How Hand Engraving Is Designed: Sketch to Finished Ring
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio · Updated October 22, 2026
Short answer: A custom engraving goes through four stages: your references, a drawing sized to the ring, its place in the 3D design, then hand cutting once the ring is cast. Most designs start from one of our 56 named styles and get changed to fit your story.
People picture an engraver improvising on a finished ring. In reality almost all the decisions are made on paper and in the CAD first, so the engraver knows exactly what goes where before the first cut.
Step 1: what do you send us?
Anything that shows the idea: a photo of a flower, a tattoo, a mountain range, a screenshot of engraving you like. Or pick a starting style from our library. On the call we talk about where it should go and how much of the ring it covers.
Step 2: how does the idea become a drawing?
We draw it to the real size of the space. For Daryll's ring, that meant a sheet with the band laid out flat, flowers sketched along it, mountains drawn for the shoulders, and the botanical illustrations the flowers were taken from beside it.
The design sheet for Daryll's ring.
Step 3: how is engraving shown in the 3D design?
Every ring is designed in CAD. Where the engraving is part of the look, it is drawn onto the model so you see where it sits and how much it covers, from every angle. The render shows placement and style; the hand cut on the metal will be deeper and slightly different, because it is done by hand. More on the CAD stage in engagement ring CAD design.
3D render of Akila and Gireesh's 3.09 carat oval, engraving placed on the top side of the band.
Step 4: when is the engraving cut?
During production, once the ring is cast in metal. The engraver works from the agreed drawing and placement and cuts it by hand, and the ring gets its final finish after. It happens inside our usual 10 to 12 weeks from deposit to delivery.
The finished band: Daryll's 2.51 carat marquise with 22 flowers.
Can I change the engraving after seeing the design?
Yes, before it is cut. The drawing and the 3D design are the time to move a flower or swap a style. Once the metal is carved, changes are limited, so we settle it first. The whole build, start to finish, is on our five step process page.
Have references for an engraving? Bring them to a free call.
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Questions we get about this
How is a custom engraving designed?
From your references to a drawing sized to the ring, then placed in the 3D design, then cut by hand once the ring is cast.
Can I see the engraving before it is made?
You see the drawing and the 3D design. The hand cut follows them, with the small differences of hand work.
What should I send for a custom engraving?
Photos of the thing you want, engraving you like, or a style from our library as a starting point.
How long does the engraving step take?
It happens during production, inside our usual 10 to 12 weeks from deposit to delivery. More carving means more bench time.
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