Engraving FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Custom Bottle and Live Engraving

After sharing your most common engraving questions on Instagram, I wanted to create a full guide to help you learn more about the engraving process and what to expect when booking a project with JJ Paperie & Co.

Whether you’re planning a brand activation, gifting a personalized bottle, or simply curious about how live engraving works, this FAQ covers our most common questions! 

🪶 What Surfaces Can You Engrave On?

Engraving can be done on a variety of surfaces such as metal, glass, ceramic, and acrylic — and more! Each material engraves a bit differently, which is why I always recommend providing a sample piece if you’re unsure how a surface will take to engraving.

Glass and metal are the most popular for live engraving events and brand activations. 

⏱️ How Long Does Engraving Take?

On average, engraving takes about 1–2 minutes per piece, depending on the level of detail and complexity of the design.

During live events, I often suggest keeping engravings simple and elegant — think initials, short names, or meaningful words — so that every guest has a chance to receive a personalized item. This balance between quality and efficiency ensures each engraving feels special while maintaining a smooth event flow

🖊️ Is the Engraving Done by Hand or Machine?

All engraving at JJ Paperie & Co. is done by hand using a portable engraving tool that allows me to engrave directly onto the surface.

Each piece features my signature lettering style, which is why I don’t offer a range of pre-set fonts. This process gives each engraved item its own organic and one-of-a-kind charm that can’t be replicated by a machine.

🔋 Do You Need an Outlet for Engraving?

No outlet is needed! My engraving tools are fully portable allowing me to engrave anywhere with ease. They’re compact, quiet, and last the entire evening without needing to recharge — making them ideal for in-store activations, private events, and brand experiences where flexibility is key. Setup is also quick and can be done within 10 minutes! 

💌 Ready to Bring Engraving to Your Next Event or Product Launch?

Whether you’re looking to offer an interactive brand experience or want to gift something meaningful, engraving is the perfect way to personalize your story.

Learn more about all our on-site services here or live-engraving here!