The process of engraving involves producing lines, designs, or letters through an incision on a surface. Businesses can make use of this practice to create custom-made marketing and branding materials. They can engrave on any item to give them as gifts to a loved one or to commemorate something tragic and defining, like the passing of a pet.
Whatever the case, understanding the processes involved in mug engraving, takes the puzzle out of it. It allows you to understand what you may expect and to know what to ask for to get a specific result. The most common engraving methods include:
Scratch engraving
Here, the professional will use a tool with diamond tips that are cone-shaped and non-rotating. The device is dragged through metal with some pressure to leave an impression. The diamond drag will create a lasting engraving which can easily be confused with hand engraving. Every machine has constant strokes in width and is recommended when engraving soft metals like brass, aluminum, gold, and silver. It is best used for marking trophies, awards, and jewelry. Scratch engraving is affordable, as it will not need a motor to run. It has excellent eye appeal, but the stroke width is often limited.
Burnishing
In this case, a rotating motor will be used to apply a controlled pressure. The tip of the tool or cutter is made of diamond of carbide and can vary the width of the tip. One can remove the upper layer or coating to create a polished and smooth finish. Burnishing is often used in glass cutting applications. The most significant benefit of this engraving is the unlimited width of strokes. It can create excellent trophies and plaques with the tool achieving large letter sizes. On the flip side, burnishing can prove noisy and may need an adapter.
Rotary engraving
Here, the tool in use has a multiple-fluted edge that will rotate to remove material. There are some options, however, that have a single cutting tool. Compared to the first engraving method, rotary engraving will produce deeper cuts and can carve out full letterheads. The size of the cutter and the tip will determine the size of the engraving. Often, one has the opportunity to change the spindle settings to different micrometer measurements for the depth of each cut. Rotary engraving is ideal for use in industrial and commercial applications. It may also be used to engrave plastic.
No other form of engraving brings to the table the permanence of rotary engraving. The engraver can cut into non-ferrous and ferrous metals, wood and plastic. They can carve out letter sizes to their heart’s content since the equipment does not limit the size of the engraving. One can even create three-dimensional cuts. The downside of rotary engraving is that one needs an engraving motor and a wide array of tools to cut. One must also clean up the item after engraving to remove any remaining chips.
The best gifts are those that one has given some thought. You can gift a loved one personalized drinkware like mugs and water bottles. As a pro tip, do not use generic messages on the mug. Otherwise, it beats the point of personalization.
