Engraving has long been a way to communicate a message of endearment on a piece of jewelry or other personal item. Engraving on a bracelet or cuff is also a helpful way of identifying the wearer in the event of an emergency, illness, or even death. Engraving can also serve to decorate an award or trophy, and to signify the recipient of the award.

Engraving is first known to have been used more than two thousand years ago. Ancient gold rings and other jewelry have been found with markings and engravings of letters and other figures. Engraving became the first means of mass producing art and literature. Even as late as the early 20th century, newspapers and books were often printed by engraving. Today, engraving is still used to print currency.

Engraving entails cutting a design into a piece of metal, wood, glass, or other hard surface with the use of engraving tools, such as burins, gravers, liners, and other tools used for texturing effects. When metals are used for engraving, the burin is pushed or pounded along the surface of the metal to engrave the desired design. Some of the most popular objects for engraving are I.D. bracelets and wedding rings, on which dates or other sentimental thoughts are engraved. Trophies, medals, and awards are also used for engraving, but today, most engraving is done on a machine, rather than by hand.

Engraving in wood is usually done with a machine, but it can also be accomplished with heat sources, such as a hand-held wood-burner. These are often used for plaques and decorative wall items in homes. Glass engravings are sometimes done by hand, but more often with a laser. Glass engravings might decorate collectible items, mugs, dishes, barware, and servers.

Hand engraving is rare, but it still exists in a few fields: firearms, musical instruments, and jewelry. Laser engraving is usually done by a computer, which dictates the movements of the laser. Since this process does not involve hand tools that wear out, laser engraving is more efficient and often more precise than other methods. However, a hand engraving, while not always perfect, is more a piece of art than a laser engraving; it shows the personal touch of the artist and is more meaningful, flaws included.