Description
Engrave designs, lettering, and ornamentation by hand on metal, glass, jewelry, and other materials using gravers and hand-held tools. Prepare and finish surfaces, lay out and transfer artwork, cut and shade by hand, and inspect and finish pieces to meet specified depth, clarity, and aesthetic requirements.
- • Review sketches, specifications, or reference images to plan engraving approach.
- • Measure and lay out lettering, borders, and motifs to scale.
- • Transfer or sketch designs onto workpieces using layout fluid, scribe lines, or transfer films.
- • Position and secure workpieces in vises, pitch, or specialized fixtures.
- • Select, sharpen, and mount gravers, chisels, and burrs; maintain tool geometry.
- • Control depth and width of cuts by adjusting tool angle, hand pressure, and feed.
- • Hand-cut lines, shading, and textures along layout lines using gravers or hand-held power tools.
- • Relieve backgrounds and sculpt surfaces as designs require.
- • Inspect work under magnification for burrs, rough spots, uniformity, and completeness; correct defects.
- • Deburr, clean, and polish engraved areas to specified finish.
- • Apply ink, enamel, wax, or patinas to darken and highlight inscriptions; wipe excess.
- • Fill engraved characters to improve readability when specified.
- • Prepare surfaces by cutting, sanding, cleaning, and polishing before engraving.
- • Use microscopes, loupes, and gauges to verify dimensions and depth of cuts.
- • Produce proofs or test cuts on sample pieces and revise as needed.
- • Document job specifications and label and package finished pieces to prevent damage.
- • Use CAD or illustration software to create, scale, or mirror patterns for transfer.
- • Maintain a clean bench and keep tools sharpened and supplies stocked.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
