Stone and rock engraving has always been popular, from ancient times till modern times. People always enjoy engraving creative designs and some signal words or symbols on different types of stones.
This blog post will cover various stone engraving techniques and best practices. Additionally, we'll cover appropriate stone types for engraving and the ideal demographic for laser stone engraving.
Six Methods for Stone Engraving
For stone engraving lovers, there are several methods for them to choose from, including hand-tooling (chisel and hammer), laser engraving, sandblasting, chemical etching, shape carving (combined sandblasting and hand-tooling), and diamond-tipped engraving (Dremel). Now, we would like to introduce each method to you briefly for your reference.
The first one we would like to introduce is the simplest method: stone engraving with hands. In addition to hands, we need some tools to help us with stone engraving. For example, chisels and hammers. First, draw the design onto the stone; then, use a hammer and chisel to meticulously carve out the pattern for hand-engraved stone. Hang the hammer on the chisel and use the force of the hammer to hit the stone to chisel out the shape we want.
The second one I would like to introduce is a traditional method, chemical etching. First, paint the stone’s surface except for your design, then apply a water-acid mixture. Then we use a special paint remover to remove the paint, and ultimately you will get an engraved stone. This method is a little bit difficult because many people don’t know what kind of acid to use for etching.
Another traditional method, sandblasting, is the third I'm going to introduce. First, a template with a pattern is made on the surface of the stone, and then a sandblaster is used to blast away the exposed areas of the stone, leaving the protected areas raised to form the carved pattern. One thing to note is that sandblasting can cause pollution, so we have to be careful about that.
The fourth method I would like to introduce is the most popular method for beginners, stone engraving with Dremel. Dremel offers a range of high-quality diamond bits at a competitive price. They have an assortment of sizes and shapes that really offer a variety of engraving options. With the help of a hunk of beeswax, we can easily start our new stone engraving journey.
Last but not least, laser engraving for stones is a great option. Many people may not be familiar with what laser engraving is. Simply put, it's a laser beam that vaporizes material. Laser engraving is more precise and effective than the old-fashioned methods we mentioned above. It can achieve high levels of detail and intricate designs that would be challenging with the above methods. The great thing about laser engravers is that they're perfect for bulk work. By the way, you can try engraving on more and more materials. Actually, there are three kinds of laser sources that can engrave on stone. Fiber laser, CO2 laser, and diode laser. Among them, fiber laser is the best one for stone engraving. Diode lasers mainly engrave on acrylic and glass; the power and precision may be limited compared to fiber lasers for stone engraving. CO2 lasers mainly engrave on wooden materials, which leave a much rougher finish compared to fiber lasers for stone engraving, according to our customers’ feedback.
Stone Types Suitable for Laser Engraving
Now we wanna introduce some stone types which are suitable for laser engraving.
1.Granite
Granite not only has a beautiful appearance but also a durable feature. Many designers are keen to use them as a memorial headstone and garden stones, which have a very high ornamental value. It’s the best option for fiber laser engraving.
2.Marble
Marble is famous on account of its smooth surface and base function in the construction industry, which is also the best option for laser engraving. Just imagine, if you have got a marble engraving sculpture in your home, would it make your home more luxurious?
3.Slate
Slate is always used as a decoration for buildings, too. It also can be used for making tombstones, billiard table tops, laboratory benchtops, and even decorative garden elements. Please enjoy some slate engraving below, including a deep engraving effect.
4.Sandstone (pebbles)
The most famous type of sandstone is pebble, we always use it as a décor in gardens or other occasions. The surface of the pebbles is smooth. If you wanna try engraving by hand, it will be difficult to fix, which may result in some engraving damage. However, this situation won’t occur in fiber laser engraving.
5.Limestone (river rock)
For limestone, most we know is river rock, we also use it as a decoration or gift, which is suitable for small businesses. Many Etsy sellers always use river rock as the original materials to develop small businesses.
Ultimate Guidelines for Stone Engraving by Fiber LaserÂ
Among these methods, fiber laser engraving is the simplest and the most effortless way for stone engraving. Now let’s explore the specific guidelines of stone engraving with fiber laser. Fiber laser engraving is more suitable for those who own a customized small business, those who need bulk engraving, or those who like stone engraving very much. The link below is about the slate engraving process of our EM-Smart Basic 25W machine.
First step: Prepare the tools and materials you need
You should prepare the stones you want to engrave and the fiber laser machine. Here we would like to recommend our fiber laser machine. Our EM-Smart Basic series can meet the basic engraving function you need. The precision and the speed are better than other fiber laser engravers on account of their complicated structure and upgraded laser sources. It also can engrave on metal, plastic, leather, and other materials.
Second Step: Machine setting
Turn on the machine and adjust the focus of the fiber laser engraver to achieve the best engraving effect. Then connect the computer to the machine.
Third Step: Load the design
Simply import the pattern or some text you want to engrave on the stone into your computer and choose the engraving method you prefer. Then we can see the design in the computer clearly.
Fourth step: Parameter setting
Then you can try to test many parameters, like power, speed, and frequency, to find the best engraving parameters for stones. We also provide some parameter recommendations for your reference. For stone engraving, we need bigger power and lower speed to ensure that the high-power laser stays on the stone surface longer to achieve a better peeling effect. For example, when we are engraving on the stone with our EM-Smart Basic 1, the power should be 100, and the speed should be 500mm/s. However, it’s best for you to try on your own.
Fifth Step: Let’s start engraving
After all the setting is done, you can put the stones on the work platform. Then click the engraving button on the computer to start the stone engraving. By the way, painting on the engraving area is optional.
Suitable Crowd for Fiber Laser Engraving of Stones
1. It’s suitable for those who have bulk engraving of stones. Compared to other methods, fiber laser engraving is more effective.
2.Stone DIY lovers also can use a fiber laser engraver to engrave stones. It will help them to customize ideas in their mind in the best way on account of its precision and easy working steps.
3.People who are doing a small business related to stone engraving can also adopt fiber engraving, which will increase work efficiency and be beneficial to output.
Conclusion
There are many methods for you to do stone engraving. Among these methods, fiber laser engraving is the most effective and precise one. Let’s try stone engraving with a fiber laser engraver to achieve more creative ideas. Don’t wait or hesitate; let’s do it right now!
About US
With 26 years' laser industry experience in the laser industry, EM-Smart has been committed to designing and manufacturing portable laser marking machines as well as developing innovative laser solutions for a wide range of industries.
For any more information, please contact us at support@em-smart.com.