Questions

Gem Mint Engraving is a family-run engraving studio in South Wales. We started as collectors and hobbyists, and set up to make quality engraving easier and more affordable for everyone: a binder for your collection, a photo in crystal, or a one-off gift. Every piece is made by hand, to order.

Design it in one of our online designers, or send us your idea. We reply with a design consultation: what we'll make and the price, including postage. You only pay once you've accepted it.

Every piece is made by hand to order, so timings depend on the design. Orders are worked on in the order they're accepted, and we keep you updated at every step: you can follow your order in your account, and if anything will take longer than expected, we'll tell you straight away.

Every piece is different, so we price each one in your design consultation. The price includes postage, and nothing is added later.

No. Everything is engraved by laser: into the binder cover, burned into wood, marked on slate, or engraved inside the glass. It won't peel, fade or rub off.

We go straight to the factory for the same style of binder the big brands sell, minus their logo. That leaves a blank canvas for your idea.

We chose xTool, one of the world's leading makers of laser machines, for the precision and finish our pieces need. We use the right machine for each job:

• Crystals and glass: xTool F2 Ultra UV. An industrial-grade UV laser with a beam finer than a hair. It engraves inside the crystal without heat, so the surface is never marked or scorched.
• Binders, wood and slate: xTool S1. A fully enclosed machine with two lasers: a powerful 20 W laser and an ultra-fine infrared laser. We pick the one that suits each material best, with automatic focusing and precise positioning for crisp, accurate results.

Great machines are only half of it: every design is set up and checked by hand before it's engraved.

Send what you have: we'll do everything we can to make your photo work. The original photo from your phone works better than a screenshot or a copy from WhatsApp or social media. In focus, in daylight, with the whole subject in the frame is ideal.

If a photo really won't engrave well, we'll tell you in your design consultation, before you pay anything.

• 2D: a flat picture inside the glass, like an engraving on wood or slate, but floating in crystal. Great for line art, text and logos.
• 2.5D: your photo given a little depth, like a raised relief. It's best viewed from the front, and suits photos of people, pets and flat objects.
• 3D: a full figure you can walk around and see from every side, made from a 3D model (we can make the model from your photos).

Yes, until we start making it: email us for a full refund. Once it's being made it's personalised for you, so we can't take it back unless it's faulty. Full details in our terms & returns.

Spotted a mistake, or want to change something? Get in touch as soon as possible. The earlier we know, the easier it is to put right.

Every piece is checked and carefully packed before it's posted. Just in case:

• Film yourself opening the parcel. If anything is damaged, the video shows exactly how it arrived.
• Keep the packaging and tell us as soon as you can, ideally within 7 days, with photos of the item and the box.

That evidence lets us claim from Royal Mail quickly, so we can remake your order or refund you without delay. Lost parcels are traced with Royal Mail first, then remade or refunded. Your legal rights aren't affected: see faulty or damaged items.

Yes. Tick "It's a gift" when you send your enquiry or design, so we can include gift packaging in your price (it's a small extra cost).

When we ask for the delivery address, choose "Send it as a gift" and add their name and address, plus a message for the card if you'd like one (up to 300 characters). We still ask for your own address too, just in case there's a problem.

• We post it straight to them, with no prices or receipt in the parcel.
• All updates and the tracking number come to you, so the surprise is safe. We never contact the person receiving it.

Not at the moment: UK addresses only, by Royal Mail tracked post.

No, but a free account lets you save designs, accept your design consultation online, follow your order and collect loyalty stamps.

• Email: hello@GemMintEngraving.co.uk
• The enquiry form on our homepage
• Instagram: @GemMintEngraving
• TikTok: @GemMintEngraving

Follow us for new work and behind-the-scenes clips from the workshop.