Engraving Awards: Laser Engraving vs Sand Etching

A great employee deserves an award that looks sharp and lasts. Glass and crystal awards do both, and you can mark them two ways: laser engraving (etching) or sand (deep) etching with the message or logo of your choice. Here's how the two methods differ, so you can pick the right one for your recognition awards.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving uses a laser to mark the surface of an award. It's how we decorate acrylic awards, and it also works on glass, leather, marble, metal, plastic, and stone. The mark goes on fast and stays clean, crisp, and permanent. Run your finger over it and you can barely feel any depth. Because a laser can place more than 1,000 dots per inch, it's the better choice for photos, fine graphics, and detailed logos.

Pros and Cons of Laser Engraving

  1. Precision and detail: The laser holds fine detail well, so tiny text and intricate patterns come out clean.
  2. Speed: Laser engraving runs quickly, which helps on large batches and tight deadlines.
  3. Shallow mark: The etch is shallow, so you won't get the deep, textured feel that sand etching gives.
  4. Best for flat detail: It shines on photos and logos more than on heavy, tactile cuts.

Sand Etching

Sand etching, also called sandblasting, starts with a mask (stencil) cut from your message. We apply that stencil to the crystal, glass, onyx, marble, or wood. Compressed air pushes sand through the open lines and blasts the exposed surface. That wears the surface down and leaves a frosted mark with real depth you can feel. You can use deep etching for logos, designs, and photos too. It takes a skilled hand: cut too far and you can blast right through the glass.

Pros and Cons of Sand Etching

  1. Depth and texture: The cut goes deep, so the mark has a bold, frosted feel you'll notice the moment you pick it up.
  2. Great on glass and crystal: This method was made for these materials and gives them a high-end look.
  3. Slower and hands-on: It takes more skill and manual work, so it runs slower than laser engraving.
  4. Less fine detail: Very small text and tight patterns are harder to hold than with a laser.

Awards.com includes free engraving and personalization on every award, trophy, and plaque we sell, plus free logo and setup. There's no extra charge either way. Whether you're honoring a standout employee or handing out years-of-service awards, you'll get a piece that still looks great decades from now.

When you're ready to order employee awards, trophies, and plaques, Awards.com has plenty to choose from. Questions? Call us at 1-800-429-2737.