The Complete Glossary of Engraving Terms

Whether you're commissioning a custom piece or simply curious about the craft, you'll quickly discover that engraving has a language all its own. Terms like scrollwork, relief engraving, and guilloché are commonly used by engravers but may be unfamiliar to those new to the process.

This engraving glossary is designed to help you better understand the terminology behind traditional hand engraving. The more you know about these engraving terms, the easier it becomes to communicate your ideas and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into every finished piece.

Annealing

A heat-treatment process used to soften metal before engraving or forming. Annealing makes many metals easier to cut and reduces stress within the material.

Bright Cut

A highly polished engraving cut that reflects light, creating a brilliant, mirror-like appearance. Bright cuts are often used to add sparkle and contrast to jewelry.

Burin (Also Known as Graver)

The hardened steel cutting tool used by hand engravers to remove metal and create engraved designs. Different shapes of gravers produce different styles of cuts. "Burin" is the traditional/print-engraving term, while "graver" is the jewelry-trade term)

Crosshatching

A series of intersecting engraved lines used to create shading, texture, or depth within a design.

Deep Relief Engraving (Also Known as Relief Engraving) 

An engraving technique where the background is cut away, leaving the main design raised above the surrounding surface. This creates dramatic depth and shadow.

Flare Cut

A decorative engraving cut that gradually widens as it progresses, creating graceful transitions often found in scrollwork.

Guilloché

A decorative pattern made from precisely repeated geometric lines or curves. Traditionally created using specialized machinery, guilloché is often found on fine watches, luxury pens, coins, and decorative metalwork.

Hand Engraving

The traditional process of cutting designs directly into metal using hand-guided tools rather than lasers or chemical etching. Every line is created through the engraver's control and experience.

Inlay

A decorative technique where one metal is precisely fitted into another. Gold or silver inlay is commonly used to add contrast and visual interest to engraved pieces.

Layout

The planning stage of an engraving. Before cutting begins, the design is carefully positioned and proportioned to fit the object.

Monogram

A decorative arrangement of initials used to personalize jewelry, accessories, and heirloom pieces. Monograms are among the oldest and most enduring forms of engraved personalization.

Ornamental Engraving

Decorative engraving featuring scrolls, leaves, borders, ribbons, and other artistic elements rather than text alone.

Patina

A natural change in a metal's surface color caused by age, oxidation, or intentional finishing techniques. Patina often enhances engraved lines by increasing contrast.

Repoussé

A traditional metalworking technique where metal is shaped from the back to create raised designs on the front. While not technically engraving, repoussé is often combined with engraved details to add texture and definition.

Scrollwork (Also Known as Acanthus) 

One of the most recognizable engraving styles, scrollwork consists of flowing curves inspired by vines, leaves, and natural forms. It has been used for centuries on jewelry, firearms, knives, and ornamental metalwork.

Shading

Fine engraved lines added to create depth, dimension, and the illusion of light and shadow within a design.

Transfer

The process of placing a design onto metal before engraving begins. Transfers help establish accurate layout and proportions before the first cut is made.

V-Cut

One of the most common engraving cuts, produced with a V-shaped graver. It creates crisp lines for lettering, borders, and ornamental designs.

Need Help Choosing the Right Engraving Style?

Learning the vocabulary is a great first step, but every engraving presents its own opportunities and challenges. If you're unsure which style, technique, or design elements best fit your project, we're happy to help.

Whether you're creating a custom piece of jewelry, restoring an heirloom, or commissioning a one-of-a-kind engraved object, our Master Engraver, Phil Bartolotta, guides you through the process and explains every step along the way to help you create a truly one-of-a-kind piece.