When you order a headstone, the lettering is typically produced using one of two techniques: laser etching (also called laser engraving) or hand-cut (also called V-cut) lettering. Both have their advantages, and understanding the difference helps you make an informed choice for your memorial.
Laser Etching
Laser etching uses a computer-controlled laser beam to remove the top layer of the polished granite surface, creating the letterforms with extraordinary precision. The result is highly consistent lettering that is perfectly aligned and reproduced exactly as designed. Laser etching is also the basis for our high-resolution photo process.
- Computer-controlled — every letter is perfectly consistent
- Can reproduce any font, including complex scripts and decorative styles
- Ideal for high-resolution imagery and photographic work
- Faster production than hand-cut lettering
- Less three-dimensional than V-cut — a shallower impression
Hand-Cut (V-Cut) Lettering
Hand-cut lettering is produced by skilled craftsmen using diamond-tipped tools to cut a V-shaped groove into the granite, following a design template. The result has a subtly different quality to laser lettering — a slight three-dimensionality and a hand-crafted character that many families prefer for traditional memorials.
- Slight three-dimensional quality — the V-groove catches light differently
- Traditional craft technique with a long heritage
- Slightly more costly and time-consuming than laser etching
- Ideal for traditional memorial styles and classical typography
"Both techniques produce beautiful results. The right choice depends on the style of the memorial and the quality of the craftsman."