside a kiln at high heat, so they become one solid piece with no metal joins at all, giving a smoother, more sculptural result.

Start with the everyday core: glass, colour, panel, pattern, and window. These describe the basic materials and finished object. At higher levels, add came, solder, foil, cartoon, and grozing, which let you discuss technique like an experienced stained glass artist.