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Engraver

Engravers cut letters, figures and designs on metal, glass, wood, rubber, plastic and other surfaces.

TASKS

Engravers may perform the following tasks:

lay out lettering or designs on objects by sketching on paper or in powder on the objects to be engraved
mark outlines of designs using scribers, mount objects in vices and cut designs with engraving tools
clean and polish engraved areas
sketch original designs, or copy sketches or photographs
brush powder or solutions onto surfaces of dies or plates that imprint designs
use acid etching to produce photographic images onto metals
use pantographs to enlarge or reduce designs
operate engraving machines to cut standard designs

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy artistic and creative work
able to do accurate and detailed work
good eyesight (may be corrected)
good hand-eye coordination
aptitude for working with computers
good at spelling

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Hand Engraver - uses hand-held cutters and tools to engrave many different types of objects, including silverware, jewellery, plates, glass, glassware and trophies according to sketches, diagrams, photographs or sample workpieces.

Industrial Engraver - uses computer-aided engraving machines and mechanically operated machines to engrave objects such as signs.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as an engraver without formal qualifications, but employers generally require Year 10. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Skills in the fields of Engineering Tradesperson - Mechanical or Jeweller may be useful in this occupation and may also improve job prospects for engravers. See the separate profiles for Engineering

Tradesperson - Mechanical and Jeweller for more details.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Metal and Engineering Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Engravers are employed by manufacturers, industrial and commercial engraving firms and jewellers, as well as combined footwear repair, key-cutting and engraving shops.

Some engravers are self-employed, although the cost of establishing a business is high. Engraving firms tend to be small, usually employing two to 10 staff members.

The type of equipment used by engravers is being improved with the introduction of computer and laser technology.