Engraving Do’s
Engraving provides a number of unique possibilities that aren’t possible with any other form of reproduction. They add the distinction and appearance that quickly identifies engraved stationery and makes it makes it stand out as artful, dignified and elegant. Here are a few of the major dos to help create the right design:

  • Very Small type

No form of reproduction can reproduce type or art elements as small as engraving can. The result is perfectly clear and easy to read. Copy can be stretched or reduced to the virtual visual limit, yet each letter and fine line is faithfully reproduced.

  • Faithful reproduction

Precise engraved plates reproduce artwork exactly as created, be it lettering, typography or art elements. The engraving can be done by hand or by photomechanical means to get exactly what is needed.

  • Mixed techniques

The use of multi-media to create stationery can be very interesting and exciting. The combination of screens for a large design area plus engraved type and embossing, can make a design unique.

  • Blind embossing

Three-dimensional blind embossing is very rich and subtle. You not only see it, you feel it. It looks best if done without ink on a premium grade of paper. Embossing is done on an engraving press, so it can all be done in-house by the engraver.

  • The look of quality

Engraved stationery is distinctive and denotes professionalism and stature. It is regarded as the absolute in quality. On premium cotton content papers it has a look and feel all of its own and cannot be duplicated.

Engraving Don’ts

While engraving has a number of unique graphic advantages, there are a number of restrictions on the work. These should be recognized in order to avoid the pitfalls of the technical limits of the craft.

  • Restrict the engraving area

There is a practical limit to the area that can be engraved in a single impression of the engraver’s press. This can be a factor in design and cost. Engraving both the top and bottom of a sheet requires two passes through the press. Most engravers have presses that have a useable limit of 5″ x 9″. The engraving design should be kept within an area this size, if possible.

  • Avoid large solid areas

Because of the heavy layer of ink placed on paper by the engraving process, large panels of colour should be avoided. The raised ink tends to flatten or becomes splotchy. If large panels of solid colour are used in the artwork or logos, it is better to reproduce it using lithography or letterpress, adding the type and line art by engraving or blind embossing the solid area.

  • Don’t over design

Engraving has an appearance and graphic feel all of its own. The fine paper, plus the engraving and embossing all blend together to create a graphic entity unto itself. The ‘design’ goes beyond the graphic elements, with the whole sheet becoming a form of design. A simple letterhead that is engraved can look outstanding, whereas a letterhead that is printed may not look distinctive at all. Use the advantages of the engraving process, but don’t overuse them.

  • Don’t mix colours

Engraving can’t blend colours together, as is achieved with duo-tones or 4-colour process printing. In engraving, the colour you specify is the colour you get, so if you want coloured halftones, use printing. However, if ‘correct’ colours one at a time are the order of the day, engraving is the way to go.