What stone engraving is

Stone engraving is the process of cutting your text and artwork into real stone so it becomes part of the material instead of sitting on the surface like paint or vinyl.

• We start with real stone, not resin or concrete
• We carve the design into the surface
• We add a durable paint fill and sealer where needed
• The result is a sign that keeps its detail through real weather

This is very different from printing or sticking vinyl on top of a stone. Printed designs can flake and peel. Deep engraving remains even as the stone gently ages over the years.

To see how engraving looks on finished pieces, you can browse these collections:

• Address Stones
• Welcome Stones
• Family Name and Monogram Stones
• Garden and Nature Stones
• Pet Memorial Stones

How we engrave your stone

Every Crafted Stones piece follows a consistent process so your engraving is clean, readable, and built for outdoor life.

Step one: Select and shape the stone

We begin with real stone and shape it so it sits well in a yard, garden, or porch setting. Edges are cut by hand.

Step two: Prepare the face for engraving

The engraving face is cleaned, and prepared so lines stay sharp. This keeps text crisp and artwork clear.

Step three: Engrave the design

We engrave your text and artwork into the stone to a depth that will remain visible through years of weather. Unlike surface printing, engraved lines are cut into the stone itself.

Step four: Paint fill and sealer

After engraving, we apply a paint fill where the design calls for strong contrast, then seal the stone with outdoor sealer. This helps protect both the stone and the engraved details from sun, rain, and freeze cycles.

For a deeper dive on how this affects durability, you can read: Best Materials for House Number Signs

What you can customize

You can customize almost every part of your stone design.

• Text content such as names, house numbers, dates, or short phrases
• Artwork from our library such as deer, hummingbirds, wheat, crosses, and more
• Overall layout such as centered text, stacked text, or text with artwork
• Finish color such as Sandstone or Sedona style tones depending on the stone

There are two main ways to order a custom engraved stone:

• Create Your Own Engraved Stone for simple custom text and layout
• Upload Your File Stone for logos and more complex artwork

Text and layout guidelines

Short and clear messages always engrave best. The more text you add, the smaller each letter must become.

Best practices for text

• Use short phrases instead of long paragraphs
• Keep most lines under twenty to twenty five characters when possible
• Use capital letters for house numbers and main names when you want maximum clarity
• Use mixed case for softer looks like garden or memorial stones

Examples of text that engraves well

• THE ANDERSON FAMILY
• WELCOME TO OUR GARDEN
• 4321 OAK RIDGE DRIVE
• IN LOVING MEMORY

For ideas on how text looks on finished pieces, you can explore: How to Choose House Numbers That Are Easy to See From the Street

Artwork requirements

Artwork for engraving should be clear, simple, and high contrast. Fine shading and tiny details do not translate well when cut into stone.

Best artwork types

• Black and white artwork with strong lines
• Simple silhouettes
• Logos without complex gradients
• Clean line art with clear shapes

File types we prefer

• Vector files such as SVG, AI, or EPS
• High resolution PNG or JPG when vector is not available

If your artwork is low resolution or very complex, we may simplify it for engraving so it still looks good at normal viewing distance.

To send artwork with your order, use: Upload Your File Stone

Fonts and layout options

We use fonts that stay readable outdoors and still match the style of the stone.

Font styles

• Bold block fonts for address stones and high visibility designs
• Classic serif fonts for family names and more formal looks
• Script fonts in a limited way for accent text

We avoid very thin and fragile letter shapes since those can be hard to read from a distance or in bright light.

Layout options

• Single line text across the stone
• Stacked lines such as name on top and established date below
• Text with artwork aligned above, below, or to the side

If you want a certain layout, you can describe it in the personalization box on the product page. We will arrange your design so it looks balanced on the stone.

Size and visibility

Engraving should be sized for how far away people will stand when they read it.

For house numbers

• Up to about forty feet from the street: numbers around three to four inches tall
• Forty to seventy feet from the street: numbers around four to five inches tall
• Beyond that distance: even larger numbers for quick reading

For names and phrases

• Entry and porch stones: medium letter size is usually enough
• Garden and patio stones: letters sized for close viewing

Stone texture and deep engraving create natural shadows that help visibility even in bright sun.

For more guidance on visibility, see: Custom House Number Signs Guide

Color fill and finishing

Most of our stones use a dark color fill inside the engraved areas so your design stands out clearly against the stone.

• Dark fill inside the engraving for strong contrast
• Natural stone background that does not look shiny or artificial
• Outdoor rated sealer to protect the surface from weather

The goal is a stone that looks natural in the yard and still reads clearly from lawn, porch, or walkway.

Proofing and production timeline

For most standard designs, we engrave based on the information you provide and the layout standards that keep stones readable and balanced.

For more complex custom artwork orders, we may prepare a layout proof before engraving. If a proof is needed, we will contact you by email.

General timeline

• Your order is received and checked for clarity
• Stone is selected, shaped, and prepared
• Engraving, paint fill, and sealing are completed
• The stone is packed and shipped to your address

If you have a specific date you are hoping for, such as a birthday or wedding, you can mention it in the order notes and we will do our best within normal production limits.

Popular uses for engraved stones

Engraving gives you a lot of flexibility. Here are some of the most common ways people use their stones.

• Address stones for driveways and front yards
  Address Signs Guide
• Welcome stones for porches and entry walks
  Welcome Signs Guide
• Family name and monogram stones for front doors and patios
  Family Name and Monogram Guide
• Garden stones for flower beds and outdoor seating areas
  Garden Stone Support
• Pet memorial stones for special spots in the yard
  Pet Memorial Support

Engraving FAQ

Will the engraving wear away

The engraving is cut into the stone, so it will remain even as the surface picks up normal outdoor character over time.

Can I use my business logo

In many cases yes. As long as the logo can be simplified into clear lines without tiny details, it can usually be engraved. Use the upload product here: Upload Your File Stone

Can you engrave on both sides

Some stones support engraving on both sides. If this option is available for your product, you will see it listed on the product page or as a separate add on item.

Can engraving be repainted in the future

The engraved grooves remain even if paint ever lightens after many years. In most cases paint can be refreshed while the engraving stays the same.

Need more help with your engraving

If you are unsure whether your idea will engrave well, we can look at your text and artwork and give simple guidance.

• View general FAQ
• Send us a question
• Start a custom engraved stone
• Upload artwork for engraving