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Granite Etching Course Guide
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved
The information contained here is copyrighted and may not be re-transcribed or resold in any way without the express written consent of the artist/author.
All rights reserved under penalty of law.
All rights reserved under penalty of law.
I have been etching on granite since 2004 and it has been some of the most satisfying work I have ever created. Most of my etchings are for granite monuments and I consider it an honor to be asked to create art as a memorial to someones life and I take that responsibility very serious.
Much to my surprise it only took me 2-3 weeks of practice to become comfortable enough to etch on an actual granite headstone for a real customer who requested a custom beach etching and I have to say, that first etching was a nerve wracking experience. But, I still managed to make about $70 per hour going very slow!
I would strongly suggest that you visit a few cemeteries in your area and get a feel for what's popular as far as scenic etchings for your part of the country or your part of the world. I have taught many students from different countries.
Take photos of the works you admire and strive to reach that quality in your own etchings. Also, you'll notice that there are just as many etch artist that are just not as talented, but remember, they're also being paid big money to etch too.
So even if you feel you don't have enough talent as other etch artists...don't let that discourage you from trying! You'll be pleasantly surprised by how many people will pay big money for you to start etching on granite for them.
Practice
You should start practicing right away. Go to the nearest granite dealer and ask if they have any spare or broken pieces of polished granite to practice on and explain what you want it for. More than likely they'll be very interested in seeing your work when you're finished which will probably lead to some paying jobs. Etch artists are hard to find.
If you're a little shy about approaching a granite dealer than go to a Home Depot type store and purchase a few pieces of polished granite tile squares and practice on those. Remember, they have to be polished granite.
Much to my surprise it only took me 2-3 weeks of practice to become comfortable enough to etch on an actual granite headstone for a real customer who requested a custom beach etching and I have to say, that first etching was a nerve wracking experience. But, I still managed to make about $70 per hour going very slow!
I would strongly suggest that you visit a few cemeteries in your area and get a feel for what's popular as far as scenic etchings for your part of the country or your part of the world. I have taught many students from different countries.
Take photos of the works you admire and strive to reach that quality in your own etchings. Also, you'll notice that there are just as many etch artist that are just not as talented, but remember, they're also being paid big money to etch too.
So even if you feel you don't have enough talent as other etch artists...don't let that discourage you from trying! You'll be pleasantly surprised by how many people will pay big money for you to start etching on granite for them.
Practice
You should start practicing right away. Go to the nearest granite dealer and ask if they have any spare or broken pieces of polished granite to practice on and explain what you want it for. More than likely they'll be very interested in seeing your work when you're finished which will probably lead to some paying jobs. Etch artists are hard to find.
If you're a little shy about approaching a granite dealer than go to a Home Depot type store and purchase a few pieces of polished granite tile squares and practice on those. Remember, they have to be polished granite.
Tools
You're going to need an etching or engraving tool to practice with. I use three different tools to etch with and one of them is my main etching tool, the one that I use to do the bulk of my etching with is reviewed here.
The battery operated micro engraver tool is the most economical way to get started practicing as it is a very inexpensive tool with a diamond tip and comes with batteries included. It's a great way to test out the niche! Check out the micro engraver tool here.
The other two aren't as powerful and are in the hobby class of etchers and engravers but are still very useful to have around.
Here are a few more invaluable tools that I use on a regular basis for etching/engraving:
etcher/engraver tool
white marking pencil
white transfer paper
metal T-square 24"
metal triangle
extension cord
tool box
file box for my drawings and reference photos
You're going to need an etching or engraving tool to practice with. I use three different tools to etch with and one of them is my main etching tool, the one that I use to do the bulk of my etching with is reviewed here.
The battery operated micro engraver tool is the most economical way to get started practicing as it is a very inexpensive tool with a diamond tip and comes with batteries included. It's a great way to test out the niche! Check out the micro engraver tool here.
The other two aren't as powerful and are in the hobby class of etchers and engravers but are still very useful to have around.
Here are a few more invaluable tools that I use on a regular basis for etching/engraving:
etcher/engraver tool
white marking pencil
white transfer paper
metal T-square 24"
metal triangle
extension cord
tool box
file box for my drawings and reference photos
Technique
To etch or engrave the granite surface you only need to "scratch" off the polish to create your art. There's really no reason to go much deeper than that. The etch tool that I use ships with four tips. Use the thickest one , which is a diamond point, for etching the granite.
I encourage you to buy extra diamond points in case one breaks, you'll always have backups available. You don't want to get stuck in the middle of an etching job without extra diamond tips available.
Before plugging in your etching/engraving tool read the manual. If your using the tool that I use, the Electro Stylus, then your going to have to replace the tip before starting. It ships with four tips but the diamond tip is usually not installed.
Loosen the screw on the side being careful not to remove the screw. Loosen just enough to remove the tip and replace it with the diamond point.
Turn on the etching tool and play with the lock nut and fine tune adjustment srew. Also switch back and forth on the line switch, one is fast and one is slower speed.
Practice using different settings on a scrap piece of granite until you get the feel of the tool.
To etch or engrave the granite surface you only need to "scratch" off the polish to create your art. There's really no reason to go much deeper than that. The etch tool that I use ships with four tips. Use the thickest one , which is a diamond point, for etching the granite.
I encourage you to buy extra diamond points in case one breaks, you'll always have backups available. You don't want to get stuck in the middle of an etching job without extra diamond tips available.
Before plugging in your etching/engraving tool read the manual. If your using the tool that I use, the Electro Stylus, then your going to have to replace the tip before starting. It ships with four tips but the diamond tip is usually not installed.
Loosen the screw on the side being careful not to remove the screw. Loosen just enough to remove the tip and replace it with the diamond point.
Turn on the etching tool and play with the lock nut and fine tune adjustment srew. Also switch back and forth on the line switch, one is fast and one is slower speed.
Practice using different settings on a scrap piece of granite until you get the feel of the tool.
My eBook will help you get started on the right foot!
Check It Out HERE
Creating Art For Granite Etching and Engraving
Many times the granite company you're working with will provide a sketch or stock image for you to use as a guide for etching it onto the granite surface but these are usually for position only. You're going to need to clean up these drawings or rough sketches. This time should be factored into the price.
I never discard a sketch or drawing after I have etched it as I have found that future customers, when given a visual choice of samples, will pick the same images I have already etched. Many times I will cut and tape and resize with a photocopy machine. You don't have to keep drawing and sketching the same scenes and your profit margin goes up.
i have a collection of my drawings on CD. You may find yourself using many of the same subjects. You can resize the drawings to fit any shape or size piece of granite. These drawings have literally made me thousands of dollars. Feel free to use my drawings...CHECK THEM OUT HERE
Many times the granite company you're working with will provide a sketch or stock image for you to use as a guide for etching it onto the granite surface but these are usually for position only. You're going to need to clean up these drawings or rough sketches. This time should be factored into the price.
I never discard a sketch or drawing after I have etched it as I have found that future customers, when given a visual choice of samples, will pick the same images I have already etched. Many times I will cut and tape and resize with a photocopy machine. You don't have to keep drawing and sketching the same scenes and your profit margin goes up.
i have a collection of my drawings on CD. You may find yourself using many of the same subjects. You can resize the drawings to fit any shape or size piece of granite. These drawings have literally made me thousands of dollars. Feel free to use my drawings...CHECK THEM OUT HERE