Pen engraving has become a popular form of personalized customization, especially among makers, writers, and pen enthusiasts. Whether you want to engrave your name, a unique design, or create a thoughtful gift for a friend, a desktop laser engraver makes it possible.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of engraving a pen step by step.
Can You Engrave a Pen?
Of course YES! Let’s start with the placement. Generally, there are four common areas on a pen where engraving can be applied:
1. The Barrel: This is the most popular choice, as it offers the largest surface for designs.
However, deep engraving may affect comfort while writing, even though surface-level engraving usually doesn’t cause issues.
2. The Cap: Some users prefer engraving their family name or a small motif on the cap — a subtle yet personal touch.
3. The Stand or Case: For those who prefer to keep the pen itself untouched to preserve its original aesthetic, engraving their initials on a pen stand or case is an elegant alternative.
4. The Nib: A small number of creative engravers experiment with decorating the nib itself. While this can make a smooth nib visually unique, it might affect ink flow and writing performance.
Materials for Pen Engraving
When it comes to materials, pens are typically made from the following common combinations:
- Acrylic body + metal nib (most common)
- Wooden body + metal nib
- Leather-wrapped body + metal nib
- Full metal body + metal nib
- Resin body + metal nib
How to Engrave a Pen
When it comes to engraving small objects like pens, there are two main approaches: hand engraving and laser machine engraving.
- Hand engraving works well for simple designs — such as a family name or initials — and is often chosen for its traditional craftsmanship.
- Laser engraving, on the other hand, is ideal for detailed patterns and precise work, like floral motifs on the barrel or delicate designs on the clip. It offers greater consistency and complexity for intricate artwork.
Pen Laser Engraving
When engraving multi-material objects like pens, it is recommended to use a dual-light source laser marking machine (for example, fiber laser combined with blue diode, or infrared laser combined with blue diode).
First, it is essential to understand: metal laser engraving requires the use of a fiber laser source, while non-metal engraving requires a blue diode laser source.
Software & Pattern Setup
Taking the pen barrel as an example: select a suitable engraving pattern, adjust the pattern to match the size of the pen barrel, and then use the red light preview for positioning.
Formal Engraving
The parameter settings are as follows (using a 20W dual-light source engraving machine as an example):
For acrylic pen barrels, some users have reported that dual-light engraving produces better results than single-light engraving. To achieve a clearer engraving effect, first engrave with the blue laser, then — without moving the pen—perform a second engraving pass with the fiber laser.
Batch Engraving
For personalized service providers or brand sellers, batch engraving is often used to improve machine efficiency. Therefore, this section introduces the process of batch engraving. The procedure for batch engraving is essentially the same as standard engraving—the main difference is that multiple patterns are engraved successively.
Thus, during the initial pattern design phase, it is important to organize and differentiate the patterns. Additionally, since multiple pens are being engraved simultaneously, each pen must be securely fixed. If you have thin wood board material, cutting a dedicated pen placement board first will significantly facilitate the operation.
Then, in the LightBurn interface, set the engraving pattern for each pen, ensuring that each pattern fits the engraving area and maintains consistent spacing.
Perform a red light preview for each pattern individually, and refer to the engraving parameters from the previous step.
Or, if your laser engraver has a built-in camera, use the "Preview" function.
Notes
- During the engraving process, always lower the laser safety cover and avoid looking directly at the laser beam for extended periods.
- If using vector files downloaded from online sources, ensure that the file includes a license if it is intended for commercial use.
- For those offering custom engraving services, it is recommended to perform test engravings on the specific material beforehand to avoid potential failures.
Pen laser engraving offers the advantage of being able to reproduce most patterns accurately, whether for surface marking or deep engraving. It is highly efficient—for example, engraving a metal pen takes only about ten seconds—and operates with a high degree of safety.
However, the main drawback is the initial investment required for a desktop laser engraving machine, which can be significant for individual users. That said, beyond engraving pens, the machine can also be used to expand into other custom engraving services.
Hand Engraving
When not wearing laser safety glasses, be sure to wear protective gloves instead. Hand engraving brings your hands much closer to the engraving tool.
Unlike laser engraving, hand engraving requires significant skill and experience from the operator, and the process tends to be more time-consuming. It is particularly suitable for businesses offering personalized custom services.
Pattern & Design
Patterns for engraving can be found online. However, the more complex the design, the more challenging it is to engrave accurately. Electric engraving pens also demand good hand strength and control to maintain a steady engraving motion.
Pre-Engraving Preparation
As with laser engraving, a test engraving is essential before starting the actual work. Since electric engraving pens often come with multiple interchangeable tips, it’s important to select the right one for your design beforehand.
Formal Engraving Process
For non-metal materials, you can pre-sketch your design on the surface using a marker to guide your hand engraving. For metal surfaces, you may need to draw the pattern on paper and attach it to the pen before engraving. During the process, maintaining stability and completing the engraving in one go is ideal.
Notes
It is recommended to wear gloves throughout the process. Although electric engraving pens are generally safer than traditional engraving knives, potential risks should not be overlooked.
The most notable advantage of hand engraving is its low cost. Electric engraving pens are typically priced around $100, the expense is far lower than that of a desktop laser engraving machine. Additionally, hand engraving can be applied to a wider variety of materials, including both metal and non-metal surfaces.
The drawbacks include the high level of skill required and the fact that hand engraving—especially with electric pens—usually results in deeper engravings rather than fine surface markings. The process can also be more tedious and time-consuming.
Applications of Pen Engraving
Pen engraving serves three main purposes: indicating ownership, commemorating special meanings, and giving gifts.
Personalized Daily Items
For individual buyers, engraving their name on a pen is a practical option. Marking a name or initials on personal items helps prevent loss while adding a personalized touch.
Brand Making
Many companies, schools, and organizations bulk-customize pens with corporate logos or schoo as corporate gifts, conference giveaways, or promotional campaigns.
Customized Keepsake
Custom-engraved pens serve as meaningful gifts for graduations, weddings, birthdays, and other significant occasions. They can be personalized with names, dates, or special messages, making them unique and personal keepsakes.
FAQs for Engraving Pen
1. How much does pen engraving cost?
For laser machine owners, engraving your own pens has no extra cost. For others, local engraving services charge $30–$100. Machine prices range from $200 to $4,000. A hand engraving pen costs around $100.
2. Do I need a 10W or 20W laser machine?
A 10W machine is sufficient for basic use, but a dual-light source machine is recommended for more material compatibility.
3. What can I engrave on a pen?
Names, logos, website URLs, or messages for gifts.
Conclusion
The process of pen engraving is not difficult. With laser engraving, the main challenges lie in parameter settings and pattern design. Hand engraving avoids the need for parameter adjustments but requires more effort in pattern execution.
For those based in the United States, the renowned pen brand Cross offers personalized engraving services. If the goal is personal use or gifting to a few friends, opting for professional engraving through the brand may be a more convenient choice.
