A plaque is a deeply personal and important tribute that celebrates and dedicates a moment in someones life. It plays an essential role in the remembrance of moments worth remembering and serves as a lasting representation of an individual.

The design process is tremendously rewarding, but can seem overwhelming at first. Along with selecting the plaques size, material and style, there are several personalization options to consider including which design method your family prefers—plaque laser engraving or plaque diamond etching.

But what is the difference between diamond etching and laser engraving?

Continue reading to learn more about the process, cost, and design options related to laser engraving and diamond etching.

What Is Plaque Laser Engraving?

Plaque laser engraving is the process or art of cutting designs into a hard surface, like a granite headstone or metal plate. And, it’s the most common design method used to create the lettering, logos and symbols on most plaques.

While hammers and chisels were traditionally used for engraving, laser engraving has become the preferred plaque engraving method. Laser etching enables artists to produce accurate and detailed recreations of original designs and photographs in stone, metal, wood, plastic and on glass. This process uses a computerized laser that burns the surface of the material.

What Is Diamond Etching?

When a piece requires the same detailed image but on a harder material, then diamond etching is the preferred method. While laser engraving makes a sharper v-cut shape, only hand etching produces a high contrast marking on the surface of the material that engraves deeper into the metal. Thus, it can create fine, detailed designs but the lines may not be as crisp.

There are two methods that can be used to diamond etch highly detailed designs in stone and metal —hand etching and laser etching.

Hand Etching

Hand etching is a unique and difficult skill that adds incredible character and customization to a plaque or award. Talented hand etchers (pantograph or pantographers) can take a scenic picture or even multiple images of a person and create a one-of-a-kind image.

Using a diamond-tipped etching tool, the image is carved into the material, creating more depth and contrast in the plaque or award. This type of headstone etching is deeper than laser etching (or laser engraving) and is best used on hard steel. 

Not only is hand etching a precise skill, but it is also a true art that requires creativity a machine cannot yet create on its own.

Laser Etching

Laser etching enables artists to produce accurate and detailed recreations of original designs and photographs on metal, wood, plastic, stone or glass. This process uses a computerized laser that burns the surface of the material. 

Laser engraving is a less expensive alternative to hand etching, and is especially effective when an organization/family/corporation is able to provide a clear photo or logo.

However, laser etching does not involve the same level of artistic creativity that hand etching requires. It does not provide the same depth of hand etching that creates contrast for lettering and designs.

How Are Plaque/Award Laser Engraving and Diamond Etching Similar?

While laser engraving and diamond etching are two vastly different methods of personalizing an award, they do have one major similarity—both create a memorial of distinction that is unique to the moment trying to be captured..

Each of these methods is a unique and highly specialized practice that adds incredible character and customization to an award or trophy. No matter which method you choose, you will leave with a customized plaque fit for your moment.

Design Options For Headstone Engraving and Headstone Etching

Over the years, our certified award specialists at Trophy House Pros have engraved and etched designs on Trophies, Plaques, Medals, Custom Awards, Engraved Yeti Mugs, etc. Check out a few of our projects on our instagram or Facebook page.

Design a Custom Award

Now that you better understand the similarities and differences between laser engraving and diamond etching, it’s time to determine the features you’d like to incorporate into your award, trophy or plaque.