Etched Photographs on Granite

Although photos can be engraved to various types of stone, etched photographs on granite are the preferred choice and are mostly used on headstones and grave markers. Unlike marble and slate which are hard to maintain outdoors, granites are much more durable and will withstand all outdoor elements. In particular, black or darker-coloured granites have ideal properties for granite photo engraving and have been proven to last for generations.

When engraving photos on granite, the best results are produced when using dark black granites with a tightly knit grain. This allows images on gravestones or memorial plaques to pick up greater details while creating a more prominent contrast between the engraving and the polished stone. Ultimately, when engraving on granite stone, the quality of the image supplied, and the type of granite used are defining factors in obtaining the best results.

Granite laser etching involves the process of using a laser beam to etch the polished surface of the stone, leaving behind a series of minute dots showing the naturally exposed stone. The results are both realistic and highly detailed etched photographs on granite. And because images on laser-etched memorial plaques and headstones are applied by machine, the finished results are highly detailed and comparable to that of a laser printer.

On receiving your photographs for headstones and plaques, a series of photographic editing programs transform your photo into a high-contrasting black-and-white image. This image can also include headstone inscriptions or any other elements required by the customer. Once the final image has been approved, it is then transferred to a stone etching laser machine where it etches the image into the surface of the material.

Unlike a laser-etched photo, which is machined, engraving by hand is where a skilled stonemason engraves a picture directly into the stone manually. In most cases, images are engraved to traditional headstones using a diamond bit pen, which gradually erodes the polished surface of the stone. Depending on the artist’s technique, engraving granite by hand is applied using a series of dots or by milling/grinding with “brush-like” strokes.

Receiving an artist’s rendition of your image for gravestones or headstone photo plaques is very unique. In particular, memorial portraits engraved by hand are truly an unparalleled commemoration and will be admired for generations. Additionally, because engraving by hand goes deeper into the surface of the stone compared to laser etching, paints are best suited for granite engraved photos and will last much longer on them.

Laser etching to granites by machine and hand engraving granites have their own individual qualities and will provide you with truly memorable etched photos on headstones and portrait plaques. To help you make a more informed decision on which type of etched photographs on granite best suits your needs we have compiled a short list of the advantages and disadvantages of laser etching and hand engraving, which we hope will help you decide.

• Etching by laser to granites is highly detailed and comparable to that of a laser printer.
• Laser-etched portraits capture the greatest resemblance to the portrait photograph supplied.
• The process of etching by laser is quick and can be completed within a few hours.
• Compared to engraving by hand, laser etching is more accessible and less expensive.

• Laser-etched images only stand out on black or dark-coloured granites.
• Etching granites by laser only scorches the stones’ surface, limiting the application of paints.
• Laser etching can only be applied to headstones before their installation in a cemetery.
• Poor-quality, low-resolution photographs cannot be used for laser etching granites.

• Engraving granites by hand is an art in itself, and no other medium compares to it.
• Hand-engraved images are carved deeper into granites, allowing for more paint to be added.
• Images and portraits can be engraved by hand on already existing cemetery gravestones.
• Unlike laser-etching, poor-quality photographs can be used for hand engraving on granites.

• Hand-engraved images only stand out on black or dark-coloured granites.
• When hand-engraving portraits, the artist’s rendition may differ from the original portrait.
• Engraving by hand is time-consuming and as a result, can be very expensive.
• Because of the artistry involved, highly skilled granite engravers are few and far between.

Compared to ceramic photos for headstones, which are made separately and then fixed to a gravestone, portraits etched in stone become part of the actual memorial itself. Just like a painting on a canvas, a hand or laser-etched granite photo is a form of memorializing your loved one artistically. And like a painting, your loved one’s image is usually etched without a background, highlighting the main head, shoulders, and chest area.

While most laser-etched plaques with photos display the bust area of your loved one, gravestones are much larger and can allow for a full-size portrait to be engraved. Unlike ceramic photos, portrait granite engraving has no restrictions on size, allowing a larger image to be engraved if needed. A good example of this would be a football scene of your loved one, captured in the state of play and incorporating the image to their memorial.

Like portraits, endless images can be used for stone engraving. Sometimes, landscapes the deceased were fond of during their lives are etched as a background to their memorial. For example, our mountain scene grave marker displays a mountain in the background with a short epitaph etched alongside. Similarly, local landmarks, or a specific place your loved one had a great affiliation for, add a unique and personalized aspect to their memorial.

Like landscapes, etched headstone designs of spiritual images are very often incorporated into memorials. A good example of this would be doves, representing the Holy Spirit, or the Divine Mercy image of Jesus, as displayed on our rustic headstones. Other popular photos on granite include hobbies or pastimes your loved one was devoted to during their lives, which are usually etched to granite memorial plaques and placed alongside their headstone.

Apart from portraits of loved ones, some of the most used etched pictures for gravestones and grave markers include the following:

• Landscapes, local landmarks, or a specific place the deceased had an affiliation for.
• Religious symbols, etched images of Jesus, Our Lady, and of the saints.
• Hobbies or pastimes your loved one had a great devotion to during their lives.
• Nature images, mostly depicting trees, flowers, birds, and animals.
• Crests, like family emblems, sports crests, or logos the deceased was connected to.

Although black granite laser-etched headstones are popular for displaying pictures, most like their loved one’s photo or other images, added to a granite engraved plaque. Those who opt for memorial plaques with photos, usually place them next to their loved one’s headstone. This allows the main gravestone to be kept solely for inscriptions while laser-etched granite photos are displayed separately on a matching grave plaque.

Other advantages of having an engraved granite plaque are its convenience and affordability. Because memorial picture plaques are relatively small, they can be ordered online with laser-engraved granite photos of your loved one and placed by their graveside, very easily. In fact, black granite etching on small plaquettes can cost as little as €185 and are usually delivered within four or five working days from date of order.

Engraved memorial plaques to commemorate family pets are a great way of keeping their memory alive. Made from granite, pet memorial plaques with photos for outside use are not only weather resistant but unlike any other material will not fade and last for generations. As well as having an engraved photo of your pet etched to the granite, short memorial verses or your own personal wording can be etched alongside your pet’s photograph.

Opposed to acquiring black granite etched headstones, a smaller remembrance plaque is a much more convenient and cost-effective way of commemorating pets. Unlike gravestones which are bigger and usually fixed in position, personalized pet grave markers can be placed in your own garden or place of remembrance. And like etching on headstones, pet memorial portraits on grave plaques have the same artistic appearance and durability.

Even though there are many dog memorial plaque ideas, the most popular layout incorporates a photo-etched alongside a short memorial verse or poem. As can be seen from our example above, this personalised dog memorial plaque features a typical layout, with a dog portrait and wording laser-etched in white. The rustic outer area of the plaque showcases the natural stone and adds a unique characteristic to the memorial.

As already noted, etched photographs on granites require a high-resolution photograph for best results. With this in mind, before ordering a personalized dog memorial stone with your pet’s photo it’s important to check the quality of the photo you want to use. In some cases where an etched dog memorial cannot facilitate a photo, a dog paw-print remembrance with etched inscriptions and paw-prints may be a suitable alternative.

Like our engraved dog memorial stones, remembrance plaques featuring cats are also very popular as a way of commemorating them. Etched in stone, our personalised cat memorial plaques usually feature a close-up image of your cat with a name, dates, and a short memorial verse. Unlike any other material, engraved pet memorial plaques made from granite to memorialize cats will last for generations and will forever be admired.

No matter what breed your cat was their photos on granite are etched to their memorials with life-like results. Nowadays, with high-resolution smartphone photos of cats, providing a suitable image for etching is relatively easy. However, cat paw-print memorials that feature a cat’s paw-print with wording can also be purchased without showcasing a photo. No matter which option you prefer, etched memorial stones for cats are a lifelong remembrance for your beloved companion.

Please see below some frequently asked questions about etched photographs on granite headstones and memorial plaques.

Laser etching or hand engraving on granite headstones will last for as long as the headstone lasts. Because the etching or engraving is etched or engraved into the polished surface of the stone, it is permanent. The only way etchings or engravings can be removed is by re-polishing the surface of the headstone by machine.

Depending on the harshness of the climate they are exposed to, granite-engraved images painted on headstones will eventually fade, or even wear off completely. On average, engraved images on upright headstones need to be repainted every 5 -10 years, while paint on flat or lawn-level gravestones will have a shorter lifespan.

Although various types of stone like marble and slate are suitable for laser etching or engraving, the best stones to engrave or etch on are granites. In particular, dark or black granites with a highly polished finish and a tightly knit grain will pick up more details and create a better contrast between the image and the granite.

Because granite is one of the most durable and hard-wearing stones found anywhere on the earth, etching on its surface will last as long as the stone itself lasts, which is permanent. However, if paints are applied to the granite etching the outdoor elements will eventually fade and wear them off, but the etching will always remain.

Granite etching is usually carried out by a laser etching machine, where a laser beam scorches the surface of the stone with a series of minute dots. Whereas granite engraving can be applied by machine or by hand and involves carving or milling deeper into the surface of the stone with a series of dots or “brush-like” strokes.