Engraved pens make a wonderful gift for both men and women. The pen is practical and useful to almost everyone and the engraving makes the gift meaningful and special.
When you select a pen for engraving, it is tempting to select a well-known and expensive brand such as Cross or Waterman. However, lesser known brands can also be good quality pens and make excellent gifts at lower cost. Before you make your selection, try the pens yourself to find one that has a good feel and writes well. In addition, for engraving, you will need to consider the pen surface and size.
Surface Material of Engraved Pens
Different surface materials produce different engraving effects. Pens with a lacquer finish, such as black pens, have a color varnish that coats the body of the pen. Under the coating, the pen is usually brass. When engraved, the lacquer is removed to reveal the pen's surface, thus, the engraving is in a gold or silver color and stands out very clearly against the black background. However, the engraving may not match the pen's trim.
Stainless steel, solid silver, and solid chrome pens are engraved directly into the pen surface and can look quite elegant. If the surface is brushed, however, the engraving may not stand out clearly against the background. In addition, stainless steel is a hard surface and doesn't produce a very strong or deep engraving.
Carbon fibre pens also work well for engraving if silver or gold leaf is rubbed into the engraving to make it more visible.
Note:
If you are planning to engrave a pen, do not select pens that have uneven surfaces or leather. Pens with a distinct pattern are also not ideal for engraving.
Pen Size and Surface Area for Engraving
When choosing a pen for engraving, keep in mind the message you want to engrave and the size of the font you prefer. A chunky pen is more suitable to a longer message or a bigger font. You will have less available space if you select a slimline pen.
Typically, pens are engraved horizontally down the length of the pen barrel. However, it is possible to engrave around the barrel as well.
Choose Fonts for Legibility
Most engraving machines today use computerized laser technology with pinpoint accuracy to engrave pens. The engraveable area is defined with a guidable laser and then translated to the computer screen. Most engraving machines have a large range of fonts available from fancy, decorative fonts to classic Roman, as well as a wide selection of font sizes. If you want to message to be read, be sure to select a legible font and the largest size possible for the area. For small font sizes, avoid fancy scripts and complicated lettering.
If you take the time to select the right pen for engraving, you can be sure your gift will be treasured
Sharon Russell - Currently a freelance writer, Sharon has worked as a technical writer in the high tech industry for over 15 years. Prior to that, she ...
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