Why Hand Engraving is Better than Machine Engraving for Live Events

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Personalization has been in more demand in gift gifting. It resonates with our emotions and the perfect way to show how much you mean to them. The experience of personalization can be elevated through bespoke calligraphy because it is unique and simply more beautiful. You may have seen an artist personalizing on the spot or a machine doing the job. It brings a lot more curious mind when an artist does the customization.

Before I elaborate why hand engraving is better than machine for event, let’s define the difference between the two.

Hand Engraving: Etching by using rotary motor drill controlled by hand. The artist is usually an experienced calligrapher and illustrator (not always but sometimes).

Machine Engraving: Apparatus that vaporizes materials into fumes to engrave permanent, deep marks controlled by computer.

As an artist with extensive experience personalizing on the spot, I can attest that customers prefers personalization done by hand for many reasons.

Here are 7 things hand engraving can do that machine engraving can’t at live events:

1. Long Quote

Lots of customers want a message engraved on a perfume or candle to show the gift recipient how much they mean to them. Most surfaces are already small and it would be a long process to fit long messages if done by machine. An artist can simply hand engrave long message in beautiful calligraphy style by adjusting the size of the writing to fit the surface. See some samples here of how I’ve engraved long and meaningful message on beauty products. All was completed in less than 15 minutes.

2. Engraving on unconventional surface design.

Perfume bottles, candle jar or lipstick all come in different shapes and size. Sometimes they are beveled, curved, rippled. By hand, this is easily done as we can adjust the depth of engraving, turn the surface around and control the lines.

3. Complex Illustration

Customers often request illustration to make it even more personal and add character. Whether it is floral, favourite character, pretty much anything that can be drawn by hand. The possibilities are endless.

4. Variety of languages

Where I live, we have amazing diversity and people from all over the world. It’s not uncommon to get request for message in non-english language. The customers simply write down their request on a piece of paper and then the artist copy the request on the surface.

5. Unique writing style

Every calligrapher has their own style. Whether it is modern or traditional, they’re both unique and every letter is drawn differently to beautifully fit the composition and balanced design. My personal favourite style is flourished calligraphy where the end strokes is extended to fit the surface perfectly. Here are some examples

6. Interacting with the Artist

If you find watching calligraphy videos therapeutic, it’s even better seeing it in person. As a live entertainer, it’s always nice when people get curious of what we do and how we do our job. The experience is elevated and more memorable when an artist is customizing your gift.

7. Faster turnaround

Approximately 1 name takes about 3 minutes including drafting, engraving and colour filling. For illustration, it depends on the experience of the artist, but for me it takes about 15-20 minutes. With faster turnaround, the higher volume can be done in 1 event.

It’s important to note that not all of these are achievable and feasible depending on the level of skills of the artist. Less broadly experienced calligraphers may not be comfortable doing illustrative engraving or be able to engrave on unconventional designed surface. Always make sure to check their portfolio and discuss feasibility in your discovery call so your expectations can be met.

Note: All images above are done at live events by me.