How to order a handwritten engraved gift

There are gifts, and then there are gifts that feel like a person. A piece of jewellery engraved with someone's actual handwriting falls firmly into the second category. It's not a font chosen from a dropdown. It's the way they loop their letters, the slight lean of their signature, the exact way they write your name.

Handwritten engraving is one of our most requested personalisation options at The Silver Store, and it's simpler to order than most people expect. Here's how it works.

Summary

This guide covers how to capture handwriting at home using a ballpoint or felt tip pen, how to photograph or scan it clearly, what size and character limits to keep in mind depending on the piece you choose, and ideas for what personal message to write. Handwritten engraving works across jewellery like necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and keyrings.

How to capture the handwriting

All you need is a piece of plain white paper and a pen. A ballpoint or felt tip works best as both give a clear, consistent line that shows up well when photographed or scanned. Avoid pencil or very light ink as these don't capture as cleanly.

Write naturally. The whole point is that it looks like the person who wrote it, so don't overthink the neatness. That said, it's worth writing it out a few times and choosing the version that feels most natural and legible.

Once you're happy with it, you can either photograph it or scan it before uploading.

Photo or scan: which is better?

Both work well as long as the image is clear. If you're taking a photo, use natural daylight where possible and make sure the image is sharp and in focus. A handy tip: tap the handwriting on your phone screen before shooting to make sure the camera focuses on it directly. Lay the paper flat and shoot straight down rather than at an angle to avoid distortion.

If you have access to a scanner, a scan will give you the cleanest result with no shadows or angle issues. You can also use an app called PhotoScan to produce high quality images from your phone. This is especially useful if you're working from an old letter, card, or photo, as it captures fine detail that a regular phone camera sometimes misses.

When you're ready to upload, jpeg and PNG files work best and your file should be under 20MB.

Either way, the writing just needs to be clearly visible with good contrast between the ink and the paper so we can engrave it cleanly on your chosen piece.

Keep the size of the piece in mind

This is one of the most important things to consider before you write. Every piece has a different engraving area, and smaller items like rings, fine pendants, or stud earrings have less space to work with than a wider bracelet or larger disc. The shorter and more considered the message, the more it tends to work in your favour anyway.

If you're unsure whether your message will fit the piece you have in mind, get in touch before you order and we'll let you know what's possible. Otherwise, there are descriptions for each of our pieces that usually give a clear guide of how many characters can fit. 

Ideas for what to write

Not sure what handwriting to use or what to ask someone to write? Here are some ideas that work beautifully for engraving a personal message:

• A parent or grandparent's signature

• A child's name written in their own hand

• A short message from a loved one, "I love you", "always", "forever mine"

• An important date written out by the person it belongs to

• A single word or nickname that means something between just the two of you

• Handwriting from a letter or card you've kept and always treasured

The handwriting of someone who is no longer here is especially meaningful to preserve. If you have an old card, letter, or note with their writing in it, we may be able to work from that too. Get in touch and we'll let you know what's possible.

How to order

1. Choose your piece and consider the engraving area available.

2. Write your message on plain white paper using a ballpoint or felt tip pen.

3. Photograph or scan it clearly.

4. Add engraving to your order, select the image option to engrave handwriting, and upload your file.

If you have any questions about whether your handwriting will work or which piece suits your message best, reach out before you order and we'll help you get it right.

The writing only they could have written

Handwriting is one of the last truly personal things we have. In a world of typed messages and digital everything, the way someone holds a pen and moves it across a page is entirely their own. Capturing that and wearing it every day is something quite different to any other kind of gift.

Create your personalised handwritten piece

Q&A

Question: Do you remove the background from the handwriting before engraving?

Short answer: Yes, we take care of that for you. Once you upload your image we'll automatically remove the background, so you don't need to edit anything before sending it through.

Question: What’s the best way to capture handwriting for engraving?

Short answer: Use plain white paper and write with a ballpoint or felt tip pen, as both produce clear, consistent lines that engrave well. Avoid pencil or very light ink as they don’t capture cleanly. Encourage the writer to write naturally. Try a few versions and choose the one that feels most legible and true to their style.

Question: Should I photograph the handwriting or scan it?

Short answer: Either works if the image is clear. Scanning typically gives the cleanest result with no shadows or angle issues. If photographing, use natural daylight, lay the paper flat, shoot straight down (not at an angle), and make sure the image is sharp and in focus. Good contrast between ink and paper helps ensure a clean engraving.

Question: How much handwriting will fit on my chosen piece?

Short answer: It depends on the engraving area of the item. Smaller pieces like rings, fine pendants, or earrings have less space than wider bracelets or larger discs. Shorter, more considered messages usually work best. If you’re unsure whether your message will fit a specific piece, get in touch before you order and we’ll advise what’s possible.

Question: Can you engrave handwriting from an old card or letter, including from someone who has passed away?

Short answer: In many cases, yes. Handwriting from treasured keepsakes like cards or letters can often be used. Share what you have and we’ll let you know if it’s suitable for engraving.

Question: How do I place an order for handwritten engraving?

Short answer: 1) Choose your jewellery or keyring and consider its engraving area. 2) Write the message on plain white paper with a ballpoint or felt tip. 3) Photograph or scan it clearly. 4) Add engraving to your order, select the image option for handwriting, and upload your file. If you have questions about suitability or which piece fits your message best, reach out before ordering and we’ll help you get it right.