How to Engrave a Cedar Chest

An engraved cedar chest is a family heirloom that will last many lifetimes. Standard wood engraving is possible, but advances in technology make laser engraving the way to go. Laser engraving makes designs that are clear, precise and permanent. These can be done on the wood directly or on some type of metal plate.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Choose the type of wood you want your cedar chest to be made out of. A cedar chest need only have a cedar lining to give off the beautiful cedar aroma and provide protection.

2. Pick a name or design to be engraved. Many cedar chest companies offer engraving as a part of ordering options.
   
   

3. Make your own design for engraving. This makes the entire process more personal to your family.

4. Decide if you want the design or name engraved right onto the wood or onto a metal plate. Custom cedar chest builders may give you this option. Cedar chest companies will probably only offer an engraved metal plate.

5. Purchase laser engraving equipment from a reliable dealer if you are the craftsman. Have customers print clearly and carefully the name they wish to be engraved.
   
   

6. Practice using your laser engraving equipment many times before actually putting designs on the material you are engraving.

Tips & Warnings

• Do research to find cedar chest manufacturers or artisans and learn about what type of engraving they do. If you want a more heirloom look, having a design engraved right on the cedar chest is the way to go. This takes the skill of a master craftsman in wood engraving.
• Unlike regular engraving equipment, laser engravers do not actually touch the surface of the wood. For the craftsman, this will be a different feel altogether, but will produce a cleaner looking design.