When selecting headstones, one of the most basic choices you have to make is how you want to have pictures and words transferred onto the stone. For most modern headstones, the choice is typically between traditional engraving or laser etching.
Traditional engraving and laser etching are both available when you are preparing a new memorial, monument, or headstone. Laser etching is predominantly done on black monuments. There are a number of people who would like to have a hand engraved headstone, but others want to see the clean lines of a laser engraving job.
Here are some pros and cons of each method to help you plan this very important purchase.
LASER ETCHING
Laser etching is a newer method of headstone engraving, but it is quickly becoming the most popular.
With laser etching you may choose from a number of fonts, personalized photos or logos and you can add your own artwork. The laser etching is very clean and is done by a modern C&C laser machine. Some people prefer this clean look to the rustic look of a traditional headstone. Also, this style can give you smaller lettering that allows you to fit more words on the monument itself.
The downside with laser etching is similar to that of traditional engraving as the design can wear slightly over time in the elements. Laser etched headstones are more delicate than those traditionally engraved and may show wear in 50 to 100 years. Also laser etched stone cannot be treated too roughly.
Because of the use of lasers and computerized machinery, laser etching can create more intricate, detailed images than traditional engraving and can decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a monument.
TRADITIONAL ENGRAVING
Traditional engraving is a big part of the headstone industry, and you might prefer the rustic styling of a hand-engraved headstone. Traditional engraving can be polished, or it can be left rough-edged. Many people focus on the traditional engraving style because it’s familiar. When you select traditional engraving, the person engraving the headstone uses a sharp tool or a sandblasting method to cut away the stone. This can create letters, numbers, symbols, and even entire drawings. Engraving is the most long-standing form of decorating headstones and it’s the most easily recognized. When choosing traditional engraving, the color of the stone doesn’t matter.
One negative of traditional engraving is you are limited in fonts and artwork.
LASER AND TRADITIONAL COMBINED
You can combine both laser etching and traditional engraving on a monument and currently is the most appealing and therefore the most chosen.
QUALITY HEADSTONES IN A FOUR STATE AREA
Whether you want a simple, clean headstone for your loved one or a unique design, our team of experienced artists can help you get what you envision. We work with cemeteries all across a four state area, and have provided thousands of lasting cemetery memorials. Contact us today to get your project started!
