Cutting a design or lettering into metal or another hard material, by hand with a graver or by machine or laser.
Engraving creates a design by removing material from a hard surface such as metal or glass. In hand engraving, an artisan cuts lines with a graver, also called a burin, controlling the tool to form lettering or decoration. Patek Philippe describes this work on dials and movement components. Machines can also form engraved patterns, including the rose engine used for guilloché. The useful distinction is how the mark is made: an engraved line is cut into the surface, while the separate printmaking sense involves taking an impression from an engraved plate.
In job listings
Holt Renfrew’s Personalization Specialist role in Vancouver required preparing vector files for engraving equipment. This gives a concrete example of the digital preparation involved in machine engraving. Preparing the design file is a different skill from cutting a design by hand, although both contribute to producing an engraved surface. Search local jobs for “engraving”.
