Etching and Engraving Equipment Key Terms

Use etching and engraving equipment key terms to generate professional success as an engraver

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor

For businesses that do engraving on wedding, graduation and other personalized gifts, it's important to know the key terms used regarding etching and engraving equipment. There are many kinds of equipment and techniques used to create beautiful designs on glass, acrylic, steel and other surfaces, and your customers are going to expect you to be knowledgeable about all of them. Many people ask engravers to mark items with serial numbers for theft prevention. Take the time to learn the key terms for etching and engraving equipment, as well as the processes involved in using them, to increase your proficiency, profits and customer satisfaction.

Diamond points

Diamond points are small, hard points made of diamond that are used to engrave glass. They come in many different sizes for wide or more intricate designs.
Try: Learn more about diamond points at Granite City Tool.

Resists and abrasives

Resists are surfaces used as guides to do etching. They are either pre-cut or handmade. Abrasives are harder than glass, which makes them ideal for glass etching. Sand can be used as an abrasive but is deemed dangerous to breathe so today silicon carbide is used to safely etch glass.
Try: Visit Etch Master to learn about resists and abrasives.

Stenciling

Stenciling is the art of using laser designs from drawings or photographs to engrave on surfaces. Stencils can be customized to suit your business requirements. There are also software programs that make this process easier so you can create beautiful engraved designs on personalized gifts or promotional items for your customers.
Try: Learn about the process of photo image stenciling and the tools required to do it at SCM Sandblasting.

Etching, engraving and sandblasting pens

An etching pen marks stainless steel, ceramics and glass objects. Engraving pens use diamond points to cut into surfaces as you write to create decorative writing on objects like vases, gifts and jewelry. Sandblasting pens create designs, messages and monograms on glass, marble and many other surfaces.
Try: Read about etching pens at New Age Testing Instruments and then learn about engraving pens at Silver Gallery. Vapson Jewelry Equipments offers information about sandblasting pens.

Engraving machines

Engraving machines are available for light duty, heavy duty and professional jobs. Light-duty engraving machines create badges, signs, awards and personalized gifts or apparel. Heavy-duty engraving machines are great for engraving pet tags, curved jewelry, lighters, small metal objects and award plates, while professional engraving machines are ideal for engraving materials such as plastic, acrylic, aluminum, brass and wood and for creating corporate or family crests, personalized awards and promotional items.
Try: Use the information at Engraving Machines Plus to learn about light-duty, heavy-duty and professional engraving machines.

Laser engraving

Laser engraving includes using lasers to mark, engrave and etch objects made of a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, marble and glass. The difference between laser engraving and other kinds of engraving is that it doesn't use tool bits that wear out with use. These machines can be complicated to use, but the results are worth the effort.
Try: Read about laser-engraving machines at Epilog Laser.