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General Engraving Guidelines and Capabilities
Note: Deviations are permitted and welcome, but below are our standard
practices.
When placing your order, be sure to
select the font style you prefer, and specify capitalization. If a style is not
selected, we will use the default style for diamond drag engraving metal,
Century 2 line, or the most aesthetically pleasing combination of fonts to our
eyes for other engraving methods.
Metal Engraving
Diamond Drag or Rotary Machine Engraving of Metals
Diamond drag engraving is exactly what it
sounds like...a diamond is used to scratch the surface of metal, plowing a path
several thousandths of an inch wide.
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Diamond Drag Example |
Rotary engraving of metals involves a
spinning cutter that removes material from the surface of the metal, with the
capability of producing a wider and deeper path than the diamond drag process.
Lettering
If you can't find the desired font in our selection of Diamond Drag Fonts,
we can engrave and fill most any font in our 1000+ font collection for an additional cost on a
case-by-case basis. Letters greater than 1" are not recommended for standard diamond drag,
contact us for the best option on your product. This may be an application for filling a large
letter with a diamond drag pattern.
Artwork and Designs
We have a wide selection of art for diamond-drag and rotary engraving.
Please tell us your desired theme, and we will present you with options. We can also transform
your custom image into an engravable form. In general, photographs are not suited for rotary
or diamond drag engraving, but are usually engravable by laser.
Laser Engraving of Metals
Our laser will not cut into metal. However,
certain metals have a colored topcoat that permits laser engraving to give a
brilliant burnishing effect. Intricate designs are made easily, and most any
font can be used.
Additionally, the laser can be used to make permanent black markings on
metals with the use of a special marking material. Permanent black lettering and
artwork can be made on metals from aluminum to stainless steel.
Plastics and Acrylics Engraving
Plastic is the most versatile engraving material. It can be laser
cut or rotary engraved, and there is a wide selection of plastic colors and styles for almost
any application—from plates for plaques to outdoor signage. Plastics can also be cut in almost
any shape, such as a customized emblem on a street rod fender. Check out material selections
from Rowmark and IPI.
Acrylics are similar in user-friendliness to plastics, with the ability to be laser or
rotary engraved, and offer several different looks from a frosty white surface engraving
to a colorful "3-D" reverse engraved look.
Wood Engraving
Wood is also a versatile material for engraving. It is easily cut by
the rotary machine to make signs with a chiseled "3-D" look, or it can be lasered with intricate a
rtwork designs. Wood can also be used to cut out nearly any shape on the router table, such
as intricate designs for crafts.
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Lasered Walnut with Gold Applique Heading |
Color filling for wood
Wood can be filled with almost any color when rotary engraved or lasered.
Darkening of laser engraved wood is also available to make the engraving stand
out while retaining the natural look of the wood.
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Lasered Wood |
Lasered Wood After Darkening |
Leather Engraving
Leather can be engraved with intricate designs. Outlines can be cut
to give a subtle appearance or images and letters can be fully filled for a more noticeable
look. Quality of appearance depends on the quality of the leather, its condition
and color.
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Engraved Leather Example |
Glass Engraving
As a faster and less expensive alternative to sandblasting, engraving of
glass with a laser produces a quality marking. It is tough to match markings achieved by
sandblasting. But if cost is a concern, laser etched glassware is a great solution.
Photo Engraving
High contrast photos make the best engraved photos. When photo engraving
on brass or aluminum plates or leather, generally only black and white images show well. The use
of grayscale is limited. For photo engraving on clear acrylic, full grayscale can be achieved. We
would prefer to scan the original image ourselves for the best quality reproduction, but we will
accept high-resolution digital files. If you plan to supply your own digital photograph file,
generally pictures work best when scanned at 300 DPI or higher, scanned at the size of the desired
final engraved size. If we have to blow the picture up, quality often suffers, and requires a
higher resolution image.
Miscellaneous Formatting
Dates
Dates usually look best when fully spelled out, such as December 4, 2001.
However, we will engrave the date in whatever format you prefer.
Alternate Date Formats based on December 4, 2001:
Dec. 4, 2001, 12 - 4 - 2001, 12 - 04 - 2001, 12 - 4 - 01, 12 - 04 - 01
And vs. Ampersand
Please indicate whether you wish to use "and" or an ampersand,
"&", when included in your text.
Monograms
For all monogram engraving - the Last initial is in the center. We will
assume that all initials entered are in the correct format: First-Last-Middle
whenever monogram style is selected.
This does not apply to the mirrored cake toppers on our site. The last name of the groom is the
center letter and the initial of the groom’s first name is on the left, while the initial of
the bride’s first name is on the right.
Anniversary Engraving for Glassware
Usually, both names appear on both glasses, with the husband's name first.
But, we will engrave the names in whatever order you indicate. If both first
names are extremely long, you may wish to engrave one name on each glass.
The date that should be engraved is the year of the anniversary. For example,
if a couple is celebrating their 25th anniversary on August 10, 2002, although
they were married on August 10, 1977, the date should read August 10, 2002. If
you engraved August 10,1977, it would appear that they are celebrating their 50th
anniversary on August 10, 2002.
Wedding Engraving for Glassware
Engraving for first names and month will appear in upper and lower case.
Names are engraved on the first line. All other text is engraved on the
second line.
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Michael & Stephanie | |
July 8, 2002 |
You could also have the groom's name on one glass, and the bride's name on
the other glass.
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Michael | |
July 8, 2002 | |
Stephanie | |
July 8, 2002 |
The groom's name usually appears first when you have both names on both
glasses. We will engrave the names in whatever order you indicate when filling
out the order form. Please keep in mind that more letters means smaller
lettering. If you have two very long first names, you may with to use the
shorter version of those names, i.e.: instead of Maximilian & Jessica you
may wish to use Max & Jess, or engrave one name on each glass. |
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