How Custom Engraving Works

Many of our products can be customized with your own images or text.  For these products, specify your text or upload your images on the product page before adding them to the shopping cart.  If you have an idea for something else, you can request a quote using our custom order form.                  

Once we receive your order, we'll create a digital proof of your product and email it to you, usually within 48 hours.  The email will contain a link to our website, where you can review your order and approve the proof or request additional changes.  We will not start the engraving until you are satisifed with the proof.  Your product will usually be engraved within 48 hours of receiving the authorization for the work.            

To browse all of our custom products, click here.

Image Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when choosing images to submit for engraving:

  • Chose the highest quality image available. Images should have a resolution of at least 300 dpi to engrave well. Images with a resolution up to 600 dpi may be engraved.
  • Images and artwork may be in many different file formats including: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PDF, EPS, RAW, and SVG. If you have questions on file formats, please contact us.
  • You can scan printed photos for uploading, or if you prefer, you can mail us your photos and we can scan them for you at no additional charge. Your originals will be returned along with your finished product.
  • You can chose to have us digitally remove the background in your photographs. Specify when ordering products if you want the background of the image removed.
  • If possible, submit multiple versions of the image so the best one for engraving can be chosen. Up to 3 images can be uploaded for each product.

Materials

The engraving machine is a CO2 all-metal laser and can engrave images on 1/8" thick wood, cork, or acrylic or on white-coated magnetic material. The laser also cuts the material to specifications.

The birch wood that is used for engraving is 1/8" thick plywood, with a birch finish. This type of wood provides a nice light, wood grain finish that does not detract from the engraving. The maximum product size in birch is 10" x 10".

Due to the nature of our white and red acrylic, those materials are best used to laser-cut shapes, rather than for engraving.

Examples of Work

The examples below show the original photograph and the final product.

Dog Original Photograph
A digital photograph taken with an iPhone.
Engraved photo with dog
Engraving on a magnet from the digital photograph. The background was removed.
Dog Original Photograph
A photograph printed on paper and then scanned.
Engraved photo with dog
Engraving from the scanned photograph.
A photograph printed on paper and then scanned.
Engraving from the scanned photograph.
Photograph of a child
Photograph from 1974 that was scanned.
Engraved photograph of a child
Engraved image with the background.
Engraved photograph of a child
Engraved image with the background removed.
Old photograph of a child
A scanned photograph from the 1950s.
Engraved photo of a child
Engraving from the scanned photograph.

Fonts

For products that have custom text, you can choose the font on the product page. There are six (6) fonts that are our most popular fonts and are known to engrave well. However, other fonts are available. If you would prefer a different font, contact us and tell us the font you would like and we will see if it is available. Below are samples of the six (6) standard fonts:

Font Samples
Font Samples

Production Times

In stock, non-custom items usually ship within 1-2 business days. Orders for custom items will usually have a digital proof sent within 48 hours of receipt of the order. Custom orders are usually engraved within 48 hours of receipt of proof authorization. Busier times, such as the Christmas holiday season, may result in longer fulfillment times. All items are shipped via first-class mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Please keep these time frames in mind when ordering.

Custom Designs

If you have a design for an item in mind and do not see anything similar to it on our product pages, send us your idea and your image/graphic using our custom design form, or send us an email. We will see if we can make it and send you a price quote.

The Fine Print

Since real birch wood is used for the engravings, the look of the wood will vary and is not guaranteed to look the same as on the product page. Not all images will engrave as well as those shown on the product pages.

No artwork or setup fees are charged for basic artwork and background removal. Complex artwork and design services may require an additional charge.