Engraving a granite headstone.

Modern headstone engraving techniques have progressed considerably since the use of hammer and chisel. Modern cutting is done by sandblasting through a rubber stencil with a specialise pneumatic chisel.

The first stage in engraving is to confirm the design and wording which is to be used on the headstone. The design and appropriate wording are then cut out of the rubber sheet which is then glued to the headstone. The cutting of the stencil can either be done by hand or computer. Once the stencil is firmly glued in place the sand blasting can start. A mixture of sand or aluminum oxide grit is blasted thought he nozzle. The stencil protects the headstone which is covered only allowing the sand to etch the uncovered areas.

There are various techniques and variations in the way a stencil can be used, to obtain different finishes such as frosting or knurled or cut glass effects. Specialist tools and precise sand blasting nozzles can be used to obtain textured or more precise work such as images and shapes.

To achieve even greater detailed photo like images the headstone will need to be polished granite and the images etched using tools such as die grinding, texturing tools and diamond detailing. There are also specialised machines which can be used to reproduce photographs directly onto granite.


For more useful information on granite headstones and memorials please click here.