Portrait Engraving on Your Own Slab — Provided-Material Service
Already have a granite slab? Bring it to us and we’ll transfer a portrait of your loved one onto it with a diamond needle. You pay for the craftsmanship only, not the stone.
Description
In brief: portrait engraving on a slab you bring yourself | technique: diamond engraving, hand-finished | 6 sizes: 12×9, 15×13, 21×16, 25×18, 30×20, 35×25 cm | price covers the service only, not the stone | 7–10 working days from delivery of the slab.
Portrait engraving on your own slab – what it actually means
Maybe you already own a granite slab — left over from an earlier order, bought separately from a local stonemason, or part of an old headstone you want to refresh with a portrait. You don't need to buy new stone from us to order an engraving. Our portrait engraving service on provided material is exactly what it sounds like: you bring or ship your own slab to our workshop in Bytom, and we transfer a portrait onto it using diamond engraving. You pay for the craftsmanship — the drawing, the precision, the hours at the engraving table. Not for the raw material.
This differs from our standard engraved portrait products, where we supply the granite ourselves. Here, your slab is the starting point, and our job is to get the most out of it that diamond engraving allows.
What requirements must the supplied stone meet?
Not every slab performs equally well. Dark, polished granite gives the deepest contrast and blackest shadow; light or matte stone still works, but the portrait will be less striking. The slab should be at least 1.5–2 cm thick — thinner stone tends to crack under the engraving head. The surface intended for the portrait must be smooth, without deep scratches or chips; minor wear on the edges is not a problem. If you're unsure whether your slab qualifies, send us a photo before shipping — we assess it free of charge, with no obligation.
| 📊 Technical Data — Sizes and Prices | |
|---|---|
| 12×9 cm | PLN 300 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); smallest format, good for a modest slab or as an addition to an existing headstone |
| 15×13 cm | PLN 300 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); mid-way format, still compact, slightly more room for facial detail |
| 21×16 cm | PLN 310 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); compact format, good for a single portrait |
| 25×18 cm | PLN 340 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); our most popular size, clear facial detail |
| 30×20 cm | PLN 380 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); more room for detail, suits a portrait with background or two people |
| 35×25 cm | PLN 440 — engraving only, on your own slab (material not included); largest format, highest level of detail and room for an elaborate composition |
| Technique | Diamond engraving, hand-finished with a diamond needle |
| Production time | 7–10 working days from delivery of the slab and photo |
Who is this service for?
This option makes sense if you already have a slab and don't want to pay for stone twice — for example, when refreshing an old headstone with a new portrait, or if you bought granite locally at a lower price and only need the engraving craftsmanship. It's not the right choice if you want a complete, ready-made memorial piece from scratch — for that we recommend our engraved portraits on our own granite, where the stone is supplied together with the finished engraving. Heritage and Craftsmanship matter here just as much as with our fully supplied products.
Diamond engraving – how it actually works
A natural diamond tip mechanically traces the stone surface, point by point, reproducing the tones of a photograph from the deepest black to the lightest highlights on the face. It's a physical change to the stone's structure, so the engraving never fades, needs no maintenance, and withstands frost and rain. A practical tip: dark, polished granite gives the best results — a light or porous stone is a real limitation worth accepting before you ship the slab, because it can't be changed once the engraving is done. Unlike many workshops that accept any slab sight unseen, we always assess a photo of the stone first — this saves both sides time and money if the material turns out unsuitable.
Before production, every portrait goes through hand correction — a craftsman refines contrast, the depth of the gaze and facial details with a diamond needle, so the portrait feels alive rather than a flat reproduction of a photo's pixels.
🛠️ How to order the service – step by step
- Slab check: Send us a photo of your slab (dimensions, surface condition, stone colour) by email or phone. The assessment of whether it's suitable is free.
- Portrait photo and size: Send a good-quality photo of the person and choose one of six sizes (12×9 / 15×13 / 21×16 / 25×18 / 30×20 / 35×25 cm) — this determines the level of detail we can achieve.
- Delivering the slab: Bring the stone in person to our workshop in Bytom, or ship it by courier, well protected — ideally in a wooden crate or thick cardboard box with cushioning, so it doesn't crack in transit.
- Engraving and collection: Within 7–10 working days we complete the diamond engraving, then ship the slab back by courier or prepare it for personal pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send any granite slab of my own for engraving?
Yes, as long as it meets the basic conditions: minimum thickness of 1.5–2 cm and a smooth surface without deep damage where the portrait will go. Dark, polished granite gives the best contrast. If unsure, send a photo before shipping and we'll assess it free of charge. See also our ready-made engraved portraits on our own granite if you don't have a slab yet.
What requirements must the supplied stone meet?
A minimum thickness of 1.5–2 cm (thinner slabs can crack during diamond engraving), a smooth, ideally polished surface, and a colour that supports contrast — black or dark grey granite gives the deepest effect. Browse more stone options in our engraved-on-stone category.
How do I safely ship my own slab to the workshop?
We always pack granite slabs in a wooden crate or thick cardboard with cushioning (polystyrene, bubble wrap) — we ask the same standard of you when shipping to us. The stone should be immobilised so it can't shift during transport. You can also deliver the slab in person to our workshop in Bytom.
How is this different from ordering a ready-made portrait on your granite?
Here you pay only for diamond engraving — you supply the material yourself. In a standard order, such as our engraved portrait on granite, the price includes both the stone and the engraving work. The choice depends on whether you already own a suitable slab.
How much does the engraving service alone cost?
Price depends on size: PLN 300 for 12×9 cm, PLN 300 for 15×13 cm, PLN 310 for 21×16 cm, PLN 340 for 25×18 cm, PLN 380 for 30×20 cm, and PLN 440 for 35×25 cm. This covers labour only — diamond engraving and hand finishing — not the material. See the full table above.
How long does production take on my own material?
Typically 7–10 working days, counted from when we receive the slab and approve the portrait photo. Larger formats (30×20 and 35×25 cm) can take slightly longer due to the extra detail involved.
What happens if the supplied slab cracks during engraving?
This is rare and usually happens with slabs that are too thin or already damaged — which is why we always ask for a photo of the stone before accepting the order and flag any concerns about thickness or condition. If cracking still occurs for reasons on our side, we contact you individually to resolve it — that's exactly why the initial slab assessment matters.
See also
- Engraved portrait on granite — if you don't have your own slab yet and prefer to order the stone together with the engraving
- All engraved-on-stone products — our full range of stone engraving work
Already have a slab? Send us a photo of it together with the portrait photo, and we'll reply with a quote and timeline within 24 hours.
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