A cut above the rest
Etching and engraving technology is used to produce many applications such as name plaques, awards and trophies, wedding invitations and signage, menu boards, wayfinding signage, information boards, and more. Laser etching and engraving processes are also commonly used to produce QR codes and data matrix codes, as well as serial numbers.
The benefit of an etched or engraved sign is that it is long-lasting, accurate, and durable. An etched or engraved sign can be produced using a range of materials from acrylic, wood, and metal giving customers a variety of options for their sign.
Traditional engraving first occured back in 3000 BC and was done by Sumerian and Hittite carvers according to Engravers Journal. Met Museum also notes that in the 1430s engravings were produced in Germany with the first “monumental engravings” occuring in the 1470s.
O Factoid: According to Prophecy Market Insights the global laser engraving machine market accounted for $2.6bn (£2.1bn) in 2019 and is estimated to be worth $5.3bn (£4.3bn) by 2029 O
Fast forward to today’s day and age and technology has advanced to include laser and chemical options. An article by Anderson Trophy comparing laser engraving to traditional engraving on trophy plaques describes the process of laser engraving as more accurate and better for producing logos and other decorative features.
Historically, traditional engraving was done using handheld tools. Today, most sign-makers make use of CNC engraving tools which offer higher accuracy, more detail, and increased speeds amongst other benefits.
With this in mind, there are a few ways to permanently add personalisation to signage, this can be through laser and chemical etching, and traditional and laser engraving. Laser etching melts the micro surface to create raised marks and engraving removes material to create deep marks.
Laser engraving cuts through the material and leaves a cavity featuring an image or text. This is done using a high heat laser that vaporises the surface. Whilst an engraver uses sharp tools to physically penetrate the surface, an etcher uses acid to burn lines into the surface.
Laser vision
Founded in Austria, Trotec Laser is a supplier of laser technology and engraving materials and offers a range of laser systems for production use. This includes desktop lasers, mid-range cutters, the company’s flagship Speedy series of flatbed engravers, and the large-format SP series.
Trotec operates across six showrooms throughout the UK and Ireland and has a dedicated UK support team.
For sign-makers looking to offer etching and engraving services, James Hutton, marketing executive of Trotec Laser says outsourcing is often popular as a first step into offering laser cutting and engraving services as it negates the initial purchasing costs. However, he says outsourcing can often only be viable as a short-term solution due to drawbacks such as continual costs for jobs, long lead times from suppliers and a lack of control over the quality of finished jobs.
“A wide variety of different technologies are prevalent in sign-making, with laser increasingly becoming a preferred method of production”, Hutton says, adding: “Due to its versatile nature, laser technology sits well alongside alternative technologies and in some cases can replace them altogether.
Due to its versatile nature, laser technology sits well alongside alternative technologies and in some cases can replace them altogether”
“Many businesses find that investing in their own laser cutter saves valuable production time and enables complete control over the workflow, as well as expanding products and services thanks to the flexibility offered by this technology.
“Advantages can be found from the investment in even entry-level systems, while more feature-rich laser systems can bring further efficiency and quality benefits.”
According to Hutton, this increase in demand for laser is due to the quality finish and permanent mark it leaves. Therefore, in addition to traditionally engraved products like labels and signage, Hutton says sign-makers could also consider offering a laser engraving service or adding personalised products or branded merchandise to their range.
During the Covid-19 pandemic consumers were forced to take their custom online and thus came a boom in e-commerce. This time also saw a huge spike in shoppers opting for personalised gifts in a bid to feel closer to loved ones during times of lockdown or separation due to travel restrictions. According to a gift giving blog by Truly Experiences, this habit of purchasing online has continued as the world has returned to ‘normal’ due to convenience.
Research by Inviqa found that 85% of gift buyers said personalisation is one of the biggest factors when choosing the right gift. These statistics show there is certainly room for sign-makers to capitalise on a booming market through offering etching and engraving services.
Another area Hutton says laser is ideal for is in print and cut applications. For this, Trotec’s Vision camera system reads print registration marks and automatically adjusts for any deviations between print and design files for an accurate cut, reduced wastage, and a consistent result.
Trotec’s new Speedy 400 and 360 features the new Vision Design and Position camera
Other solutions available from Trotec include its new Speedy 400 and 360 featuring the new Vision Design and Position camera. This feature offers a live feed view of the working area and makes material utilisation as easy as possible. Another innovation is Trotec’s Ruby software which launched in 2021. This software combines both laser and graphic design packages for a seamless workflow.
Added value
On the other side of the industry are the sign-makers using equipment to produce etched and engraved signage. Brunel Engraving was founded in 1989 and started out providing rotary engraving services to the local area. Over the past three decades the company has developed a full engraving service and now supports the sign trade across the UK providing products such as name plates and plaques at trade prices.
Brunel Engraving has eight engraving machines, three lasers, and a full chemical etching process which is set to double in size by the end of the year
Due to “ever increasing” demand for colour, Brunel also added chemical etching and print services to its offering. As a result of this, the company has eight engraving machines, three lasers, and a full chemical etching process which is set to double in size by the end of the year. The company also offers dye-sublimation, anodic printing, and digital printing.
In addition to this, Brunel has invested in a laser cutter which enables it to cut shaped nameplates and lettering into materials such as brass and stainless steel.
Tom Pycock, sales director of Brunel Engraving, comments: “Brunel’s services can easily add value for sign-makers. We are here to support them with offering a product range that many sign-makers do not undertake in-house. By allowing Brunel Engraving Co to take on their engraving and etching requirements, they can concentrate on their main product line whilst being confident a quality product will be supplied within an efficient timescale and at a fair price. They also do not have to worry about production issues, machine breakdowns, and even staff holidays.”
Etching and engraving is a durable long-lasting way to decorate a sign. Image: Brunel Engraving
Reflecting on what’s new in etching and engraving technology, Pycock says by combining both etching and engraving equipment and laser cutting machinery, Brunel has developed a much more cost effective and efficient service for larger quantity orders and more unusually shaped items.
“By reversing the process and etching the items in advance we are then able to cut in sheet form rather than handling items individually. This has also saved a considerable amount of time in labour intensive processes,” Pycock says.
By reversing the process and etching the items in advance we are then able to cut in sheet form rather than handling items individually. This has also saved a considerable amount of time in labour intensive processes”
Another company that has been servicing the sign industry for ten years is Trade Etching Direct (TED). The company specialises in chemical etching which is a complex multistage process which uses a range of kit and requires skilled labour and space.
TED enables sign-makers who may be opting to outsource their chemical etching, as Hutton noted is often the case, to offer a range of chemical etched products without the upfront cost of setting up an in-house etching department. According to Anthony Dullaghan, managing director of TED, mastering the process of chemical etching is something that can often be a steep learning curve.
Reverse etched patinated brass produced by Trade Etching Direct
In a typical day, the company can produce anything from stainless steel industrial nameplates, to large patinated brass signage for high-end property developments. Other common applications can include memorial plaques, wayfinding signage, corporate awards, and safety signs. These products are produced using a variety of materials from stainless steel, brass, and zinc to aluminium and etch coated materials such as the Rimex T22 range.
“As a dedicated ‘trade only’ supplier, our longevity has been forged by building long-term relationships with sign companies and delivering consistently high-quality products, and a service that they can trust and rely on time and again,” Dullaghan says.
“We want our customers to feel as though we are their own etching department. We offer very responsive quotes and fast turnaround times including same and next day deliveries where possible. We take great pride in the quality of our work and understand that by the nature of our company, our customers’ success is our success.”
Something TED has worked hard on over the last ten years is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with chemical etching alongside continued investment in staff and equipment.
(Above & below) Trade Etching Direct has developed techniques to etch finer details, etch with more depth, and etch a wider range of materials
Dullaghan explains: “We’ve developed techniques to allow us to etch finer details, etch with more depth and etch a wider range of materials opening up more design possibilities. We offer a number of supporting services in-house, including CNC routing, metal patination, and UV printing.
“UV printing provides our customers with a great low-cost option for back of house signage. We have developed a strong reputation in the industry for the quality of our patina work and this has been a significant area of growth for TED working with our customers on some great architectural projects.”
The hot list
In terms of the trends that are dominating the etching and engraving market at presence, Hutton describes the use of print and cut applications as having recently “exploded in popularity” with advances in technology. He also says more and more businesses are opting for registration camera systems such as Trotec Vision, meaning printed materials can be effortlessly processed with pinpoint accurate results.
Rising costs have swept the entire industry and this is something that Trotec is seeing reflected in demand for etching and engraving products. Hutton says that with the cost of metals rising, the company has seen an increase in people looking for cost-efficient alternatives.
“Trotec’s TroLase Metallic Plus laminate is a great example of this,” Hutton says, adding: “The acrylic-based material is not only perfect for laser processing, it offers a range of benefits over metals, including not corroding in exterior elements.”
Another way the pandemic affected us was its impact on the hospitality industry. Many restaurants and bars were forced to close and when they were able to reopen, they had to change the way they operated. This included ‘checking in’ using the NHS Track and Trace App, and using QR codes to access menus and other information hands-free.
These methods have remained in place for many venues due to benefits such as avoiding long queues and blocking up walkthrough areas, as well as ease of use for the customer. The use of QR codes for menus also reduces waste as many venues previously used disposable paper menus.
This is something Brunel Engraving is seeing in its orders and Pycock adds: “They cannot install them quickly enough. Since the ending of restrictions, it has allowed this sector to fully open up again and we have been inundated with producing these types of items.”
Something Trade Etching Direct has noticed is an increased demand for larger etched signage over recent years and in turn the company has invested in wide-format etching equipment to meet its customers’ needs.
So, whether you are a sign-maker looking to bring etching and engraving services in-house, or you are looking to outsource the job to a reliable trade company, there are plenty of options that will allow you to grow your revenue and capitalise on this healthy area of the industry.
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