Hand Engraving at Luxury Corporate Events and Activations: The Art of Making a Statement
There is something undeniably luxurious and special about hand engraving. It's a skill that has been around for centuries and one that still manages to capture our attention today.
Hand engraving is the perfect way to make a statement at a luxury corporate event or activation. Whether you're looking to add a bit of elegance and sophistication or want to create an unforgettable experience for your guests, hand engraving is sure to impress. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the art of hand engraving and explore some of the benefits it can bring to your next live event.
Hand engraving at luxury events
Hand engraving is a process that involves using a small, handheld tool to engrave beautiful hand-lettered names or messages to glass. The design can be anything from simple initials or monograms to more complex wording with flourishes. I use a small portable engraving drill and light, with no power supply required, so that I can provide a fully mobile luxury experience for my engraving customers. I try and make the event as straightforward and relaxed as possible for my clients. I come fully prepared with back up drill, plenty of supplies together with alternative methods of customising in case the brief changes.
Using my skills as a professional and experienced calligrapher, I love to bring the same beautiful personalisation to permanent items as I do for my work with ink and paper.
Bespoke engraved gifts
I always enjoy engaging with customers at activations and ensuring their personalised design becomes a product to treasure forever. It is important to me that each customer feels they have had a unique, personal experience as well as the added value of taking away their beautifully engraved product.
In-store brand activations
Engraved perfume bottles are a particular favourite of mine. I have engraved at the perfume launch of the delicious Eau de Soir by Sisley Paris in Selfridges, London over twelve dates. I was thrilled to be asked by The House of Dior to provide on site engraving in their Boutique on New Bond Street, London. I had a wonderful ten afternoons providing live engraving of the Dior Collection Privée Eau du Parfum and other fragrances.
The finished engraved perfume bottles were beautiful. They made really special intimate gifts for a loved one. It was interesting that customers who had seen laser engraving previously very much valued and appreciated the bespoke nature of hand engraving. I returned to work with the Dior fragrance team to engrave perfume bottles instore at their London boutique for Valentine’s Day live events.
Live engraving and calligraphy at Wedding receptions
Lately, I have had more enquiries for live on site wedding engraving. I was thrilled this week to attend a wedding reception at Somerley House in Dorset, where I live engraved and calligraphied wooden fans as wedding favours for the guests. Brides and planners are coming to me with brilliantly inventive ideas for live events and I am always happy to test products at no charge so that the result is the best for everyone.
On-site engraving at restaurant and product launches
Later this month I’m excited to be working with the team from Lucia Restaurants at their Leeds restaurant launch, hand engraving glasses.
Personalised engraved gifts / Luxury corporate gifts
As well as in-store brand activations, I love working on that special commission for engraved luxury items as corporate gifts. Engraved bottles of gin make an excellent personalised gift like the bottles I was asked to engrave for Priory Vets group of practices. I was provided with stunning old fashioned empty gin bottles which I then worked on from my home calligraphy and engraving studio. Having established the sort of style desired by the client, I provided them with a small selection of designs with different wording layouts, incorporating a few Christmas motifs into the bespoke design. The engraved gifts were then lovingly wrapped and despatched...
Personalised Champagne bottles
While it's not possible to hand engrave bottles of sparkling wine as they're already under a lot of pressure and could (and do) explode, it is very possible to hand paint them with your chosen message or name. Floral painting is a service I am offering in the future. Meanwhile, using metallic paint pens on pressurised bottles is a fantastic way of personalising them. Beautiful adornment and keeping everyone safe! Of course, you can also just wait until the bottle is empty to engrave it! That special bottle of fizz used to celebrate an engagement, christening or other exciting announcement makes a wonderful engraved memory.
Finishing touches
For engraved wine bottles, engraved spirits bottles and engraved perfume bottles I always offer to fill in the engraving with metallic infill in a gold or silver depending on personal choice. It really makes the engraving ‘pop’ and stand out.
Hand engraving is the perfect way to add a personal touch to your event or activation. It's a great way to make your guests feel special and appreciated. And it's a wonderful and thoughtful way to create lasting memories. Hand engraving is sure to impress your customers if you are looking for a unique and luxurious addition to your next live event.
I’d love to hear from you if you are considering having hand engraving at your next event or in-store activation. I am based in London but frequently travel across the UK and internationally for clients, so please do get in touch if I can help you with your special event.
Engraved bottles for product launch for drinks company
Personalised engraved candles at a TikTok event in London
Bespoke engraving: Dior Fragrance Bottle Valentines Day events at The House of Dior, New Bond Street, London
Personal Engraved Perfume bottles for Jo Malone London
Personalised message on engraved wine bottles
Engraved leather luggage tags
Engraved whiskey bottle at live engraving event in London