Words cut in stone are meant to last.
A guide to lettering in stone: choosing granite, marble, slate or sandstone, how letters are cut, lettering styles, memorial wording and ordering from an engraver.
Choosing a Stone: Granite, Marble, Slate and Sandstone
The stone decides how lettering looks, how it weathers and how it must be cut. Four families cover most memorials, plaques and signs.
TechniqueHand-Cut or Sandblasted Lettering
Letters can be cut into stone by hand with a chisel or blasted through a stencil. Both are legitimate; they look different and suit different jobs.
LetteringLettering Styles for Stone
The letters carry the message. A style that suits stone is legible at a distance, survives weathering and fits the character of the memorial or building.
MemorialsWording a Memorial Inscription
A memorial is cut once. Taking time over the words, and checking them more than once, matters more than any choice of stone or style.
Public letteringPlaques, Cornerstones and Dedication Stones
Not all lettered stone is a memorial. Buildings, parks and sports grounds use stones and plaques to mark openings, anniversaries and people worth remembering.
OrderingOrdering from an Engraver: Quotes, Proofs and Who You Are Dealing With
Most disappointments with lettered stone come from the order, not the cutting. A clear quote, a signed proof and knowing exactly which business you are paying prevent nearly all of them.