| n before CNC machines were invented, long before | | | | who's it is. |
| hand-held Dremel tools, man had few options to | | | | Back to jewelry, we have seen engraving to be a |
| make marks on metal. Starting with a sharp piece of | | | | much more widely used approach to uniquely provide |
| another metal, companies could tap inscriptions or | | | | assurance of who it belongs to. Jewelry requires a |
| markings onto various end products, their own | | | | more delicate approach because of the value and |
| machinery for serial numbers, or even inventory uses | | | | professionalism that pertain. Technology to engrave |
| like bins and warehouse needs. Metal in those days | | | | on small delicate metal jewelry has been around for |
| was plentiful and abundant. I've seen this 'stamping' | | | | years and years. A common product is engraved |
| technique on bullets, car blocks, cast statues, jewelry. | | | | Zippo lighters. Ever since these have been around, |
| The metal of the penetrating edge must be harder | | | | people have been personalizing them for gifts or for |
| than the receiving metal. It is possible for soft metal | | | | themselves. |
| stamps or edges to be destroyed on impact to a | | | | New technologies in printing methodologies now exist, |
| harder metal. | | | | e.g. screen-printing. They offer alternative ways to |
| I remember as a teenager, out on my grandfathers | | | | personalize jewelry. When thinking about printing as |
| farm, engraving the words 'I was here' using a rock | | | | an alternative for personalized Zippos, I tend to think |
| on an old John Deere tractor. I took me much effort | | | | engraving is an old, conservative approach. Printing |
| to get this message displayed - not to mention that | | | | allows for so much more imagination and flexibility to |
| it looked like scribble and scratch marks from some | | | | designing the perfect gift for someone. Lines etched |
| animal with claws. Do you remember the metal | | | | in the metal casing of a Zippo lighter can now be |
| lunchboxes? Sure, mom could use masking tape with | | | | replaced with full-color printing limitless on imagination. |
| your name on it, but tape soon falls off. So my | | | | We should be moving forward through technology, |
| GI-Joe lunch box had my name engraved on it. | | | | and have forward thinking as a people in general. |
| It’s permanent and definitely identifies just | | | | |