Portsmouth Monument Co. · Est. 1914
Laser Etching
in Extraordinary
Detail.
Portraits, artwork, custom designs — etched with precision into granite, quartz, glass, wood, and metal. Every design done in-house by our craftsmen in Portsmouth. Nothing is etched until you've approved it.
- Granite & Quartz
- Glass
- Wood
- Metal
- Ceramic & Marble
- Acrylic
Not All Stone Work
Looks Like This
Laser etching uses a focused laser beam to remove the surface of a material in precise increments — creating images, text, and designs at a resolution that sandblasting and hand engraving simply cannot match.
The result is a level of detail that captures the texture of skin, the softness of hair, the expression in a face — rendered permanently into stone, glass, or wood. A photograph becomes a permanent tribute. A design becomes a legacy.
At Portsmouth Monument Co., laser etching is done entirely in-house on our own equipment. The people who take your order are the same people who run the machine — and nothing is cut until you've reviewed and signed off on the design.
Laser-etched portrait work — done in-house in Portsmouth, Ohio
One Laser. Many Surfaces.
Our laser etching equipment works across a wide range of materials — from headstone granite to decorative glass to personalized wood gifts.
The most common surface for memorial headstones. Exceptional contrast and permanence.
Clean, smooth finish — ideal for precision text and geometric designs on countertop surfaces.
Frosted etching creates beautiful contrast — perfect for awards, gifts, and memorial pieces.
Warm, natural depth — great for decorative signs, memorial plaques, and personalized gifts.
Precise and permanent — ideal for plaques, awards, industrial signage, and custom labels.
If You Can Imagine It,
We Can Probably Etch It.
From a photograph of a loved one to a company logo to a custom piece of artwork — laser etching transforms images and text into permanent surface details with remarkable fidelity.
Portraits & Photographs
The most requested and most meaningful application of laser etching. We take a photograph — a face, a moment, a smile — and render it permanently into granite or another surface at a level of detail that honors who that person was. This is the feature most often requested for memorial headstones, and it requires a craftsman with experience, not just a machine.
- Family portraits
- Military photos
- Wedding photos
- Pet portraits
- Childhood photos
Religious & Spiritual Imagery
Crosses, praying hands, angels, doves, scripture passages — detailed religious artwork etched onto headstones and memorial plaques.
- Crosses & symbols
- Angels & figures
- Scripture text
- Religious scenes
Custom Artwork & Designs
Logos, illustrations, decorative motifs — if it can be rendered as an image, it can be etched. We work from provided artwork or help you develop the design.
- Logos & crests
- Wildlife scenes
- Custom illustrations
- Architectural renderings
Text, Verses & Inscriptions
Quotes, poems, names, dates — laser etching achieves a precision and consistency that hand engraving simply cannot replicate for fine text and complex typography.
- Memorial inscriptions
- Poems & verses
- Military service details
- Custom typography
Gifts & Commemorative Pieces
Beyond memorials, laser etching creates extraordinary personalized gifts — on glass, wood, or acrylic — for retirements, milestones, anniversaries, and more.
- Retirement plaques
- Anniversary gifts
- Awards & trophies
- Personalized keepsakes
Four Steps from Idea
to Finished Piece
Every laser etching project follows the same careful process — designed to give you complete confidence before anything is permanently etched.
Share Your Vision
Call us, visit the showroom, or send an email. Tell us what you're imagining — the surface, the design, the purpose. We'll let you know what's possible and what to expect.
Provide Your Image or Artwork
For portraits, higher-resolution photos produce better results. We'll guide you on what we need. For original artwork, we work from your files or help you develop the design in-house.
Review & Sign Off
We prepare the design file and share it with you for review. Your signed approval is required before any etching begins. Nothing is permanent until you say it is.
We Etch It In Portsmouth
Our craftsmen run the job on our in-house laser equipment. The finished piece is reviewed by our team before it leaves the shop or is installed at the cemetery.
A Photograph
Becomes a Permanent Tribute.
When a family brings us a photograph of someone they've lost, they're trusting us with one of the most personal decisions they'll ever make. That photograph — a face, a moment — will be etched into granite and stand in a cemetery for generations.
Laser etching captures detail that no other method can match: the expression in someone's eyes, the texture of a uniform, the lines of a face. It transforms a photograph into something that honors a person exactly as they were — not a generic silhouette, but them.
This service is available as part of a new headstone order or as an addition to an existing memorial. We work closely with families throughout the design process, and nothing is etched without your signed approval.
See What Laser Etching
Can Do for Your Project
Whether it's a memorial portrait, a gift, or a custom design — call our Portsmouth shop or send us a message. We'll let you know what's possible and walk you through the process.
Custom Laser Etching
for Every Occasion
Laser etching creates extraordinary personalized pieces far beyond memorials — gifts, awards, signage, and keepsakes that last a lifetime.
Awards & Recognition
Employee of the year plaques. Retirement gifts. Service recognition awards. Laser-etched glass, wood, or metal pieces that acknowledge achievement with permanence and craft.
Weddings & Milestones
Personalized gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays. A family name etched in glass. A wedding photo rendered on wood. Something that will outlast the occasion.
Pet Memorials
For the pets who were part of the family. A portrait etched into granite or glass — a tribute that honors a companion with the same care we bring to every memorial project.
Institutional & Business Signage
Lobby plaques, donor walls, building signage — laser-etched stone or metal that presents your organization with lasting quality and professional detail.
Military & Service Memorials
Honoring veterans with precision. Service photos, unit insignia, medals, and military details etched into granite — an exact record of service rendered in permanent stone.
Custom Gifts & Keepsakes
Have something specific in mind that doesn't fit a category? Call us. If it can be designed as an image and etched onto a compatible surface, we're happy to discuss it.
When the Detail
Takes Your Breath Away
Laser etching is the service our customers most often mention when they describe the finished memorial. Here's how they describe the result.
"The laser-etched portrait they created for my mother's headstone brought me to tears when I saw it. I gave them a photograph and they turned it into something that will last forever in stone. Every detail — her eyes, her smile — exactly right. Our family is so grateful."
"My father served 22 years in the Army. I wanted his headstone to show that. Portsmouth Monument Co. laser-etched his service photo along with his unit insignia and dates of service. It looks exactly like him. It represents his service. He would have been proud."
Real Etchings.
Done In Portsmouth.
Every piece below was designed, etched, and finished by our craftsmen in our Portsmouth shop. No outsourcing. No strangers.
Laser Etching Is One Part
of What We Do In-House
Portsmouth Monument Co. handles every step of the memorial and countertop process under one roof.
Custom Headstones
Full-service memorial design, fabrication, and installation. Granite in flat, slant, bevel, and upright styles — with large on-site inventory to see in person.
View Memorials → 🌬️Sandblasting
Traditional sandblasting for lettering, borders, and decorative relief carving — the classic memorial technique with lasting visual impact.
View Sandblasting → 🏡Granite & Quartz Countertops
The only Cambria Certified Installer in the greater Scioto area. Kitchen, bathroom, and shower surfaces — measured, fabricated, and installed in-house.
View Countertops →Laser Etching Questions
We Hear Often
If you don't see your question here, give us a call at (740) 353-4055.
What photo quality do I need for a laser-etched portrait?
Higher resolution photos produce better results — but the most important thing is image clarity and contrast. A crisp, well-lit portrait with a clear subject will etch better than a large but blurry photo. When you bring or send us your image, we'll assess it and let you know honestly what the finished result will look like. We will not proceed if the quality won't do justice to the project.
Can you etch from an old or damaged photograph?
Possibly, depending on the condition. We've worked with photographs that have been scanned, restored, and then etched — and the results can be remarkable. Bring us what you have and we'll give you an honest assessment of what's achievable. We won't overpromise.
Can laser etching be added to an existing headstone?
In many cases, yes. Adding a portrait or design to an existing granite headstone is a service we offer. The feasibility depends on the surface, the existing design, and the space available. Call or bring us a photo of the existing stone and we'll let you know what's possible and what it would cost.
How long does laser etching take to complete?
Timelines vary depending on current workload, the complexity of the design, and whether the etching is part of a new headstone build or an addition to an existing piece. We'll give you a realistic timeline when you come in or call to discuss your project. Because everything is done in-house, we control our own schedule — we're not waiting on outside vendors.
Can you etch on surfaces I bring in, rather than purchasing stone from you?
Call us to discuss. In some cases we can work on customer-supplied materials; in others, the surface type or condition may not be compatible with our equipment. We're always happy to evaluate what you have and give you a straight answer.
Do you do laser etching for things other than memorials?
Yes — we offer laser etching for awards, gifts, signage, pet memorials, military commemoratives, and personalized keepsakes on granite, glass, wood, metal, and other compatible materials. If you have a project in mind, tell us what you're thinking and we'll let you know what's possible.
What is the difference between laser etching and sandblasting for a headstone?
Both are permanent surface-removal techniques, but they produce very different results. Sandblasting is ideal for large text, borders, and bold relief carving — it removes material more aggressively and creates a rougher, deeper texture. Laser etching uses a precision beam to create fine-detail work — portraits, photographs, and intricate imagery that sandblasting cannot replicate. Many headstones combine both: sandblasted lettering and borders with a laser-etched portrait. We can walk you through what would work best for your project.
Ready When You Are.
We've Been Here Since 1914.
Whether you're planning a portrait for a memorial headstone or looking for a personalized gift — our craftsmen in Portsmouth are ready to walk you through the process. Nothing is etched until you've approved the design.
Visit Our Showroom
Call Us
Hours
Mon–Fri: 8:00am–4:30pm
Saturday: By appointment only