Engraving
Selecting a Good Photo for Laser Engraving
Not all images are ideal for engraving. Even if a photo looks good on a computer screen, that doesn't always mean it will translate well to the laser. Use this guide to select the best images for your desired results!
Good Quality
The best photos for engraving will have a resolution of at least 300dpi, sharp focus on the subject of the photo, and good lighting with minimal shadows and dark spots.
The subject should be completely in-frame and in-focus, clearly defined and standing out from the background without getting lost or "blending in". Some minor retouches may be needed to adjust lights/darks, but no intensive restoration is required.
Poor Quality
Photos that are considered "poor" quality for engraving typically have a blurred or grainy quality, low resolution, low lighting, or harsh lighting and too-high contrast that causes fine detail to be lost in the darkest and lightest areas. Using instagram filters or sending a photo through text message can greatly lower the quality of the image, and while it may look perfectly fine on a screen in full color, it will not engrave well. Sometimes with extensive editing and restoration, an engraving can be done with these images. However, it is likely it will not be to the highest possible quality.
Unusable Images
For a photo to be considered "unusable" for an engraving, it typically means that the image is extremely blurry, extremely dark, or extremely overexposed. Low resolution photos may be unusable if the subject is out of focus and detail is not visible. The subject may be backlit, partially obstructed, or partially out-of-frame. Damage to the photo, Instagram or Snapchat filters, distortions, and shadows that "cut" across the subjects can also render an image unusable. Even with extensive editing and restoration, the result will likely be unsatisfactory to both the customer, and our own production standards.
Alternatives to Photo Engraving
If you do not have a usable photograph, we are happy to work with you to find an alternative. We can create a clean, detailed drawing from photos provided to us, and we have an extensive library of graphic elements. We can also use pawprints, handprints, or other similar impressions to make a custom graphic, if you are able to provide them.
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