Stones with a flat surface, such as river rocks, work best for beginners. [1] X Research source Softer sedimentary rocks (such as sandstone, limestone and soapstone) are easier to drill into. Keep your eyes open for stones when you’re outside at the beach, in your garden, etc, or purchase engraving stones from your local arts and crafts store.
Look for an electric engraver or rotary tool that allows you to change out the tip. A carbide tip is appropriate for engraving softer stones like sandstone, limestone or soapstone. A diamond tip is best for engraving harder stones or glass. Engraving tips come in various shapes and widths. For a basic design, the standard carbide tip that comes with your tool will be enough. Over time, you can add to the complexity of your designs by using a cone tip to create detail lines and a cylindrical shaped tip for shading and dimension. Electric engravers or rotary tools can be found at your local hardware store, craft store or online.
Wax-based pencils, china markers or permanent markers can be used to draw your design directly onto the stone. You can make an easy stencil using cardboard or acetate and a craft knife. Beeswax and latex paint are optional design supplies that can be used to add color and shine to your stone.
Create your own unique design or write out a word you want to engrave. Look for stencil designs online that you can print and cut out. Create a design on your computer. Draw an image or write a word in a font you like. Size the design to fit your stone and print it onto black and white paper.
Practice drawing your design on a piece of paper before sketching it directly onto your stone. Make a stencil. If you printed out a picture to use, lay a piece of tracing paper on top and go over it with a pencil. Tape the traced outline onto your cardboard or acetate and cut out the design with your craft knife.
Use the engraving tool to create straight lines across the stone, moving in different directions. Vary the pressure you use to draw lines. Draw lines using light, feathered strokes. Go back and draw lines using more pressure. Notice the differences in the look of the lines. Draw circles or other shapes in the stone. If you’re writing a word on your stone, practice making the various letters.
Use a soft toothbrush and a little soap if needed. You can use a dental pick to remove harder crustier dirt. But do not scratch too much with it because it also has reinforced steel.
Use a wax-based pencil to draw your design if the stone is rough or porous. Use a china marker or permanent marker to draw on stones with a smooth, glassy surface. [5] X Research source Position your stencil where you want it on the stone. Secure the stencil with tape so it doesn’t move while you’re engraving your design.
If the stone is flat and won’t roll or slip, simply place it on a flat surface. Placing a piece of non-slip shelf liner under your stone will help ensure it doesn’t slide. If the stone isn’t flat on the bottom you can secure it using a desk vise or clamp, which can be found at your local hardware store. [6] X Research source [7] X Research source
Start by going over the primary lines in the design. Roughly scratch out a shallow groove to create an outline of the design. Continue to trace over the lines of your design with the engraving tool. Rather than pressing hard to carve out your design, go over the lines repeatedly using a light-hand. Periodically dip the rock into the bowl of water to cool it off. This will also help clean debris out of the grooves of your design so you can better see what you’re doing. Continue to etch out the lines of your design until they are the depth you’d like for them to be. Add shading or other details to your design. Engrave lighter lines, going in the same direction of the primary lines of your design, to create shading.
If you want your stone to really shine, use beeswax and a rag to buff and polish it. This will help your design stand out and give the rock an extra gleam. If you want to give your design some color, use latex paint to fill in the grooves. Black paint on a light-colored stone or white paint on a darker stone can really make your design pop.
Larger stones can be used to make unique stepping-stones for a garden. Heavy stones can be used to make door stoppers or bookends. Small pebbles engraved with inspirational words or special dates make great gifts.
