Inside the Engraving Process at Lonoke Designs

(How we personalize your piece, what to expect, and how to submit your artwork)

When you choose a custom engraving from Lonoke Designs, you’re not just adding text or a logo, you’re asking us to help tell a personal story. Every engraving passes through our Fort Worth workshop, handled directly by the same hands that build the product itself. That’s intentional. We believe personalization should be just as thoughtful, durable, and well-crafted as the piece it’s applied to.

Below is an inside look at how we engrave, what you can expect from the process, and how to submit your artwork.

How We Engrave - A Look Behind the Scenes

Every engraving begins before the final finish is applied. Once a tray, wrist rest, wallet, or journal cover is milled or stitched and sanded smooth, we bring it to the laser.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Engraving Happens Before Finishing

We engrave while the wood or leather is still raw. Once the engraving is complete, we apply our final protective finish and hand-sand everything to a smooth satin sheen.
This ensures your engraving lasts, sealed directly into the finished surface with the same durability as the product itself.

2. Text Requests Are Entered Directly on the Product Page

If you’re adding simple text (names, initials, dates, short phrases), you can request it right on the listing page, before checkout. We size, balance, and style the text for the cleanest and clearest result.

3. Custom Artwork Goes Through Our Request Form

For logos or artwork, you can upload your file through our Custom Engraving Request page.

• .SVG files are preferred, but we also accept, .PNG, .PDF, and .JPEG up to 20MB.

If your file isn’t already vector, we’ll convert it to a crisp black-and-white engraving format and retain as much detail as possible.

4. Mockups & Approval

For anything beyond simple text, we’ll send a digital proof before engraving.
Text-only orders usually don’t require a mockup unless placement is unclear.

5. Fast Turnaround

Because engraving is integrated into our production process, standard text engraving doesn’t add any extra lead time. During busy seasons, it may add a day or two, depending on speed of approval. Custom artwork can additional time, depending on communication speed and approval.

What You Can Expect as a Customer

Whether you’re ordering a personalized gift or upgrading your own workspace, we keep the process transparent and smooth.

• Engraving is done in-house by us in our Fort Worth workshop
• No major delay, engraving is part of the normal production flow
• A proof/mockup is sent for custom artwork (logos, symbols, signatures)
• Text-only engravings are done directly unless clarification is needed
• We engrave all hardwood and leather items we make
• Clear placement guidance thanks to the engraving diagrams included on each product page
• Your final product is sealed and hand-finished after engraving for maximum longevity

Every personalized piece gets the same attention to detail as if we were gifting it ourselves.

How to Submit Your Engraving

There are two simple options depending on your needs:

Option 1: Add Text on the Product Page

1. Enter your text directly on our product page, before adding to cart. Just follow the instructions on the individual product page.
2. We handle sizing, alignment, spacing, and style
3. Great for initials, dates, coordinates, short messages, etc.

Option 2: Submit Custom Artwork

1. Visit our Custom Engraving Request page
2. Upload your SVG/PNG/PDF/JPEG (up to 20MB)
3. Approve your engraving proof
4. We engrave during production
5. Your finished piece ships shortly after

If you have questions, you can visit our Engraving Details page or Engraving FAQ page, as well as email us. We prefer custom artwork be uploaded through the Custom Engraving Request form, then we can contact you after reviewing your submission.

Why In-House Engraving Matters to Us

Lonoke Designs isn’t a factory. Every product is made to order, one piece at a time, by two people who genuinely care about the outcome.

I have a long history with engraving before opening Lonoke Designs. I worked at a shop that sold products with custom engraving for years. I personally engraved thousands of pieces for customers. That background shaped a part of what Lonoke Designs is today, a shop where personalization isn’t an afterthought, but a craft in itself.

We love seeing how customers light up when they gift something truly personal. It never gets old.

Ready to Personalize Your Piece?

Whether it’s a name on a wrist rest, a company logo on a tray, or a message on a wallet, we’d be honored to engrave it for you.

Your story deserves to be engraved with care and we’re proud to do that right here in Fort Worth, Texas.