Monuments of the South

headstones-monuments-services

Laser Etching

Laser etching is a process that creates marks on products and parts by melting their micro surface. It is part of the broader category called laser marking which also includes laser engraving and laser annealing. 

As it is highly versatile, it can be used with most metals. 

The result is a smooth, lasting mark, high-contrast which can be machine readable (barcode) or human readable (serial number), engraved or etched into the part’s surface.

About Laser Etching

We also provide engraving on headstones, you can either choose the traditional method of engraving which involves using a hammer and chisel or can choose etching through laser.

As most people opt for granite as a headstone, columbarium, headboard, or plaque. In either case, etching is done via the traditional method.

However, with time there has been changing material and other than granite material is being used for headstones, columbariums, headboards, or plaques.

Laser etching provides precision in etching various materials, especially on the glass.

You can opt for making the headstone, columbarium, headboard, or plaque that you choose for your loved ones, as personalized as you desire.

May it be pictures, inscriptions, or anything else, all can be engraved on either granite or on glass. The design you chose can be as intricate as you like, through laser etching it will be etched to precision.

Laser etching is a modern way of engraving, which is becoming the choice of many clients.

A CNC machine uses a laser to carefully etch the surface of the stone, glass, or concrete. After laser burn, only the design remains on the surface of the headstone, columbarium, headboard, or plaque of your choice.

Rest assured that there will be no change to the color, feel, or look of the feel of the headstone, columbarium, headboard, or plaque.

Laser etching does require to be treated with care when being cleaned. They last for quite a duration but only when treated with caution.

As a machine is used for engraving the headstones, thus the precision and finishing are unparallel. You can choose from the variety of headstones available and without compromising the surface and structure of the headstone, the engraving is done.

Through laser etching, a more personalized headstone can be made, as it offers more precision and intricate details can be added as per your liking.

laser-etching

Options For HeadStone Engraving

We’re going to give you a run-down on what is involved with each process, and some of the pros and cons of each method.

Traditional Engraving

When you select traditional engraving, the person engraving the headstone uses a sharp tool to actually cut away the stone in the pattern you choose. This can be letters, numbers, symbols, and even entire drawings.

Engraving is the most long-standing form of decorating headstones, and it’s the most easily recognizable.

Modern headstones, however, are no longer engraved using chisels and hammers. Instead, they’re typically engraved using sandblasting. This method etches the design into the surface of the stone without chipping the granite, but still allowing the design to be seen.

When choosing traditional engraving, the color of the stone doesn’t matter because the sandblasting changes the look of the stone where the engraving is done.

One negative of traditional etching is that it does wear away faster in the elements. Wind, rain, and dirt can collect in the grooves of the engraved design, and the design can soften over time.

Laser Etching

Laser etching is a newer method of headstone engraving, but it is quickly becoming the most popular. 

With laser etching, a CNC machine uses a laser to carefully etch the surface of the stone in the design you choose. The design only is left on the surface of the headstone, and there’s no real change to the color, look, or feel of the stone’s surface.

The downside with laser etching is similar to that of traditional engraving, that the design can wear away over time in the elements. However, laser etched headstones are more delicate than those traditionally etched because it’s easy to wear away the design if it’s treated too roughly.

However, because of the use of lasers and computerized machinery, laser etching can create more intricate, detailed images than traditional engraving