In-House Stone Craftsmanship
Sandblasting
Done by Hand.
Done in Portsmouth.
Traditional sandblasting for lettering, borders, and relief carving on memorial headstones and monuments. Every design is reviewed, approved, and executed entirely in-house — not handed off to an outside vendor.
Sandblasting
Our craftsmen. Our equipment. Our Portsmouth shop. No outsourcing.
The Art of Removing Stone to Reveal a Story
Sandblasting is one of the oldest and most precise methods of engraving stone. Using a focused stream of abrasive media, our craftsmen carefully remove layers of granite to create deeply cut lettering, detailed borders, scenic imagery, and raised relief designs that are both beautiful and permanent.
Unlike printed or surface-applied designs, sandblasted engravings are carved directly into the stone — they won't fade, peel, or deteriorate over decades of weather. A well-executed sandblasted headstone from Portsmouth Monument Co. will look as sharp in 50 years as it does the day of installation.
We've been doing this work since 1914. The equipment and techniques have advanced — but the commitment to doing it right, by hand, in our Portsmouth shop, hasn't changed.
Sandblasting in progress at our Portsmouth shop — every inscription executed by our own craftsmen.
What We Sandblast
Sandblasting is used across a wide range of memorial designs — from traditional inscriptions to detailed pictorial scenes. Here's what our craftsmen handle in-house.
Lettering & Inscriptions
Names, dates, epithets, Bible verses, poems. Deep-cut sandblasted lettering is the most enduring way to inscribe a stone — highly legible, weather-resistant, and permanent.
- Multiple font styles available
- Any inscription length
- Single or multi-panel layouts
- Dates, names, meaningful text
Pictorial & Scenic Carving
Detailed imagery carved into granite — landscapes, religious scenes, flowers, trees, wildlife, and more. Sandblasting can achieve surprising depth and detail in pictorial work.
- Custom scenes designed from reference images
- Religious iconography
- Nature and wildlife imagery
- Personalized motifs unique to the person
Borders & Design Elements
Decorative borders, corner accents, panel frames, and design elements that give a memorial its distinctive visual character and finish.
- Traditional and ornate border styles
- Panel framing and insets
- Corner accents and flourishes
- Custom design elements
Religious & Symbolic Imagery
Crosses, angels, praying hands, doves, Stars of David, and other religious or symbolic imagery sandblasted directly into the stone.
- Christian symbolism
- Faith-based imagery across traditions
- Fraternal and military emblems
- Personal symbols meaningful to the family
Add-On Inscriptions
An existing headstone with a blank spouse panel, or one that needs a date added after a passing — we return to the cemetery and add inscriptions to stones already in place.
- Add dates to existing markers
- Complete companion/spouse panels
- Corrections to prior inscriptions
- Additional text or designs
Full Monument Customization
For upright monuments and more complex memorial designs, sandblasting is combined with other in-house techniques to create a complete, finished memorial.
- Flat, slant, bevel, and upright styles
- Front and back panel work
- Combined with laser etching for portraits
- Full installation included
How We Take a Design
From Paper to Stone
Every sandblasted inscription starts with your vision and ends with your signed approval. Here's what happens between.
Design Consultation
We sit down with you — in person at our Portsmouth showroom or by phone — to discuss what you want on the stone. We help you think through layout, lettering style, imagery, and overall composition.
Design Draft
Our team creates a full design layout. You receive a detailed visual of exactly how the finished stone will appear — every letter, every symbol, every element in its final position.
Your Signed Approval
Nothing is sandblasted without your written sign-off. This is our firm policy, not a formality. We want you to be certain before the first grain of abrasive touches the granite.
In-House Sandblasting
Our craftsmen apply protective masking, then sandblast the approved design into the stone in our Portsmouth shop. All work is done by our staff using our equipment — no outside vendors.
What You Can Customize
Sandblasting gives you a wide range of creative options for personalizing a memorial. Our team works with you to translate your vision into a design that will last for generations.
Whether you come in with a photograph, a sketch, an idea, or simply a name and dates — we'll work with you until the design reflects who you're honoring.
Your Approval Is
Not Optional — It's Our Policy
Before any sandblasting begins, you receive a full design layout showing exactly how the finished stone will look. You review it. You ask questions. You request changes. And then — only once you're certain — you sign off.
This isn't just a nice gesture. Sandblasting is permanent. Once it's in the stone, it's in the stone. We take that seriously, which is why your written approval is required on every project — memorials and countertops alike.
"Nothing gets sandblasted without your signature. No exceptions."
Sandblasting or Laser Etching?
Here's the Difference.
We offer both techniques in-house. Knowing which is right for your memorial depends on the design and the look you're going for. We'll help you decide — but here's the short version.
Sandblasting
Removes stone through abrasive blasting to create deep, tactile engravings. Produces a distinctly carved appearance with visible depth you can feel with your hand.
Laser Etching
Uses a high-precision laser to etch incredibly detailed imagery into stone — and other materials. Capable of reproducing photographic-quality portraits directly onto granite.
Not sure which is right for your project? Call us — we'll look at your design and tell you exactly which technique will produce the result you're after.
Granite Types We Sandblast
We stock a large on-site inventory of granite headstones in multiple colors and finishes. All of our granite is suitable for sandblasting, and we'll show you samples in person so you can see how different granites take engraving before you decide.
Sandblasting Questions We Hear Often
If you don't see your question here, just call us.
What exactly is sandblasting, and how is it done on headstones?
Sandblasting uses a compressed stream of abrasive media directed at the stone surface through a handheld nozzle. A craftsman applies a thick rubber masking material to the granite first — cut precisely to the design — then removes the mask from the areas to be engraved and blasts those areas to the desired depth. The result is a permanent, tactile carving in the stone. Our craftsmen do this work in our Portsmouth shop using our own equipment.
Can you add an inscription to a headstone that's already at the cemetery?
Yes. If a stone has a blank spouse panel, or if you need to add a date of passing after a death occurs, we can return to the cemetery and add the inscription on-site. We do this regularly. Contact us to discuss the specific stone and what needs to be added — we'll walk you through the process and give you a quote.
How deep is the sandblasted engraving?
Standard sandblasted lettering typically reaches a depth of around 3/8 inch into the granite, though this varies by design and application. This depth is what gives sandblasted work its distinctive tactile quality — you can feel the carving with your finger — and is one reason it's so durable over time. Shallower relief carving can be done for pictorial work that benefits from a lighter, more detailed touch.
What's the difference between sandblasting and laser etching for a portrait?
For photographic portraits, laser etching is almost always the better choice. Lasers can reproduce photographic-quality detail that sandblasting cannot match for fine imagery. Sandblasting excels at lettering, borders, geometric designs, and pictorial work where depth and a carved appearance is the goal. If you're looking to include a portrait photo of a loved one, we'd recommend laser etching for that element — and we offer both techniques in-house. Call us to discuss your specific design and we'll tell you which approach makes sense.
How long does it take to complete a sandblasted headstone?
Timelines depend on the complexity of the design and our current workload. During your consultation, we'll give you a specific timeline for your project. Because everything is done in-house, we have direct control over the schedule and aren't waiting on an outside vendor. If you have a deadline related to an interment or ceremony, let us know upfront and we'll do everything we can to meet it.
Do I really need to come in to start the process, or can I do it by phone or email?
You don't have to come in to get started — we can begin the conversation by phone at (740) 353-4055 or by email at portsmouthmonument@yahoo.com. That said, we strongly encourage visiting our showroom when you're ready to see granite options in person. Seeing the actual stone — especially if you're choosing a granite style — is far more helpful than photos. We're open Monday–Friday 8am–4:30pm and Saturday by appointment.
Want to Add a Portrait?
Laser Etching Does That.
Sandblasting handles lettering and carving beautifully — but for photographic portraits, highly detailed artwork, or imagery on wood, glass, and metal, our in-house laser etching takes over. Many memorials combine both techniques on the same stone.
Let's Talk About
What You're Envisioning
Whether you're planning a memorial headstone from scratch, adding an inscription to an existing stone, or combining sandblasting with laser etching — our team is here to help you do it right. Call us or stop by the showroom in Portsmouth.
Visit Our Showroom
Phone
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm
Saturday by appointment