Photo guides
How do I photograph handwriting for jewellery?
Short answer
Photograph the card or letter where it is: flat, square-on and in daylight, with the words you want filling the frame. We engrave the handwriting as it was written, so the photo only needs to be sharp enough to follow every line.
Choosing the words
A ring face has room for a few words. A name and a sign-off often say enough: “love you always, Dad x”. The Crest has the most room, then the Cartouche.
Taking the photo
- Lay the paper flat near a window, out of direct sun.
- Hold the phone straight above it, so the words aren’t skewed.
- Fill the frame with the words you want, and tap to focus on the ink.
- Turn the flash off. It makes a glare on glossy cards.
Faded, small or on coloured paper
Send it anyway. If the lines are too faint to engrave well, we’ll tell you before anything is made.
What we do with it
We keep your original untouched. A person checks it and sends you a proof. Nothing is engraved until you say yes.
Ready when you are. Nothing is engraved until you’ve seen a proof and said yes.
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Updated 29 September 2026