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Welcome to My Engraving Service

Thank you for considering Jamie’s Hand Engraving for your piece.

I take a great deal of pride in my work and approach every commission with care. Hand engraving is a permanent process, and I understand that many of the objects entrusted to me have sentimental and/or financial value.

My aim is to create work that feels appropriate to the object and made to last.

Before commissioning a piece, please take a moment to read the following information. It explains the types of work I undertake, the materials I am comfortable working with, some of the limitations of hand engraving, and what you can expect when entrusting an item to me.

If you are unsure whether your idea or item is suitable, please get in touch. I am always happy to have a conversation before accepting a commission.

What I Engrave

I undertake traditional hand engraving across a range of small objects, jewellery and keepsakes.

This can include:

  • Jewellery – rings, pendants, bracelets and other personal pieces.
  • Keepsakes – tokens, charms, lockets and sentimental objects.
  • Plaques – commemorative, presentation and decorative plates.
  • Small tools and objects – suitable brass, copper, steel and precious-metal tools, accessories and components.
  • Lettering and monograms – names, initials, dates, inscriptions and commemorative text.
  • Decorative engraving – scrollwork, borders, ornament and other hand-cut designs.
  • Matching existing engraving – where additional pieces need to complement an existing set or style.

No commission is too small to ask about. A simple monogram, date or inscription can be just as meaningful as a larger decorative piece.

Materials I Work With

Different metals can behave very differently under a graver. Even two objects described as the same material can vary significantly depending on their alloy, hardness, manufacturing process, surface treatment and age.

Materials I Am Confident Working With

I regularly work with:

  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Mild steel
  • Silver and suitable silver alloys

These materials are generally well suited to traditional hand engraving, although each object is still assessed individually before work begins.

Materials Accepted Following Assessment

I may also accept work in:

  • Stainless steel
  • Gold and other precious-metal alloys
  • Bronze
  • Aluminium
  • Titanium
  • Plated metals
  • Other identifiable non-ferrous alloys

These materials are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Stainless steel in particular varies considerably. Some grades engrave beautifully, while hardened or specialised stainless steels can be unsuitable for traditional hand cutting.

Where I am unfamiliar with a particular material, I may ask for further information, recommend a sample piece or request permission to perform a small test cut in an inconspicuous location.

Acceptance of a material does not automatically mean that every object made from that material will be suitable for engraving.

Materials and Items I Normally Do Not Engrave

There are some materials and objects that fall outside the processes I use or where I do not believe I can achieve an appropriate result.

Unless specifically discussed and agreed beforehand, I generally do not accept:

  • Tungsten or tungsten-carbide jewellery
  • Hardened tool steels
  • Extremely hard or heavily heat-treated components
  • Ceramics
  • Glass
  • Gemstones
  • Plastics
  • Wood
  • Unidentified materials that cannot reasonably be assessed
  • Materials with hazardous coatings or contamination
  • Items where plating, coatings or surface treatments make engraving unpredictable or unsuitable

I do not currently accept firearms, or other regulated weapons/ components for engraving.

If I believe an item is unsuitable for my process or that the finished result would not meet the standard I expect from my work, I reserve the right to decline the commission.

I would much rather turn down a piece than perform work that I do not believe I can execute properly.

Existing, Sentimental and Irreplaceable Items

Many commissions involve objects that already have a history.

Please let me know if your piece is:

  • antique;
  • particularly valuable;
  • sentimental;
  • one-of-a-kind;
  • difficult or impossible to replace; or
  • part of an existing matching set.

I treat every item entrusted to me with care. However, older and previously used objects can contain hidden conditions that are not visible during a normal inspection.

These can include previous repairs, soldered areas, thin sections, internal stresses, loose components, worn plating or unknown material compositions.

For this reason, I will generally avoid accepting exceptionally valuable or truly irreplaceable heirlooms where I believe the potential consequence of an unexpected problem is disproportionate to the engraving being requested.

This does not mean that every sentimental item will be declined. Please talk to me about the piece first and I can assess whether I am comfortable undertaking the work.

Customer-Supplied Items

Where appropriate, I will inspect and photograph customer-supplied items before engraving begins.

This provides a record of the item’s condition and allows any existing scratches, dents, wear, damage or previous repairs to be identified before work commences.

Please tell me about anything you know that could affect the work, including:

  • previous repairs;
  • soldering or welding;
  • plating or coatings;
  • heat treatment or hardening;
  • hollow construction;
  • unusually thin sections;
  • loose stones or components;
  • previous engraving;
  • previous refinishing; or
  • unusual materials or construction.

If an unexpected condition becomes apparent while I am working on the piece, I may stop work and contact you before continuing.

Hand Engraving Is a Permanent Modification

Traditional engraving works by physically cutting and removing a small amount of material from the surface of an object.

It is therefore a permanent modification.

Once engraving has begun, returning an item to its original untouched condition may not be possible without refinishing, removing additional material or replacing the affected component.

Before cutting begins, we will agree on the general design, text, placement and scale of the engraving.

Please carefully check all:

  • names;
  • initials;
  • dates;
  • numbers;
  • spelling;
  • orientation; and
  • wording

before approving the work.

Once engraving has commenced, changes may not be possible without additional work.

The Character of Hand Engraving

My engraving is individually cut by hand rather than mechanically reproduced.

Small variations in line width, depth, spacing and form are part of the character of traditional hand engraving and are one of the qualities that distinguish it from machine or laser engraving.

Where I am asked to match existing engraving, I will aim to reproduce its scale, character, placement and overall appearance as closely as reasonably practicable.

Exact duplication cannot always be guaranteed, particularly when the original engraving method, tools, material or engraver are unknown.

The goal is for the new work to belong naturally alongside the original rather than to claim that two pieces created separately by hand will be microscopically identical.

Manufacturer Warranties

Engraving modifies the original surface of an item and may affect its finish, plating, coating or construction.

As a result, engraving may affect a manufacturer’s, retailer’s or third-party warranty, depending on the terms of that warranty.

If your item is still under warranty, I recommend checking with the original manufacturer or supplier before authorising engraving.

Jamie’s Hand Engraving cannot guarantee that a manufacturer or third-party warranty provider will continue to provide voluntary warranty coverage after an item has been modified.

Nothing in these terms is intended to remove any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.

Design Approval

Where appropriate, I may prepare a drawing, layout, transfer or digital reference before engraving begins.

This provides an opportunity to confirm the overall:

  • wording;
  • placement;
  • scale;
  • orientation; and
  • character of the engraving.

Once a design has been approved and cutting has begun, significant changes may require additional engraving, refinishing or replacement work and may not always be possible.

Quotes and Changes to a Commission

Quotes are based on the information available when I assess the job.

The quoted price will generally reflect the agreed design, scale and scope of work.

If you request substantial changes after accepting a quote, or if an unexpected condition of the item changes the amount of work required, I will discuss this with you before proceeding with significant additional work.

Design work, samples or preparation undertaken specifically for a commission may also form part of the cost of the job.

Why Choose Hand Engraving?

Hand engraving is a premium, traditional form of personalisation.

Unlike automated processes designed to reproduce a design quickly, every line I engrave is individually cut into the metal by hand. The design, tool choice and depth of cut are considered specifically for the object in front of me.

I approach commissions with the idea that the object may become an heirloom: something made to accompany your life and potentially continue beyond it.

It is a slow and involved process, and that is very much the point.

That difference is also reflected in the cost of the work. Pricing is based on the time, complexity, design and craftsmanship involved rather than an arbitrary figure.

If you have a particular budget in mind, please let me know. A smaller budget does not necessarily mean that a meaningful hand-engraved piece is out of reach. I can often suggest alternative lettering styles, decorative treatments, layouts or levels of complexity that complement both the object and your budget.

Timeframes

Traditional hand engraving is a slow and detailed process.

When accepting a commission, I will provide an estimated timeframe based on the complexity of the work and my current workload.

Unexpected characteristics of an item, design changes or additional preparation can occasionally affect this timeframe.

If there is a significant change to the expected completion date, I will let you know.

Photography

I photograph work as part of documenting my engraving practice and keeping a record of completed commissions.

With your permission, photographs may also be included in my:

  • website;
  • portfolio;
  • social media;
  • demonstrations; or
  • other examples of my work.

If your piece is private, or intended as a surprise gift, please let me know. I am happy to keep photographs private. I won’t show anything without your written consent.

Starting a Commission

If you have an idea, I encourage you to get in touch even if you are unsure whether it is possible.

When contacting me, it is helpful to include:

  • a few clear photographs of the item;
  • what the item is;
  • what material you believe it is made from;
  • its approximate dimensions;
  • what you would like engraved;
  • where you would like the engraving positioned; and
  • any reference images or existing engraving you would like me to consider.

From there, I can assess the piece and talk with you about what is practical.

A commission can be as simple as a few initials or as involved as a completely hand-cut decorative design.

No idea is too small to ask about.

Sometimes the smallest details become the most meaningful pieces.

Jamie’s Hand Engraving
Traditional hand engraving, lettering and decorative work.