Choosing a photo that engraves well
The photo decides the result far more than the crystal does. Here is what works, what does not, and what we can fix.
What engraves beautifully
- Faces that fill the frame. If you have to squint at the photo on your phone, the crystal will not rescue it.
- Even, soft light. Outdoor shade, a window, an overcast day. Direct midday sun creates hard shadows that engrave as black holes.
- Sharp focus on the eyes. Engraving is unforgiving about focus.
- A simple background. Busy backgrounds compete with the subject. We can remove a background entirely if you would rather the face floated on its own.
- Higher resolution. Anything from a modern phone is usually plenty. Photos saved from social media are often compressed and lose detail.
What causes problems
- Screenshots. They lose most of the original detail.
- Very dark photos. Engraving builds the image out of light points, so heavy shadow has nothing to work with.
- Heavy filters. Strong contrast filters flatten skin tones.
- Photos of photos. A phone snap of a printed photo carries glare and moire. A flatbed scan is far better; bring the original in and we will help.
- Subjects too small in the frame. Cropping in on a distant subject enlarges the blur along with the face.
Old, damaged or faded photographs
Bring it in. A creased print from the 1960s often engraves better than people expect, because the crystal renders tone rather than colour. We will scan it, look at it properly, and tell you honestly whether it is worth doing before you spend anything.
Matching the photo to the shape
A portrait crops badly into a wide block, and a row of six people crops badly into a tall one. If the composition and the shape disagree, the shape should change, not the photo. The shape guide is here, or just send us the picture.
Send it to us first
Email the photo to heenanc11@outlook.com or bring it into Shop K33 on your phone. We will tell you what it will look like before you order, not after.
Photo questions
What photos work best for crystal engraving?
Clear, well-lit, high-resolution photos with a distinct subject. Portraits, couples, pets and group shots all work. Faces should be in focus and large enough in the frame, and even lighting engraves better than harsh sunlight.
Can you use a photo from my phone?
Yes. Most of what we engrave comes straight off a phone. Send the original file rather than a screenshot or a version saved from social media, because those are compressed.
Can you remove the background from my photo?
Yes. We can engrave the subject on its own so the face appears to float inside the crystal, or keep the background if it is part of the memory.
Can you engrave an old or damaged photograph?
Often, yes. Bring the original into the studio and we will scan it and look at it properly. We will tell you honestly whether it will engrave well before you commit.
Can you put two photos in one crystal?
Depending on the shape and size, sometimes. Ask us with the specific photos in front of us and we will tell you whether it will look considered or crowded.
Ready to turn your photo into crystal?
Send us the photo and we will tell you honestly which shape suits it. Or come to the studio at Werribee Plaza and hold one first.
