Most people choose initials, names, dates, or short messages. Depending on the piece, you can usually fit between 1 and 45 characters.

It varies by item:

• Small pendants (e.g., St. Christopher): around 1-20 characters.
  
• Bracelets and bangles: 1-45 characters depending on size.
  
• Giftware (e.g., silver boxes, keyrings): space allows for longer text or multiple lines.
  

Each product page on our website shows the maximum recommended number of characters for that specific piece.

When deciding what to engrave, remember that less is more. The longer the message, the smaller the letter height will become. Shorter engravings are usually clearer and more elegant. For example, on a child’s bangle, it may not be necessary to include a surname if the first name alone looks better.

Also consider the shape of the piece. On round items such as pendants or medals, the natural layout is shorter text at the top and bottom, with longer text across the centre.

Our engravers are highly experienced and always set the engraving out in the best way possible. If you are unsure, you can contact us before ordering for a mock-up of how the text will appear.

We offer a selection of classic engraving fonts, from elegant script to clear block styles. Popular choices are Roman, Helvetica, and Script. A font guide is available when ordering.

We machine engrave using the latest diamond-tip process or laser technology. This produces a crisp, consistent, and professional finish that is difficult to achieve with hand engraving. Our experienced engravers choose the best method for each item to ensure the highest quality result.

When engraving initials on products such as cufflinks, boxes, or keyrings, a balanced layout is important. For the neatest look, it is usually best to:

• Avoid using full stops, or
  
• Use full stops after each initial except the last one.
  

This keeps the engraving centred and even. Upright fonts such as Roman are often better suited for initials than script fonts, as they are more symmetrical.

Take time to think about how the engraving will feel in the long term. For example, engraving “Happy Christmas” on a bracelet may feel less appropriate if it is worn throughout the year. In many cases, a name, date, or short message is more versatile and suitable for daily wear.

We can engrave simple symbols such as hearts. Complex images and emojis are usually not possible without prior discussion.

Engraving is carried out in our workshop. Standard orders usually require an extra 1-2 working days.

If you need your order urgently, we can usually engrave and dispatch for next working day delivery if the order is placed before 1pm and you select the Next Day Delivery option at checkout.

Some companies advertise “free engraving”, but the cost is usually hidden in the product price. We prefer to be transparent. Many of our customers choose not to engrave their purchase, so we keep our product prices competitive and only charge for engraving when it is required.

Engraving is a skilled and time-consuming process. At Hersey & Son we charge £5.00 plus 30p per character. This allows us to take the time needed to set out and engrave each piece properly.

Our engraving is also better quality than most others. We fill each character, which gives a sharper and longer-lasting result — something many other engravers do not do. This way, you receive excellent value both on the silver item itself and on the engraving.

Because engraved items are personalised, they cannot usually be returned unless faulty. We advise double-checking spelling, dates, and capitalisation before confirming your order.

Our advice is generally not to engrave both front and back. There are two main reasons:

• The hallmark is often on the reverse and must remain visible.
  
• Turning an item over to engrave the second side can cause the first side to become scratched.
  

For these reasons, we recommend engraving on one side only. If you need more space for your message, please contact us for suggestions of suitable products with larger engraving areas.

We can engrave company logos, crests, or handwriting samples on request. These are priced individually - please contact us to discuss your design.

Engraved silver should be cleaned gently with a silver polishing cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, as they can wear away detail over time.

We never engrave over hallmarks. Hallmarking is a legal requirement on silver items above the minimum weight threshold (currently 7.78g for sterling silver). When an item carries a hallmark, we always engrave away from it to ensure it remains visible.