Guides
Practical notes on etched memorial portraits
Written for dealers and etchers, from vendor documentation, the LightBurn forum and the studio itself.
How to prepare an old photo for laser etching on granite
Scanning, repair, sizing and tone steps that turn a faded or damaged family photo into a clean grayscale file a laser can etch on black granite.
Read the guide · 6 min read
Best DPI for photo etching on black granite
DPI by laser type for portraits on black granite, what dot pitch means, why CO2 lasers need a lower DPI, and how to find your own number with a test strip.
Read the guide · 6 min read
LightBurn settings for granite portraits
Image mode, Negative Image, DPI, PhotoGrav Black Granite, the double-invert mistake, and when to use Pass-Through for pre-dithered portrait files.
Read the guide · 6 min read
How to combine two photos into one headstone portrait
Making a couple portrait from two separate photos: picking the right pair, matching light and scale, sizing for two faces, and getting the family to approve it.
Read the guide · 6 min read
Removing glasses, oxygen tubes and hospital gowns from a memorial photo
How to remove glasses, nasal cannulas and hospital clothing, add formal clothing, and check that an AI edit has not changed the face before it goes on stone.
Read the guide · 6 min read
Family proof approval for memorial portraits
Why a signed proof matters before a portrait is etched, what to show the family, how to handle low-quality photos, and how to keep approvals from slowing the order.
Read the guide · 5 min read