With custom engraving, there are many ways to personalize a gift. Sometimes too many ways. Luckily we've rounded up some of the best ways to engrave a custom gift.
In an effort to simplify things, we created an FAQ for engraving. We hope these tips are helpful when weddings, birthdays or anniversaries come around. Happy gifting!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does the engraving look like on each wood type?
This is a great question. Your text will appear more predominantly on lighter-colored woods. On darker wood or multi-striped boards, the cutting board is the main focus and your engraved text is more of an accent. Below is an example of how engraved text appears on various wood types.
On each product page, we include a photo of the product with engraving for reference. If you have specific questions about how your text will appear once engraved, contact us for guidance. Or pop by our showroom to see examples and place an order in person.
Which font should I use for engraving?
On each product page, there is a photo showing 5 pre-selected font options. We chose these fonts because they appear the best on any of our products. Whichever font you choose will look great! One thing to consider, however, is your font case. Fonts 1 & 2 are all UPPERCASE. Fonts 3-5 can be either uppercase or lowercase. Keep the font case in mind when selecting a font and when typing the text for your order.
Will my engraving be on the front or back of the board?
The engraving is always on the front of the board. However, for cutting boards, the juice groove will be on the BACK of the board…and here’s why. The engraved side of the board can be used for serving or displayed as decor when not in use. The non-engraved, juice groove side is now an everyday cutting board. You get two boards in one! 😊
PLEASE NOTE: This means, if your order includes custom text and a juice groove, the text will be engraved on the opposite (non-grooved) side unless you specify otherwise.
Initials or Monogram?
Two classic engraving styles are initials and a monogram. You can’t go wrong with either option. Customers often add a monogram or initials in the center of the board or in the corner. For a traditional monogram, with a larger center initial, follow the rules noted below.
Individual’s monogram = first, last, middle (for example, Carrie Pearl Smith = cSp) Couple’s monogram = wife’s name, last name, husband’s name (for example, Caroline and Scott Miller = cMs)
For more tips on monogram styling, check out this great post by Raising Camelot.
Last Name
Another tried & true option is to feature the family’s last name. Many people engrave the name in the center of the board, but you could also choose to place the name along the bottom, or smaller in the corner. Here are some examples for inspiration.
Couple’s Names or Initials
If the couple is not married, or if they have different last names, we like to engrave their names or initials with an ampersand or a plus sign. For example, Erica and Ryan = E&R or E+R.
Memorable Date
In addition to a last name or initials, you can also add a memorable date to the board. Customers often include a date to celebrate a wedding, anniversary, housewarming, graduation, or another special occasion. There are MANY ways to list the date. A few popular choices include:
5.8.2024
Est. 5.8.24
Est. 2024
May 2024
Zip code or Town Sign
Many of us take pride in our town's zip code. And in Massachusetts, we love seeing “Entering Town” signs. Zip codes and town signs can be engraved anywhere on the board. You can even include a last name to truly personalize the piece.
Nautical GPS Coordinates
For your nautical friends, give them a gift engraved with the GPS coordinates of their favorite place. (And if you’re lucky, this might score you a seat on their next boat trip!)
We use Google Maps to find GPS coordinates. There are two standard formats for coordinates: Decimal Degrees (DD) and Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS). Both are right, so just pick your favorite. You can round the numbers, for a less specific location, or leave all of the numbers to pinpoint an exact location.
Custom Designs & Logos
We can also engrave wedding logos, company logos, and custom designs. Contact us anytime with your ideas! To get the ball rolling, we ask that you include a high-resolution vector version of the image in your email.
