1) - Stencil sandblasting (photogravure): a granite sandblasting method through a stencil mask which contains holes to allow the abrasive to pass through.

This process enables a design to be clearly engraved into the granite but the stencil screen (alignment of the stencil holes) gives a roughened look to the funeral design, with imprecise or non-existent detailing.
It is better to look at the design from a distance (around 2 metres) so you are not aware of the screen effect.
A sandblaster is not designed to be used for artistic purposes to improve the look of a design or to recreate a missing part of a faded photo (which nonetheless is often the method used with old funeral plaque photos).
This process is better suited to outdoor use than laser marking, without coming close to the quality of diamond engraving, when the design is not detailed and visitors do not view the funeral plaque close-up.

2) - Laser marking: an industrial method for superficially marking the surface of funeral plaque granite.
You cannot detect any evidence of laser marking on granite by passing a finger or a nail over the surface of the marking.
NOTE: this type of laser marking is occasionally improperly and knowingly called "laser engraving" to create confusion between superficial laser marking on granite and genuine, permanent diamond engraving or any other engraving process where engraving actually occurs!

On granite, the laser beam of a machine heats the surface of the granite causing a superficial part of it to be removed thermally. It is impossible to penetrate both deeply and intricately into granite using this type of process on funeral plaques, since the more powerful the laser, the greater the detached surface; this results in a poorer quality rendering.
Laser marking on granite is therefore so slight that the manufacturer is obliged to go over the design with paint in order to obtain an acceptable end product.
This marking on granite does not withstand outdoor conditions well at all, as the microscopic paint layer fades quickly.
Given that any incision resulting from this type of marking on funeral plaques cannot be felt by hand and that the paint consists of a microscopic layer, laser marking on granite is not at all suitable for long-term outdoor use.

Some companies offer "laser engraving" on granite for outdoor funeral plaques; if you want a long-lasting outdoor engraving, we would strongly recommend that you avoid this type of industrial product which is incorrectly referred to as "engraving".
This is a very inexpensive method to use on funeral plaques as no training is needed to operate a laser marker.
What's more, an operator brings no artistic skill into play to improve the look of a design or to recreate a missing part of a faded photo (which is nonetheless often the method used with old photos).
This technique is only advisable for granite to be placed indoors or for PVC, plastic, plexiglass, wood or other suitable materials for which the term "engraving" is more fitting, as the result is visible without having to view it under a microscope.

3) - Diamond engraving: diamond engraving methods, in which RENAUD GRAVURE specialises, require highly-trained artistic and professional stone engraving expertise.

The engraver starts out with a pencil which is set with a small diamond tip. Jocelyn Renaud uses the pointillist method which consists of repeatedly tapping the granite to leave a series of tiny marks which will make up the design.
Each point is hollowed out as a result of the impact of the diamond; in contrast to the laser process, the engraving is therefore literally 'set in stone'.
The design on the funeral plaque is very precise and reveals the smallest details in contrast to sandblasting (photogravure).
Finally, the funeral artist-engraver interprets the design to produce a quality artistic image and not simply a copy of the original document. Funeral photos are adjusted, retouched and even reconstituted when necessary.
RENAUD GRAVURE is a company that has developed expertise, a methodology and an innovative technique to cut the amount of time spent completing its works of art, without losing any of the traditional, hand-crafted, artistic skill involved.
This expertise allows it to offer diamond artistic engraving at the same price as laser and photo-engraving methods, which are the cheapest on the market!

To conclude:

diamond engraving is a time-honoured technique going back many years.

This engraving is extremely resistant to weathering and is very attractive if it is carried out by an experienced artist who has perfected their art.

ALL photo reproductions are at least in part carried out by hand benefiting from

the artistic talent of Jocelyn Renaud
**** Artist-engraver listed and accredited by Drouot Cotation Paris ****

- 24-carat gold engraving (RENAUD GRAVURE) and the rest...:

- Unlike all our competitors, our gold engraving on funeral plaques is ALWAYS carried out using 24-carat (1000/1000) gold leaf.
This 24-carat gold is guaranteed to be stainless as it is 100% pure and therefore free from oxidising materials such as cooper, brass and silver.
Gold engraving found on funeral plaques for sale is generally 22-carat (916/1000) or 18-carat (720/1000), but some will contain no gold at all as there are inexpensive painted imitation gold products on the market (this has a disastrous hold).
All of these gold engravings of less than 24-carat oxidise over time and turn green, brown or grey depending on the alloy.
The term "fine gold engraving" commonly used by 99% of funeral "retailers" is absolutely no guarantee of quality as no information is provided as to the purity of the gold leaf; it can therefore mean that the gold is very poor quality.

- To conclude: our exceptional 24-carat (1000/1000) funeral plaque gold engraving is guaranteed stainless!

- Traditionally fired porcelain photos and prints:

- We exclusively offer porcelain photos for your funeral plaque which have been traditionally made and kiln-fired at 900°C.
These fully withstand the test of time and are greatly superior to newer porcelain photos on the market which are printed with ink using sublimation printing methods as used in advertising (printed mouse-mats, cups, caps etc.). It is even possible to buy transfer kits that allow you to carry out this process yourself; temperatures of 180°C are enough, followed by a simple spray of epoxy varnish from a can.
These bottom-of-the-range products do not meet our quality standards; you can therefore be sure that our website features only the best quality porcelain photos on the market, carefully selected by us.