Shopping For An Engraved Gift
By Bill Shayler

The Articles of Engraving - Information for the engraving consumer Copyright (C) Shayler Engraving 2004 All Rights Reserved

Purchasing engraving or an engraved gift can be a daunting task. An inexperienced buyer is presented with more questions than answers. An unprepared consumer may be forced to make hurried decisions they later regret. A little preparation is definately in order.

..(1) Have you selected your engraver?

You may find a store where you can purchase an item that also has limited engraving capabilities. This type of store usually relies on pre-programmed systems to perform their engraving rather than skill or expertise. This is a good option if the results meets your expectations.
Shopping For An Engraved Gift Continued

Custom Engraved Dog Tags: Laser Engraving Explained
By Scott Shenkel

Two types of custom dog tags are being used by many types of businesses and individuals for promotional purposes: authentic military dog tags and military "style" dog tags. From wedding and party favors to tradeshows and conferences personalized dog tags are gaining in popularity. Authentic military dog tags are embossed, a process involving letters, numbers and some special characters being stamped into the metal giving the text a raised look. These tags are made from stainless steel and feature a rolled edge. Embossed stainless steel dog tags have been used by the U.S. armed forces since WWI. Military style dog tags are made from anodized aluminum and lack the rolled edge. These dog tags are personalized using a method known as laser engraving to reproduce text as well as logos on one or both sides. Whereas authentic military dog tags are typically produced in silver or brass, military style engraved dog tags are available in a wide variety of aluminum colors (i.e. black, blue, red, green, purple, gold etc.). Both styles of custom dog tags can be outfitted with rubber dog tag silencers as well as neck chains or split rings for keys. Other less common customizing methods for personalizing dog tags include pad printing and full color process printing. Both of these methods are capable of reproducing designs in one or more colors whereas laser engraved designs show up bright white. This article is concerned with the process of laser engraving to produce custom engraved dog tags.
Laser Engraving Explained

Engraving Tools and Engraving Machines
By Bob Jonathan

Engraving is a process of incising a mark or design with an engraving tool onto a metal like zinc, copper, steel or non-metal like plastic. Gravers are conic tools (halved carbide round rod) with one cutting edge. The engraving equipments and tools like burin are pushed into the metal plate to produce cut and design of the marking. The deeper it penetrates into the metal, the wider the line becomes. The relationship between dipping depth and engraving width is determined by the top angle of the tool. Result may be a decorative mark or design in itself, as when silver or gold are engraved, or may provide an intaglio plate when copper is engraved or a relief print block when wood is engraved.

Engraving tools are usually made with hard steel to cut the design into the surface like copper and steel plates. These tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes that yield different line types.
Engraving Tools and Engraving Machines

A Look at Custom Pet Tags
By Alison Cole

Customized pet ID tags feature information chosen by the customer and can include personal messages, information about medical conditions or dietary needs. Made-to-order tags can be engraved, embossed, personalized, and reflective.

Engraved tags are available in different colors and styles such as bone, mouse, round, square, and more. They cost as little as $3.00. Large tags may have five lines of information and small may have only three lines of engraved text. Both sides of tags can have engraved text. Tags can have engraved art work and logos of the customer's choice. Laser engraved tags displaying information on both sides are expensive. Personalized engraved tags can be made on order. Both computer and hand-engraved pet tags are available in the market.