The Conversation Is Part of the Craft

Most enquiries begin with a simple question: "Can you engrave this?"

It may be a vase for a wedding anniversary, a military presentation bowl or a bottle kept for a particular occasion.

Photographs, the object's dimensions and the intended inscription help establish whether it can be engraved and how the design might sit on its surface.

Every object tells us something

The first questions concern the object itself. Is it crystal or glass? Who made it? Is it handmade or machine made? Can photographs show its shape and condition?

These details help assess the material, the available engraving area and the object's suitability for engraving.

  • BLOG__Clear glass decanter with wooden base
  • Four dark amber glass bottles with engraved olive branch designs and one with etched text.
  • Abelour single malt whisky bottle etched with personalised message using traditional sandblast engraving technique
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The first idea isn't always the final design

A recent military presentation bowl began with several insignia and a suggested layout.

During the discussion, another emblem was added, the composition changed and the treatment of one of the principal logos was revised.

The spacing and relationship between the elements were resolved against the proportions of the bowl.

  • Close-up of a sandblast engraved vase featuring a monogram of 'S&A' with the year '1986' below it, set against a dark gray gradient background.

    A bespoke monogram developed for a clients vase

  • BLOG__engraved whisky glass with Austin Speedy car and numberplate

    A bespoke commission developed from a client's reference design and supplied glassware.

  • Personalised glass decanter with engraved initials text on a dark reflective surface

    By the time this piece reached the engraving cabinet, the most important decisions had already been made.

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Working from Surviving References

References may be an old photograph, a mobile phone image or a surviving part of an object.

One enquiry concerned a Victorian style cake stand passed down through a family. An engraved glass tray had broken and needed replacing.

The discussion established that the replacement should use a design sympathetic to the period and sit comfortably alongside the surviving trays.

  • Vintage oval gound glass plate with floral etching and silver cake stand
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Every commission has its own questions

A scooter illustration may require the specific model and year. A supplied vase needs an assessment of its manufacturer and engraving area.

Official insignia may require clarification of permissions or licensing before artwork begins.

The answers establish the source material, design requirements and production details for the commission.

Before the engraving begins

Before the piece reaches the engraving cabinet, the artwork, proportions, engraving area and composition have been reviewed.

An Engraving Layout brings those decisions together for approval before production.

Send details of the object, source material and intended inscription to begin a commission.

Discuss a Commission

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