Engraving, the process of incising a design onto a hard, flat or domed surface, has been a timeless method for personalising items, creating intricate artwork, and marking valuable goods. While the goal remains the same—to create a lasting impression—the technology has evolved dramatically.

Understanding the difference between traditional hand/machine engraving and modern laser engraving is crucial, whether you're choosing a technique for a piece of jewellery, signage, or industrial part.

Traditional Engraving: Hand and Machine Methods

Traditional engraving relies on physically removing material from the surface to create a recessed design.

 Hand Engraving

This is the oldest and most artisanal method.

    Process: A skilled craftsperson uses a specialized tool called a graver to push or strike into the material, manually shaving away slivers of metal, wood, or stone.

    Result: The resulting cuts have a distinctive, deep, and often textured look. Hand engraving allows for unparalleled artistic freedom, creating unique depth and relief that is difficult to replicate by machine.

    Best For: High-end jewellery, custom firearm decoration, unique fine art pieces, and heirloom items.

 Machine Engraving (Rotary Engraving)

This technique uses mechanised tools to achieve precision and speed.

Process: A rotating cutting tool (a router bit or cutter) spins at high speed and physically carves into the material. The movement is controlled by a computerised (CNC) system or a pantograph (a mechanical copying device).

    Result: Creates clean, crisp, V-shaped or U-shaped grooves. Because it physically contacts and removes material, it creates a true depth.

    Best For: Trophies, plaques, industrial plates, pet tags, and consistent lettering on flat surfaces.

Modern Engraving: Laser Technology

Laser engraving is a non-contact method that uses a focused beam of light to alter the material's surface.

The Core Process

Laser engraving actually encompasses a few different processes depending on the material and desired result:

Engraving/Vaporising: The laser beam delivers a high concentration of energy, causing the material to instantly heat up and vaporize, creating a depression or cavity.

    Etching: A less intense process where the laser melts the surface, causing it to expand and crack, which creates a raised or rough mark (often used on glass).

    Ablation/Marking: On certain materials (like anodised aluminum or some plastics), the laser simply removes a thin layer of coating or causes a chemical change that alters the colour, leaving the mark visible.

Key Advantages of Laser Engraving

Speed: Lasers are significantly faster than traditional methods, making them ideal for high-volume production.

    Intricacy and Precision: The laser beam can be focused to an extremely small point, allowing for very small fonts, complex logos, and even high-resolution photographic images (halftones).

    Versatility: Lasers can engrave on an enormous range of materials, including wood, glass, acrylic, leather, plastic, and various metals.

    Non-Contact: Since the tool never physically touches the material, there is no risk of tool wear, securing issues, or mechanical stress on delicate items.

Best For:

Personalised gifts (tumblers, phone cases), detailed signage, barcodes and serial numbers, deep marking on wood and jewellery, and intricate designs on glass and acrylic.

Which Technique is Right for You?

The best choice depends entirely on the material, the budget, and the desired aesthetic:

• If you need deep, durable cuts on metal (e.g., for industrial plates or a trophy that will be filled with paint), machine (rotary) engraving is often the better choice.

• If you value artistic uniqueness, depth, and texture on a valuable piece, hand engraving is the only way to go.

• If you need speed, high detail, and versatility across various materials (especially precious metal jewellery), laser engraving is the modern champion.