Engraving

Contents

• Engraving Services

• Custom Engraving

• Text Engraving

• Monogram Engraving

Custom Engraving

Question: What is Custom Engraving?

Custom engraving is an advanced engraving process that allows us to merge together pieces of your artwork and text to create a composite that can be engraved into an item of your choosing.

View Engraving Gallery

Question: How do I Place a Custom Engraving Order?

It really is simple. First, all you need is:

• (1) Access to the artwork or images that you want to use.
• (2) An idea of what you want to the resulting engraving to look like.
• (3) Remember to Relax! We are here to assist you. If we require anything additional to what you have submitted, to create your proof, we will contact you via email.

Second, follow this 3-step process:

Question: What exactly do I email over for custom engraving?

1. Email us your artwork as attachments. Your files can be images (.jpg, .png, .tiff, .psd, .raw) or PDF files.

2. In your email let us know what item you are interested in engraving. (You can copy and paste the item name, product code or page URL for our reference).

3. Provide us with notes about the layout you would like e.g.

JOHN SMITH
[Attached Image]
11-14-2012

MARY JOE LUCAS (In an arc)
[Footprints Images Attached]
2-3-2014 4:50AM
7LBS 5OZ 20.5IN

I want the name BOND on top
of the image of the family crest
and the saying THE WORLD
IS NOT ENOUGH below the
crest in a arc. All centered.

You can even sketch your layout on a napkin (it doesn't have to be pretty). Take a picture and attach it to your email for our reference. We will email a preview proof for review and approval prior to placing your order.

We do hundreds of custom engraved orders, so please do not worry about making mistakes, we are here to assist you. If we require something we will let you know.

Question: What type of artwork can be custom engraved?

Custom engraving can be done with what is best described as "line defined" images. That is any image, illustration or text that can be identified by clear lines. To make things easy, we recommend that you email us your images or artwork and we will let you know if we are able to use it for engraving.

Examples of line defined artwork that can be custom engraved include (click to view samples):

• Logos
• Hand drawn pictures
• Sketches
• Illustrations
• Handwriting
• Footprints
• Hand prints
• Thumbprints
• Paw prints
• Family crests
• Badges
• Text using special font types
• Text in different languages
• Tattoo art
• Maps

Question: Can a photograph be custom engraved?

Unfortunately we are unable to engrave photographs as they are not "line defined" artwork.

To explain … when engraving or cutting into metal, wood or leather we cut lines or strokes along a path that makes up the artwork.

Photographs are the combination of highlights and shadows and are not defined by lines or outlines, although they may appear that way to the eye. You would need to convert that photograph into a sketch or poster illustration to allow for it to be engraved. We recommend that you email us your image so we can determine if it can be used or not.

You may have seen items for sale elsewhere that have photographs on them and referred to as photo-engraving. This is not engraving, as nothing is cut into the metal or the item material, and is not permanent. This is a chemical layering process similar to screen printing a t-shirt.

Question: I have an image and text for custom engraving. How do I submit them?

Email us the text you want engraved and image as an attachment. Describe your layout or attach a rough sketch for our reference. We will position and merge the elements together, and email a proof for your review and further consideration.

Question: I have printed images I want to use. How do I submit them for custom engraving?

Scan your images or take a photograph using your cell phone or digital camera and attach them to your email. Remember to provide us with some guidance as to what you want done in terms of positioning and the layout of your images and we will email you an engraving proof for your review.

Question: Are there tips for taking a picture to be used for custom engraving?

Best practices for taking photographs of content for engraving are as follows:

1. The bigger the image of the content you want engraved, the better detail we can bring out in your engraving - For example: If you are taking a picture of a printed birth certificate and want to use the footprints in your engraving, it is hard to capture both footprints in a single photograph. In which case, take 2 photographs. One of each footprint and email the 2 images. We will position, resize and merge all the elements together for you to review in your proof.
2. Maximize the light on the content you are trying to photograph - Try to take a picture with NO shadow falling on the artwork. Outdoors in sunlight is always good or in a brightly lit room. Try to position any shadows off the content as best as possible. Even if there is some shadow we should be able to take care of it, but this tip provides us with better images to work with.
3. Email us the largest possible file size that your scanner or phone/camera allows - Most of our clients use their phones to email images, in which case, most phones give you a selection of file size options to use. Use the largest. This way we can bring out more detail and a better quality engraving.

Question: The images I want to use are online, how do I submit them for custom engraving?

Either copy and paste them into your email or save them onto your computer (i.e. right click your mouse to save image) or phone (i.e. touch and hold to save, or take a screen shot ) and email them to us. We recommend sending the images as attachments as some email services do not transfer copy and pasted images.

Question: I have multiple images that I want to use in my custom engraving. How can I do this?

Email us the individual images as attachments. Provide a description of your layout or attach a sketch (i.e. it does not have to be to scale or be pretty) for our reference. We will create a proof for your review and approval.

Question: Do I have to size my artwork for custom engraving?

Not at all. In fact we recommend that you do not size anything down. The bigger the image the better and we can bring out more detail in your engraving.

Question: How do I custom engrave a family crest?

Family crest engraving is something we do a lot of. Please email us an image of the crest and make a note of what changes or edits you would like to be made. We have to simplify excessive decorative detail and flourishes, allowing the prominent crest elements to be visible once engraved on smaller surfaces. However, you will be able to preview the result in your proof prior to placing your order.

Question: How do I custom engrave select words from a handwritten letter?

Email us photographs of the handwritten passages that include the words you want engraved. Attach those images to your email and let us know what words or passage you want to be engraved. We will extract and position the handwritten words to allow for best legibility on the item being engraved. You will receive an engraving proof for preview.

Question: How do I custom engrave a police badge?

Email us a photograph of the badge (see best practices) as an attachment. Please also let us know if you want any text above or below or on the badge, or perhaps placed on the badge in your engraving. We will email you a proof for review.

Question: How do I submit Hebrew text to be custom engraved?

Email us a PDF or Word Document of the Hebrew text. Please try and make the font size as large as possible. We will try our best to match the Hebrew font style or get as close to it as possible.

Question: How do I submit a logo for custom engraving?

Email us an attachment of your logo (image file or PDF). Let us know what item you wish to engrave and if you want any additional text or changes made to the logo. We will email you an engraving proof for review and approval.

Text Engraving

At Sandy Steven Engravers, traditional text engraving is processed using stencil engraving machines and computerized engraving depending on selected font styles and item being engraved. Most items are suitable for text engraving, however it is very important that you consider the physical size, space available and amount of text to be engraved so that the result is legible.

Question: What is text engraving?

Text engraving is the use of hand gravers or engraving machines to cut into and displace metal or material of an item creating a permanent inscription. Engraved text can be a combination of words, letters, punctuation and numbers.

Question: How do I submit my text engraving for my order?

You can type in your text into the fields provided on an item page as follows

1. Select the font style and orientation you want to use - View text engraving fonts.
2. Type in your text AS YOU WANT IT ENGRAVED into the text fields provided (Please Note: Uppercase and lowercase letters will be engraved as submitted).

If you are uncertain, do not worry. Please email us with the item reference (item name or item code or URL) and the text you would like to engrave and we will help you.

Question: What text engraving fonts can be used?

Our available engraving fonts are:

Roman or Century (Upper and lowercase)

Notes: Most popular engraving font. Bold with a classic, vintage feel. Very legible.

Single Line Block

Notes: Popular font. Simple single line engraving. Recommended when engraving a lot of text. Military looking font. Legible. Not very elaborate in style.

Script (Upper and lowercase)

Notes: Not recommended if engraving a lot of text as the font is slanted and takes more horizontal space. Recommended if using upper and lowercase lettering. Not recommended for all uppercase text. Text is recommended for use on small engraving areas and not large areas as the text looks lost if there is a lot of surrounding space.

Question: I want to use an engraving font that I don’t see available. How do I get that done?

This will be approached as a custom engraving. We will need to create a stencil plate for your submitted text and font type. See custom engraving FAQ

Question: Can I see what my text engraving will look like before my order is processed?

We only send you engraving proofs for custom engraved orders as we can manipulate all the elements digitally to provide you with a visual reference. Since we use stencils and hand engraving machines for text engraving, some font types cannot be duplicated exactly using a computer (spacing, decorative detail etc.) However, if you request to see the positioning of your text we will be happy to send you a proof via email

Question: How much does text engraving cost?

The cost of your text engraving is dependent on the amount of text and the item being engraved. For items that we retail the text engraving price is stated on the item page. For items sent to us by you for engraving we will quote you a total price depending on the complexity of the engraving. For more information please email us.

Monogram Engraving

At Sandy Steven Engravers, monogram engraving is processed using stencil engraving machines and computerized engraving depending on selected monogram font styles and the item being engraved. Most items are suitable for monogram engraving.

Question: What is a Monogram?

A monogram is a motif created by the positioning or overlapping/combining two or more letters (most commonly three) to form one symbol. Unlike engraved initials no periods are placed between letters in an engraved monogram.

A traditional 3-letter monogram has the initial of the individual's last name (surname) set larger, or with some special treatment in the center, while the first name initial appears to the left of it and the middle name initial appears to the right of it.

For example, if the individual's name is Stacy Ann Warren, where Warren is the surname, then the arrangement of letters in the monogram would be: SWA, with the surname initial W set larger in the center, the S for Stacy to the left and the A for Ann to the right

Question: How do I submit my monogram for engraving?

To submit a monogram please type in the 3 initials into a text engraving field - IN THE ORDER YOU WANT THEM TO APPEAR.

E.g. A.G.T. typed into the text field will be monogrammed as AGT with the center initial G being larger in size.

Question: What monogram engraving fonts can be used?

Our available monogram fonts are:

Interlocking Script Monogram

Notes: A beautiful and popular monogramming font. Bold, romantic with a classic, vintage feel.

Circle Block Monogram

Notes: Popular font. Simple, modern and uniform in design, ideal for engraving within circular spaces.

Question: Can I see what my monogram will look like prior to placing my order?

Yes. On you request, we can send you an image of the initials engraved together to provide you with a visual reference.

Engraving Services

Sandy Steven Engravers provides engraving services for:

• Products purchased from our website.
• Items submitted by individual customers.
• Items submitted by corporate clients for engraving.

To submit your own item for engraving:

1. Email us your engraving inquiry with an image and a description of what you would like to have engraved.

2. We will review your inquiry and email you a reference number, price quotation, recommendations and an estimated turnaround time.

3. If the quotation and recommendation meet your requirements please mail your item using an insured and traceable method to:

Sandy Steven Engravers
Ref: xxxxxx
23 W.47th Street
2nd Floor - Room 16
New York, NY 10036

(*Please note that we will not be responsible for items lost in transit to us.)

4. Once we receive your item for engraving we will create and email you an engraving proof for approval before beginning any engraving on your property. The engraving proof will show you what the engraving will look like on the item. We will require you to reply with your approval for us to begin engraving your order.

Question: I am in New York City, can I drop-off and pick-up my engraving order?

Yes, absolutely. Please drop-off and pick-up your items for engraving at our booth:

Sandy Steven Engravers
23 W.47th Street (b/w 5th and 6th Ave)
2nd Floor - Room 16
New York, NY 10036

Your closest subway access is the B, D, F, M (Rockefeller Center) and N, Q, R (49th Street/Times Square).

We do recommend that you email us prior to your visit, so we can review your engraving request to provide you with a quote and turnaround time.

We are also located along 5th Avenue, and experience frequent street closures due to parades, and events etc. We will be able to advise you on a convenient time to drop by.

Question: I have a pair of dog tags already, where can I engrave them?

In addition to the selection of dog tag necklaces we sell on SandyStevenEngravers.com we also accept the engraving of your own dog tags.

Please email us your inquiry providing (1) an image of your dog tags and (2) what you would like to have engraved. We will email you back an order reference number and forward you to our website to place your order online.

Instructions in your email will have our address to mail your dog tags to, with your assigned reference number. Once we receive your item, we will email you an engraving proof for review and approval before we begin engraving.

Question: I have a wedding ring, where can I get this engraved.

Wedding rings are most often engraved around the inner surface of it’s band. Text engraving is primarily utilized. We can also hand engrave the outer-surface of the wedding band should you so wish.

Please email us with your ring engraving inquiry providing (1) an image of your ring and (2) what you would like to have engraved. We will email you back an order reference number and forward you to our website to place your order online.

Instructions in your email will have our address to mail your ring to, with an assigned reference number. Once we receive your item, we will email you an engraving proof for review and approval before we begin engraving.