Engraving

At Tempe Trophy, we are The Engraving Experts. We offer a variety of engraving techniques for all kinds of materials. A large part of crafting a quality product is picking the right engraving technique for the material and for the project. This becomes especially important in achieving the desired look and feel of the product. An example of this would be using Sand Carving over Laser Etching on crystal awards. Although the laser can mark the crystal, the Sand Carving looks better and feels better when you run your finger across it.

We know the best techniques to use and the best ways to apply color and style to achieve exactly what you are looking for. If you have a project that requires engraving, let us help!

Diamond Drag Engraving, also know as traditional “Scratch Engraving” is accomplished simply by dragging a diamond tipped cutter across the material’s surface. This leaves an elegantly thin gouged line into the surface of the material. Diamond Drag engraving is ideal for any item where a traditional engraved look is desired. You often see this type of engraving on watches, rings, silver plates, and jewelry because it can carve very small text in the most precise manner. This engraving technique is also very good for utilitarian industrial engraving since there are very few surfaces that a diamond can’t mark. Diamond Drag Engraving can be used on curves and lines, but unfortunately not on solid areas.

The best thing about Diamond Drag Engraving is that it sparkles! It reflects light in a way that you don’t get with other types of engraving.

Laser Engraving is the process of using an industrial laser to mark or burn away material. Our lasers are set up to engrave on acrylic awards, leather, coated metal, wood, paper, plastics, and other organically derived materials They are also set up to cut acrylic, leather, wood, paper, plastics, and many organically derived materials. When cutting custom glass or metal projects, we typically utilize water jet cutting. Laser engraving is definitely a fun way to engrave. A favorite application of laser engraving is to use the laser like a cattle brand. That’s right, like a cattle brand. By manipulating the power and intensity of the laser we can brand leather. Laser engraving also excels at marking acrylic awards. On acrylic, the laser leaves a nice uniformed frosted engraving. This process is sometimes called laser etching. One thing that the laser is not good at, is etching glass and crystal. It can do it, but the frosted pattern is irregular and barely a surface level mark. Additionally, if the laser beam hits any imperfections in the glass or crystal it will leave little pock marks. For this reason, we only Sand Carve glass and crystal awards.

Etching is an engraving process that uses abrasive material or acid to etch the surface. This method creates a surface etching with a nice uniformed frosted look similar to Sand Carving, but it is much shallower. It is generally considered a surface mark. Etching can be a great option when engraving logos on metal products such as knife blades or other odd shaped items. Etching is also a great for those hard to reach areas like the inside of a drum or another nook or cranny. Since Etching makes a frosted mark, it can be a nice option when the design calls for a more subtle touch. In this way we sometimes us a soft Etching on the back of glass or crystal award combined with a deep color filled Sand Carving on the face of the award to create a greater sense of depth.