Here you will find Tips and Guidelines for getting the most out of our engraving services.
Please read for all our engraving services as these form part of our terms and conditions.
Engraving style overview.
At the Engraving van, we are proud that we primarily engrave using a traditional method of (machine) engraving using a diamond tipped tool. The diamond tool is moved across the metal surface to remove and/or burnish some layers of the metal. For this reason, it is often praised as being one of the most durable types of (machine) engraving and is suitable for very fine, detailed engraving.
When cutting an engraved pattern or text with this traditional method, it is possible to consider and incorporate different engraving styles (single line, outline, hatching, patterns, reverse images etc) into the design that can emulate historical styles as well as the most contemporary ideas. The cutting direction, engraving style and number of hatch lines used as the diamond tool is moved across the metal will affect how the light is reflected from the engraved area and also how the engraving contrasts with the surrounding metal finish. Each engraving is thoughtfully applied by us to make the most of these affects, allowing the best possible result on your product.
Please keep in mind that this engraving method is not suitable for engraving full photographs.
Engraving on coloured metals, such as Anodized Aluminium.
The diamond tip cuts through the outer surface layers on coloured metals (such as anodized aluminium) and therefore the engraved area displays the natural colour of the underlying metal. This will contrast well with the surrounding, remaining coloured surface. In order to provide longevity, we cut our engravings to the point where they are as deep as possible, without losing clarity of the engraved details.
When you are designing your engraving for Anodized Aluminium, please keep in mind that whilst the level of detail possible is relatively high, due to the nature of the anodized (coloured) surface layers, there will be microscopic chipping to the upper surfaces of the metal. This is normal, but should be taken into account when deciding upon which type of metal your design will translate to for optimum results.
Overall, this means that the contrast between the natural metal colour and the colour produced during anodization, provides a fantastic option for bright looking engravings that really stand out, but if you have a design that incorporates incredibly fine detail, you may prefer to choose a natural, solid metal for your design as the fine detail will engrave more clearly.
Please view our gallery of images of some of our previous engravings to see examples of engravings achieved on Anodized Aluminium products.
Engraving on solid, sterling silver and other natural colour metals.
For solid (non-coated or non-plated) metals such as Sterling Silver, Brass, Stainless Steel and copper, the diamond tip cuts fine lines away from the surface of the metal in the areas that are being engraved and leaves a lovely, burnished, bright, traditional style engraving which is clear in colour and reflects light differently to the surrounding metal surface. It is the varying reflection of light which showcases the details of the engraving. Using Diamond Tipped engraving on natural colour solid metals is a great option, especially for extra small text and minute details and for timeless engraving on jewellery pieces.
Please view our gallery of images of some of our previous engravings on natural colour solid metals. If there appears to be any colour within the engraving itself, this is the light, shadow and reflections alone. Unlike some laser engraving options, our engravings are clear (no colour), and showcase the natural beauty and reflections of the the metal itself.
Personalised engraving with standard text.
There are a wealth of fonts available for engraving and lots of them are fun! The most important consideration is whether the recipient will be able to read the font clearly, for its intended purpose. Most of our engravable objects are small, but the engraving should still have clarity, even if it needs magnification to read (such as if you choose to engrave a ‘secret message’ product).
The fonts available to select on our order form are ones we have tried and tested many times on the associated products, alongside the recommended associated maximum number of characters, spaces, punctuation marks and lines per engraved side.
Simply type in your chosen text on the relevant spaces on the form and add any special instructions in the comments space.
The final sizing and position of the text to suit your chosen product will be at the discretion of the engraver unless specified otherwise in the comments box on the order form.
If you do require different fonts, symbols or more lines, or more characters engraved on your piece, then please contact us to discuss your options. Most fonts, patterns or symbols can be engraved
CUSTOM ENGRAVING
Child’s Drawing/Line Drawing/Handwriting engraving service.
We love the fact that a child’s drawing or any line drawing or handwriting can be translated into an engraving. This is a very characterful and personal way of engraving an item to treasure.
All images sent to us for engraving need to be in black and white. The black (pen) areas will be engraved onto the metal and the white background will be left as the natural surface colour of your chosen metal. Thick pens (such as a sharpie) with very little ‘bleed’ onto the paper, convert well to a child’s line drawing. Handwriting from letters, celebration cards or any clear document can be scanned and uploaded.
Please upload an image of your drawing and/or handwriting with your order. Our preferred image file format is .png as this converts well for engraving. However, a good quality .jpeg is also acceptable. Please ensure that your images are of high quality as the quality of your image will affect the quality of engraving.
Please consider whether the size and shape of your drawing will fit well onto your chosen product and whether it will fit best in landscape or portrait format. You can add any preference into the comments box on the order form.
If you do not wish to send your drawing or handwriting image digitally, then please bring it along and come and see us at one of our engraving van stops where we be able to scan and convert your image for you, ready for engraving.
If you have any problems or questions about your drawing or handwriting image, then please come and see us at one of the engraving van stops or contact us for advice before submitting your order. Unfortunately, we cannot correct any mistakes or offer a refund due to errors or incorrect format or poor quality image uploads. The image that is received in the upload is what will be engraved on your product. The final sizing and position of the design to suit your chosen product will be at the discretion of the engraver.
Please see our gallery for examples of the types of line drawing and handwriting that have translated well into engraving, prior to ordering.
Fingerprint Engraving service.
A fingerprint engraving is another lovely way to personalise a piece. Fingerprint engravings can be added to any of our products.
You can either take a fingerprint yourself using a safe method/ink and upload it in the order from. Our preferred image file format is .png as this converts well for engraving. However, a good quality .jpeg is also acceptable. Please ensure that your images are of high quality as the quality of your image will affect the quality of engraving and we are unable to take responsibility or offer any refunds for poor image quality or incorrect format uploads. The image that you upload is what will be engraved.
The final sizing and position of the design to suit your chosen product will be at the discretion of the engraver.
If you wish to have an ink free and clear scan taken of your fingerprint, then please come and visit us in person at one of our engraving van stops where taking a scan of your fingerprint digitally will only take a couple of minutes (and will be ink free!).
The above advice for Fingerprint Engraving also applies for sending us files for Footprint, Handprint or Paw Print engraving. However, we are not able to scan these in person.
CUSTOM ENGRAVING
Engraving your own Custom Designs and images.
This service is suitable for uploading your own logos, patterns, custom images (not photographs) or suitable custom designs.
For this service, you have two options.
1). Upload individual image/images/symbols/logos for us to place on your chosen product in the positions where the engraver feels is most suited to the template shape of the product. Keep in mind the shape of your chosen product and how the image/images will look on the product shape.
Your images will need to be in black and white. The black part of the image will be engraved and the white will remain clear as the surface of your chosen metal.
On metal and especially on anodized aluminium, it generally looks much better to have your smaller areas/thinner lines of your design engraved (uploaded as your black lines) and leave the larger areas (and space) in your design (uploaded as the white/background of your image) as the surface colour of the metal . Think about whether it will be better for you to complete a reverse image translation of your image before uploading.
Please upload an image of your custom image with your order. Our preferred image file format is .png as these convert well for engraving. However, a good quality .jpeg is also acceptable. Please also ensure that your images are of high quality as the quality of your image will affect the quality of engraving. Please bare in mind that this engraving method is not suitable for engraving full photographs.
If you have anything that you wish to explain about your engraving order, please use the comments box in the order form to relay this information to the engraver.
Please ensure that your images do not infringe on any copyright laws or regulations. We are not able to check this for each design and cannot take responsibility to check this for you.
The final sizing and position of the design to suit the product will be at the discretion of the engraver.
If you have any problems or questions about your design or order, then please come and see us at one of the engraving van stops or contact us for advice before submitting your order. Unfortunately, we cannot correct any mistakes or offer a refund due to errors or incorrect format design uploads or poor quality images. The image from your uploaded file is what will be engraved on your product. The final sizing and positioning of your image to best fit your chosen product rests with the engraver.
2). Upload an image of your own design that already fits the template of your chosen product.
Align your design to the engraving shape and space available for your chosen product when you are creating your design. As a general rule, a 2mm border (approximately), clear of your artwork is required around the external boundaries of the product. Please keep this in mind when designing your engraving file. Templates for our product shapes are available to download HERE. Each template is available in either .pdf or .png format. On all of our product templates, an approximate border is shown in red as a guide to assist you. Please keep your image design within this border.
Your image will need to be in black and white. The black part of the image will be engraved and the white will be left clear as the surface of your chosen metal.
On metal and especially on anodized aluminium, it generally looks much better to have your smaller areas/thinner lines of your design engraved (uploaded as your black lines) in your design and leave the larger areas (and space) in your design (uploaded as the white/background of your image) as the surface colour of the metal . Think about whether it will be better to complete a reverse image translation for your image before uploading.
Please upload an image of your custom image with your order. Our preferred image file format is .png as these convert well for engraving. However, a good quality .jpeg is also acceptable. Please ensure that your images are of high quality as the quality of your image will affect the quality of engraving. Please keep in mind that this engraving technique is not suitable for engraving full photographs.
If you have anything that you wish to explain about your engraving order, please use the comments box in the order form to relay this information to the engraver.
The final sizing and position of the design to suit the product will be at the discretion of the engraver.
Please ensure that your images do not infringe on any copyright laws or regulations. We are not able to check this for each design and cannot take responsibility to check this for you.
If you have any problems or questions about your design or order, then please come and see us at one of the engraving van stops or contact us for advice before submitting your order. Unfortunately, we cannot correct any mistakes or offer a refund due to errors or incorrect format design uploads or poor quality images. The image from your uploaded file is what will be engraved on your product. The final sizing and positioning of your design to best fit your chosen product rests with the engraver.
Bespoke engraving service.
If you are unable to complete your design yourself and would like us to design a bespoke engraving for you then please get in touch. Please note that there will be an upfront design fee for this service which is redeemable from the final product.
Bespoke design, making and engraving service.
If you have a specific shape of (2D) object that you would like us to design and make for your engraving, then please get in touch. Please note that there will be an upfront design fee for this service which is redeemable from the final product.
Please allow between 4 – 6 weeks for your bespoke design, making and engraving service, especially if your piece needs to be sent to our UK Assay office for Hallmarking.
If you have any problems or questions about your design or order, then please come and see us at one of the engraving van stops or contact us for advice before submitting your order.
Engraving of your own jewellery and other metal objects.
If you would like to have your own items engraved, please come and see us in person on our Engraving Van route, or contact us to discuss your available options.
Business to Business Engraving Services.
If you are a small business and would like to use our engraving service then please get in touch or come and talk to us in person at one of our engraving van stops.