Lettering and Sandblast

See the many ways that we can letter and sandblast. Each technique provides a different style. See the photos for real examples to help visualize what they will look like.

Lettering Styles

  • Close-up of two different engraved granite tombstones, one with the name 'Rissel' and the other with the name 'Rism'.

    V-Sunk

    Deep engraving which uses natural sunlight to create shadows for visibility. Requires a steeled finish, often in the form of a panel.

  • Close-up of a gray granite headstone with the surname "Loch" and a Celtic cross engraved on it, in a grassy cemetery.

    Skin Sunk

    Shallow engraving which uses the contrast between the light natural color and the dark polished color. This is not recommended for light color granite.

  • Gravestone with the name RODEBAUGH engraved at the top. The gravestone mentions Eric H. born April 22, 1947, and Susan M. born June 18, 1949, with a plus sign between their names.

    Polished Outline

    This style uses a steeled face, often a panel. There is a V-Line around the outside edge. The inside of the letter remains polished.

  • Gravestone with the name Strauber, featuring symbols of a cross, books, and a motorcycle, and the names Nancy L. and Robert S., with their birth and death dates.

    Frosted Outline

    This style does not have a panel. A V-Line goes around the outside edge of the lettering. The inside of the lettering is steeled.

  • A cemetery headstone for the Duplessis family with the names Matson and Duplics, featuring a holly leaf and a dog silhouette engraved on the stone.

    Polished Square Raised

    There is a sunken panel (recessed about ¼” from the surface). The letters are then flush with the rest of the surface. The letters remain polished while the panel is recessed. The lettering is blocky and squared off.

Panels

Panels are used to provide contrast, section off, and for certain lettering styles. Panels are very strongly recommended for light granite.

  • Gravestone for Gerald S. Gray, born July 6, 1938, died August 25, 2020, with a design of dolphins jumping out of water and a tree on top.

    Individual Panels

  • Gravestone with cross at the top, inscribed with names and dates of three individuals.

    Polished Border

  • Close-up of a granite tombstone engraved with the name 'YERGER' at the top, and 'GLENN P. January 21, 1940 December 27, 2024' inside an open book design.

    Books

  • Gravestone with the name 'Trimble' at the top, an emblem of the New York Yankees on the upper left, and an illustration of two interlocked wedding rings. It lists Ronald J. Trimble's birth date March 17, 1943, and his death date October 11, 1969, with space for a spouse's name and dates on the right.

    Fillet Corners

  • Gravestone with a heart shape in the center engraved with the family name "CABOTT" and the names and dates of Donald W. and Sandra, surrounded by grass and shadows.

    Heart Shapes

  • Gravestone with the name Phillips and two engraved names: Paula Maria and Paul Joseph.

    Double Outline

Sandblast

Panels are used to provide contrast, section off, and for certain lettering styles. Panels are very strongly recommended for light granite.

  • Picture of a headstone with a comparison between two different carving styles showing their level of detail

    Flat vs Shape Carved

    Flat carved is most common. It allows for small detail lines for complex emblems. Emblems are flat with the surface of the memorial.

    Shape carved is a very detailed, high-quality carving. Emblems are carved with a 3-D effect with various depths and contours. Shape carvings are common with flowers.

  • Rose carved into a headstone in a 3-D style showing depth and contours

    Deluxe Roses

    Our roses are deeply carved into the stone, providing an elegant texture and depth. While more time consuming, this beautiful rose comes to life through careful carving.

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