Which engraving solutions for express engraving?
Enable on-demand personalisation directly in-store with express engraving machines without compromising quality.
Whether engraving trophy plates, stamp creation, personalising medals, or professional signage, express engravers face one consistent challenge: producing flawless results under tight deadlines while maintaining profitability.
Gravotech's solutions address those challenges with compact laser engravers and small engraving machines designed specifically for express engravers, who own several other machines (for making keys, etc.) and do not have much space. Combined with software, versatile materials, and tools engineered for quick setup, these solutions enable engravers to handle diverse custom engraving requests efficiently. From plate engraving to stamp creation, the technology adapts to commercial demands without sacrificing quality.
Which machines for express engraving services?
Express laser technology enables rapid and high-contrast marking on plastics and anodised aluminium, without contact or complex fixation. It offers an intuitive solution, ideal for sales environments where responsiveness is essential.
Mechanical engraving is the go-to solution for quickly personalising plates, badges, or tags with a clean and durable result. Our rotary engravers combine ease of use and precision, perfectly suited for retail environments and rapid personalisation workshops.
Small and custom engraving machine for all purposes, from perfume bottle to small industrial signage.
M20 X
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Medium multi-purpose rotary engraving machine for signage and gifts.
M40
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Medium CNC engraving machine for flat and cylinder engraving on metal and plastic.
IS400 – IS400 Volume
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To ensure a clean result from the first engraving, Gravotech offers materials specifically developed for mechanical and laser engraving.
- Mechanical engraving materials: bi-layer plates ensuring immediate contrast for badges, door plates, and professional signage.
- Laser engraving materials: laserable plastics optimised for precise and uniform markings on identification plates and personalised tags.
Flexibility and performance for indoor and outdoor applications
Gravoply™ Laser
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Engrave and cut quickly with precision
Gravoply™ 2
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The outdoor acrylic material for upscale architectural signage
Gravoglas™ 1
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Laser material for a high-end metallic finish
Gravolase™ Metallics
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A robust material specifically for mechanical engraving
Gravoply™ 1
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Metallic appearance for a high-end finish
Metallex™
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The versatile outdoor acrylic material
Gravoglas™ 2-plex™ Surface
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The reverse outdoor acrylic material
Gravoglas™ 2-plex™ Subsurface
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The outdoor laserable Braille material
Gravotac™ Exterior
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Which type of express engraver fits your needs?
| Technology | Machines | Applications | Materials | Advantages | Limits | Equipment price |
| Laser machine |
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| Requires fume extraction | $$ |
| Rotary machine |
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| Dust generation (requires a chip collector to keep the work area clean) | $-$$ |
How to select the right express engraving machine?
As an express engraver you need to consider the following points before choosing a custom engraving and cutting machine:
- Versatility: your engraving machine needs to be compatible with as many items and engraving materials as possible, ranging from plastic to leather, glass to jewellery.
- Compacity and noise level: express engraving shops are typically small and lack a separate workshop, meaning that customers are often in close proximity to the machines. In these cases, M20 X is the best solution as it is the most compact machine on the market for plate engraving & cutting.
- Engraving speed and ease of setup: you need an engraving machine capable of swiftly transitioning from engraving individual items to creating mailbox plates from engraving materials.
Which personalisation applications are compatible with express engraving workflows?
Medals and keyrings
Add a custom engraving to medals, keyrings, and pet tags to boost profits.
Offering unique personalised engraving can generate a gross margin approximately 10 times the item's value. Your small engraving machine quickly pays for itself, while fostering a strong emotional connection with your customers.
Discover our wide range of blank medals, pet tags and keyrings in our online consumables catalog.
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Trophy plate engraving
Create and personalise trophy plates, and help your customers celebrating their achievements.
From thin labels with adhesive backs to genuine metal plates, we offer a wide range of engraving materials at a reasonable cost to craft custom trophy plates.
Labels and plate engraving can usually generates a profit equivalent to 10 times production costs.
Explore our engraving materials in our online consumables catalog.
See our engraving materials
Gift custom engraving
Provide your customers with the perfect opportunity to assert their identity or express their sentiments through a gift custom engraving, and generate a turnover 10 times greater than the object's initial value.
Offer personalised engravings on small items such as pens, USB keys, thermoses, mugs, picture frames, card holders, padlocks, knives, and more.
Our engraving machines and compact laser engravers are compatible with all materials, sises, and shapes.
Want to learn more about gift engraving?
Which professional applications align with express engraving?
Small signage and tags
Create and engrave small indoor and outdoor signage for individuals:
- Mailbox plates
- House plates
- Door plates
- Electrical signage
- Name badges…
Choose within a wide range of indoor and outdoor engraving materials in plastic, anodised aluminium, stainless steel and brass to suit all needs and finishes effects. If you are looking for a premium look, you may opt for metallic-effect plastics, making it possible to produce premium signs at a reduced price and without the inconvenience of machining real metal.
Add colour or enhance contrast to your sign and plate engravings with our paints, waxes and oxydising agents.
Professional plate engraving
Offer your services to create professional plates for doctors, notaries or any liberal profession practice.
Provide an authentic and traditional finish with rotary engraving technology, or offer a modern effect with intricate designs thanks to laser technology.
When using our Gravobrass™ Exterior metallic material, you can generate a profit 5 times the material purchase price.
When engraving professional metal plates, be sure to use Gravolaque to add colour to your engravings!
Our solutions allow to create metallic signage with a high added value, where competition is less fierce as other solutions on the market are complicated to use.
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Ink stamps
Expand your professional clientele by offering personalised rubber stamp creation.
Laser technology stands out as the optimal method for producing high-quality rubber engravings. Its precision enables the creation of intricate and delicate lettering, which is essential for certain stamp designs.
Rubbalase™, our natural rubber material, ensures a reduced smell when processed and provide high-quality ink stamps.
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| FAQ: The 2 questions most frequently asked of our experts |
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🔽Where can express engravers find reliable materials for daily production?
To meet on-demand requests, an express engraver should have a variety of versatile material sheets from professionals. We recommend Gravotech's materials such as:
- Bi-layer plastics like Gravoply™ 2 for indoor signs;
- Gravobrass Exterior for professional plates;
- Rubbalase™ for stamps.
Additionally, keeping a range of ready-to-engrave items, such as anodised aluminium pet tags, stainless steel key rings, and adhesive plate engraving blanks, ensures you can fulfill quick orders within minutes.
🔽What is the best machine for an express engraver workshop?
The M20 X is widely considered the best small engraving machine for this market. It is the most compact rotary system available, capable of both plate engraving and cutting in a small retail space.
For high efficiency, the LS100 is the ultimate compact laser engraver for cutting and engraving.
