Font Types Are Critical To Engraving Quality And Time

There are 2 main types of fonts for engraving: TrueType (print fonts), and preengineered engraving fonts.

TrueType fonts are outline fonts. They can be filled for a solid, bold look. Filling requires the engraving program to calculate the tool paths. Engraving fonts are pre-engineered fonts with optimized tool paths designed for reducing engraving time and optimizing engraving quality.

Engraving fonts are optimized with reduced tool lifts, tool paths starting from the inside of a contour - so you don’t lose the leading edge of a filled contour which causes “dimpling”. Direction of tool path is predetermined for high quality engraving. The engraving path order is optimized as a time saving measure. Use single-line fonts to increase production speed. When selecting cutters, please use the chart below as a guideline for choosing the appropriate sized tip for engraving.