How to Engrave Words Into Stone

You can carve your own designs into stone using a sandblaster

Rock carving is not a new art form. Artisans have been placing their mark in stone for hundreds of years. However, only recently has it become so easy for the layperson to be able to recreate professional images and text onto stone. Using the power of a sandblaster, you can engrave almost any image that you can imagine into stone.

Things You'll Need

• Sandblasting pen
• 10 mil photo image film
• Stencil cutting machine
• Flat stone
• Clear plastic sheeting

Instructions

1. Using a heavy 10 mil sheet of stencil film, print your design onto the film with a professional stencil cutter. These machines print your design from a computer image that you supply. The machine then cuts the image out of the adhesive stencil film so that it will leave spaces for the sandblaster to carve the words on the rock.

2. Remove the backing paper on the back of the stencil film to reveal the very sticky surface. Carefully line up the stencil exactly where you'd like it on the surface of the rock and press it firmly into place.

3. Cover the work surface with a piece of clear plastic to keep the sandblasting dust from filling the room. You should be able to see through the plastic easily so you can watch what you are doing as you carve underneath the plastic.

4. Set up the sandblasting pen per the manufacturer's instructions (as all models are slightly different). Start with one corner of the stencil and work your way across the entire piece until all of the letters are carved. The stencil will keep you from carving any stray marks onto the stone, but make sure that you use an even sweep of your hand so that you do not stay in any area too long, which could cause deeper gouges in the stone.

5. Inspect your carving before you remove the stencil. Check over every inch of your design to make sure that you have carved the entire design. Once you remove the stencil, it will be very hard to line up again to fix a small detail you may have missed.

6. Peel off the stencil and dust or wash off your project. The words should now be carved neatly into the stone.

References

• R L Rouse: How Engraved Stones Are Crafted
• SCM System: Sandblast Stencils