Engraved gifts

How engraving is done

Most personalised engraving today is done by laser: a computer-controlled beam marks or removes a thin layer of the surface, so no ink is involved and the design comes out exactly as set on screen. On wood it leaves a darker, toasted line; on slate a pale grey one; on glass a frosted mark.

Other methods you’ll see in listings:

• Rotary or diamond-drag engraving — a cutter or diamond tip physically scratches the design into metal, often used for jewellery, tankards and trophies.
• Hand engraving — a skilled engraver cuts the letters with hand tools. It costs more and is less common online, but each piece is unique.
• Sandblasting and etching (glass) — a stencil masks the glass and the exposed area is frosted. Wheel and diamond-point engraving are traditional glass crafts too.

What to check

• Material and finish. The same design looks different on oak, bamboo, slate, stainless steel or crystal. Look at photos of real engraved examples, not just mock-ups.
• Font and size. Very thin script fonts can lose detail when engraved small. Ask for a proof if the wording is long.
• Placement. On curved items (glasses, flasks, tankards) the space for text is smaller than it looks.
• Care. Many engraved wooden boards shouldn’t go in the dishwasher; follow the seller’s care notes.

Sources

• Wikipedia — Laser engraving
• Wikipedia — Engraved glass
• Wikipedia — Engraving