This can be easily done using several methods. We use manual and computerized engraving machines for doing engraving on our tooling and custom pickups we make. Many times our company logo is stamped on bottom plates or covers and is used to identify a product. The punches are made from hardened tool steel and need some kind of punch press to deploy the logo on the material. I use manual panograph machine to diamond drag someone’s name or logo onto covers that are made from brass, aluminum or nickel silver.

Covers can be easily etched with your name by using a manual, computer or laser engraver. The manual engravers are very flexible and I can use many different style fonts when engraving. I do rotary engraving on plastics such as truss rod covers when an artist wants his name or to identify a particular guitar he is using. I have put numbers and words on the truss rod covers to designate the tuning of the instrument. It may say “G” or “D-Tuning” for how the guitar is tuned. This helps the guitar tech identify what guitar needs what tuning. I often get sent Gibson or other types of truss rod covers to engrave the name of the guitar or owner. It may have the name of his girlfriend or the model of his or her guitar.

You can also emboss a metal cover using custom metal stamps and dies. The diamond drag is a non-rotating engraving bit with a diamond embedded in the tip at various degrees to determine the depth and width of the line you are engraving. You can use a rotating carbide cutter to engrave but it makes the lettering less desirable to me than the diamond drag. You can engrave your name on the unplated surface and then have it plated in gold, nickel, chrome for a great look. You can do hand engraving which involves more experience to get a professional look.

I do all kinds of engraving and especially like marking all my tools. You can use a hand electric vibrating engraver but again it takes a good steady hand to get a professional look. Often you find hand engraving on fine jewelry such as watches and custom firearms. You can also a add a logo or special inscription by bead blasting and uses a fine material such as glass or aluminum oxide sprayed through a special nozzle.