How to Engrave

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Artists and printmakers have been engraving metal or wood for centuries, and there are entire volumes covering this art.Nowadays, there are laser cutters and other tools that are capable of cutting plastic, precious stones and all those materials that are particularly difficult to work with.Despite all these rich and varied technologies, you can start engraving with just a few tools.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Engrave Metal

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  1. Step 1 Scegli uno strumento.
    You can use a hammer and chisel, but a pneumatic "chisel" or "graver" gives you more stability and control without being overly expensive.If you already own a hand drill with a tungsten carbide tip, then you can try using it.
    • Engraving tools are available with many different shaped tips.The square one with a "V" section is one of the most versatile.
    • Sometimes, although it is an uncommon choice, soft materials can be engraved with a compass or a knife, even if it is difficult to carry out precise work and guarantee a good three-dimensional appearance of the finished product.
  2. Step 2 Scegli un oggetto di metallo con il quale esercitarti.
    If this is your first time approaching this art, you should avoid working on precious things such as an antique watch.Instead, train on an object that you can damage without problems.Some soft metals such as copper or some brass alloys can be engraved more easily and quickly than steel or other similar materials.
  3. Step 3 Pulisci il metallo.
    Use a damp cloth for this operation, then switch to a dry rag to remove any remaining moisture.If the surface is still dirty, scrub it with soapy water and then dry it.
    • If the metal is coated with a protective finish, as is often the case with brass, it is not necessary to remove it.However, machining will cut into the finish, so you will need to reapply it once the engraving is finished if you want the color of the metal to remain consistent.
  4. Step 4 Disegna o stampa il motivo.
    If you're carving a small object for the first time, draw or print a simple decoration with well-spaced lines.Performing very detailed and elaborate work is quite complicated if you don't have experience, and the final effect could be confused or smudged.It would be advisable to trace the decoration directly onto the metal.If this is not possible, draw or print the image respecting the proportions with the object and then follow the instructions below to transfer it to the object.
    • If you have to engrave letters, try to trace them as uniformly as possible by drawing them inside two parallel horizontal lines (help yourself with a ruler).
  5. Step 5 Se necessario, trasferisci il motivo decorativo sul metallo.
    If the design is already on the object, skip this step.If you can't get the specific materials you need, search online to find alternative techniques.However, be aware that, very often, you will have to obtain special tools.
    • Add some hairspray or shellac to the area you will be engraving.Wait until it becomes almost completely dry and slightly sticky.
    • Draw the pattern on polyester film (Mylar) using a soft lead pencil.
    • Cover the drawing with tape.Rub the adhesive tape well with a fingernail or a burnisher, then lift it very carefully.At this point the drawing should have transferred onto the tape.
    • Glue the tape to the lacquered metal.Rub it again with your fingernail and then remove it.
  6. Step 6 Fissa l’oggetto di metallo con dei morsetti.
    Processing will be much easier if the metal is clamped with clamps or in a vice:this way it cannot slip.You can use a manual clamp that allows you to grip it with a firm grip, but be aware that this solution presents a greater risk of cuts and scrapes.If you have decided to use a power tool or hammer and chisel (which require the use of both hands), it is best to clamp the object in a table vice.
  7. Step 7 Incidi seguendo il disegno.
    Use the tool of your choice to transform the pencil drawing into an engraving.Apply as much pressure as necessary to the tip to remove small metal fragments.For the first few attempts, hold the tool at a constant angle to the metal surface.Start by working straight lines in both directions until you get a visible, deep cut.Use this starting point to draw all other lines.To engrave complex shapes, such as the letter “J,” first finish the straight portion, and then move on to the more difficult section you haven't yet engraved.
  8. Step 8 Migliorati.
    Printmaking is an art form that involves constant improvement throughout your life.If you are interested in new techniques, engraving machinery or want new practical advice to expand your "collection" of tools, know that there are many resources to draw on.
    • Do some research online to find "engraving forums" where you can engage with a large community of engravers.If you are interested in a particular technique, you can find sub-forums dedicated to precious metals, steel or other methods of metal engraving.
    • Find some textbooks.You can find much more detail in a book than is available online.If you are not sure which manual to start from, you can find out more in an internet forum.
    • Study at the engravers' workshops in your city.This means signing up for a course or finding a craftsman who offers workshops.If you're really serious, propose yourself as an apprentice in some laboratory where you will work in exchange for experience, or sign up for some year-long course.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Engraving Wood with Electric Tools

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  1. Step 1 Scegli un attrezzo rotante.
    Virtually all tools like the dremel or the cutter They are available with wood tips.A table cutter might be the best solution if you want to obtain a uniform cutting depth and work easily, and it is also highly recommended for lettering and other simple engravings.Alternatively, a hand tool allows you to change the engraving angle and allows you to experiment with different cutting styles.
    • When using rotary instruments the use of protective glasses is strongly recommended to avoid eye damage caused by fragments dispersing into the air.
    • If you decide to engrave complex and extremely detailed patterns, use a CNC machine ("computer numerical control" in English).
  2. Step 2 Scegli una punta per incidere.
    There are different types and you can connect them to the end of your tool to obtain different cuts.The cylindrical and "bullnose" tips are very useful, respectively, for flat or hollow surfaces, while the flame tip (or teardrop) allows you to obtain greater control over the cut and change the engraving angle.There are many other forms suitable for specific jobs, if you decide to develop this art better.
  3. Step 3 Disegna o trasferisci una decorazione sul legno.
    When you need to engrave this material, the amount of detail is limited only by the size of your cutting tool and the precision of your hands.If you don't feel confident drawing freehand on wood, print the pattern onto a thin polyester film, such as Mylar, and secure it to the surface with tape.
  4. Step 4 Ripassa il disegno con lo strumento di incisione.
    Turn on the tool you have chosen and gently place it on the wood.Perform constant and slow movements, going over the entire decoration.You'll notice that the engraving doesn't have to be very deep to get a good three-dimensional effect, so start with a light hand:you can go through it a second time later if you are not satisfied.
  5. Step 5 Vernicia il legno...
    Paint the wood (optional). If you want the engraving to be even more noticeable, paint the cut area.The original, flat part must be colored with a different shade to make the design stand out.Varnish or a transparent impregnator will protect the wood from wear and cracks.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Hand Engraving Wood for Printing

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  1. Step 1 Scegli gli attrezzi per incidere.
    There are many handheld (non-electrically powered) tools you can use.If you want to create very detailed images, like those you can see in 19th century books, choose two or three different tools to achieve different effects.Here are the three tools traditionally used for manual wood engraving:
    • There gouge It is used to obtain fluid lines.
    • The burin it produces uniform lines but, by changing the engraving angle, it also manages to modify its thickness.
    • The chisel, with a rounded or square tip, is able to eliminate large portions of wood to produce white spaces once the image is printed.This is not necessary if you don't plan to print.
  2. Step 2 Applica un sottile strato di inchiostro sul legno.
    Take a small bottle of black pen ink and brush it or lightly spread it with a cloth all over the flat surface of the wooden block.This way you can see the cut parts more clearly, so it is important not to use too much color, to prevent the wood from absorbing it even under the surface.
  3. Step 3 Controlla che la superficie sia pronta.
    Wait until the ink is completely dry.At this point check for any rough "fuzz" on the wood.If so, rub the block vigorously with a paper towel.
  4. Step 4 Appoggia il legno su un supporto (facoltativo).
    A small leather pad filled with sand is the most suitable surface to carve wood on, as it offers good support no matter what angle you strike.You don't want to clamp the wood with a table vise, since you will have to move it as you carve.
  5. Step 5 Afferra lo strumento.
    Hold it as if it were a computer mouse with your cupped hand where the handle rests.Press on one side of the metal stem with your index finger and the other with your thumb.Let the wide portion of the handle rest in the palm of your hand;when you carve, press down on this portion of the tool.
  6. Step 6 Incidi il legno.
    Press the tool onto the surface at an angle that is not too wide.With your other hand, slowly rotate the block of wood as you increase pressure on the tool.Do not advance more than an inch at a time before changing your hand position.It will take some practice before you get a precise cut.
    • If the tool gets stuck in the wood too quickly and gets stuck, then you have used too narrow an angle.
    • The "gravers" can be gradually tilted to form narrower or wider angles to make the engraved lines wider or thinner.Again, you need to practice to use the tool correctly, but this is a very useful skill for wood engraving.
  7. Step 7 Prova diverse tecniche.
    One way to start wood carving is to first work with the edges of the image, leaving a little margin and then defining the details with a thinner tool.There are many methods to recreate shading in a stylized way, but the most common is to engrave many parallel lines that overlap (just like if you were to draw "pouring rain"), since it produces a natural effect.
  8. Step 8 Aggiungi l’inchiostro allo “stampo”.
    Once the block has been engraved, you can transfer the image to the paper as many times as you like.Purchase a tube of oil-based letterpress ink.Squeeze a small amount onto the flat part of the wood and, with a manual rubber roller, spread a thin layer over the entire surface.If necessary, add more ink and always distribute it with the roller until you obtain an even surface.
  9. Step 9 Trasferisci il disegno sulla carta.
    Place a sheet of paper over the inked block of wood, being very careful not to move it once it comes into contact with it.Rub the back of the paper with a burnisher or other flat object.Lift the sheet when it has been firmly pressed and, at this point, you should be able to see the printed image.Repeat this operation as many times as necessary, adding more ink if the block dries out.
    • If the burnisher doesn't slide easily, rub it on your hair to grease it just enough to make it easier without staining the sheet.
    • Look for a "printing burnisher", as there are other tools with this name but they are suitable for other projects.
  10. Step 10 Pulisci gli strumenti.
    After a printing session, remove the ink from the engraved wood block and tools using white spirit or vegetable oil and a clean rag.Put the “mold” away for future use if you plan to print again.
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Things you will need

To engrave metal:

  • Metal object (including a practice surface)
  • Paper and pencil to draw a sketch
  • Polyester film (such as Mylar)
  • Soft lead pencil
  • Adhesive tape
  • Engraving tools:hammer and chisel, a graver or a pneumatic chisel

To engrave wood:

  • Router and small manual drill
  • Wooden object
  • Polyester film (such as Mylar)
  • Finishing paint or primer (optional)

To hand engrave wood and print:

  • Small block of wood
  • Black ink pen
  • Relief printing ink (oil)
  • Burnisher (or a flat, smooth object)
  • Tools for engraving wood by hand (preferably in two or three different shapes)
  • Paper
  • White spirit or seed oil
  • Clean rag

Advice

  • To engrave glass, use a small wheel tool with a diamond vibrating tip.Always wear safety glasses and a respirator to avoid contact with glass dust.If you are looking for an easier way to decorate glass, read on this article, which will tell you how to use corrosive paste.
  • Precious gems, stone, plastic and other materials can be engraved but, generally, specific tools that work at low temperatures or are sufficiently resistant are required.
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Warnings

  • Before using a power tool, read the instructions carefully or ask for supervision from an experienced person.
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