Turn a Portrait into an Engraved Locket: A Step-by-Step Guide

Turn a Portrait into an Engraved Locket: A Step-by-Step Guide

Struggling to turn a faded photo or tiny scanned sketch into a meaningful, durable keepsake? You’re not alone. Customers tell us they want a locket that reads clearly, that feels like the person in the picture — not a fuzzy smudge. This guide walks you through the exact, practical steps we use at Memorys.store to convert a small family portrait or scanned artwork into a crisp engraved locket or charm. Follow these steps and you’ll avoid common pitfalls around image clarity, engraving legibility, and ordering logistics.

Why this matters now (2026 context)

In late 2025 and into 2026, demand for tactile keepsakes has grown as families look to physical heirlooms in a predominantly digital life. At the same time, desktop-grade laser and photo-etching tools — plus AI-assisted image cleanup — have become widely available to artisan jewelers, which means more shops can produce detailed portrait engravings. That’s good news: it lowers cost and improves preview fidelity. But it also means shops expect better-prepared files from customers. The better your photo prep, the more faithful the final engraving. Learn how makers are preparing files and workflows in broader maker tooling roundups.

Quick overview: The 6-step workflow

1. Choose the right photo or scan
2. Crop and scale to the locket template
3. Adjust contrast, sharpen, and clean the image
4. Convert to engraving-ready artwork (vector, halftone, or high-contrast bitmap)
5. Preview in mockup and request a proof
6. Order & specify material, finish, and packaging

Step 1 — Choosing the best source image

The most common mistake is starting with a tiny, blurry image. The goal is to give your jeweler as much usable detail as possible.

What works best

• Original print scan: For old photos, scan at 600–1200 DPI. If the original is postcard-sized or smaller, choose 1200 DPI.
• Good smartphone photos: Shoot in natural light, steady the phone, and frame tightly. Use RAW if available (many 2024–2026 phones allow RAW capture). If you’re relying on a phone camera, see our field notes on device choices like the refurbished iPhone 14 Pro for high-quality captures.
• Artwork & sketches: Scan line art at 600 DPI. For pencil sketches, a higher DPI captures texture that can be simplified later.

What to avoid

• Soft-focus or grainy low-res downloads
• Photos with strong color casts — these add complexity to contrast conversion
• Heavy shadows obscuring faces

Step 2 — Match the locket size and safe zones

Most lockets are small: 16–22 mm inside diameter for classic rounds. Design for the final size from the start.

Practical sizing rules

• Work at final dimensions in millimeters or inches. Example: 18 mm diameter = 0.71 in.
• Supply at least 600 pixels across the subject after cropping. For very small lockets we recommend 800–1,000 pixels to allow sharpening and contrast adjustments.
• Reserve a safe margin of about 1.5–2 mm from the outside edge so important features (eyes, mouths) aren’t clipped when the locket closes or during finishing.

Step 3 — Image prep: contrast, clarity, and simplification

Engraving is essentially monochrome. The trick is to translate tones into readable lines or grain.

Adjust contrast and tonal range

• Use Curves or Levels to increase midtone contrast while preserving highlights and shadows.
• For faces, emphasize the eyes and mouth — slight dodge on eyes and slight burn on hairline help the machine register features.
• If color casts are present, desaturate first then adjust blacks and whites in grayscale.

Sharpen and reduce noise

• Apply targeted sharpening (Unsharp Mask or High Pass) at a small radius for small formats.
• For scanned prints with speckling, use gentle noise reduction. Over-smoothing kills important facial texture.

Remove distractions

• Clone out bright reflections, dust, or objects that will clutter the tiny surface.
• Simplify jewelry or busy backgrounds — a neutral background reads better in engraving.

Step 4 — Convert the photo into an engraving-friendly file

There are three common engraving artwork formats — choose based on the maker’s process.

1) High-contrast bitmap (best for mechanical/graver engraving)

• Convert to grayscale, then use Threshold to set a single black/white cutoff. Tweak until facial outlines remain clear.
• Save as TIFF or PNG at 300–600 DPI.

2) Halftone or stipple (best for depth and gradient representation, popular with laser rastering)

• In Photoshop: Image > Mode > Bitmap, choose halftone screen. Start with a 20–45 line screen and experiment with dot shape (round gives softer tones).
• Use ordered or stochastic screens for smoother skin tone at small sizes.

3) Vector line art (best for line-engraving and CNC tools)

• Use Illustrator’s Image Trace or Inkscape’s Trace Bitmap (Potrace). Set low complexity to keep lines bold.
• Clean up paths and ensure minimum stroke widths — see minimums below.

Recommended file formats

Raster: TIFF, PNG (lossless), high-quality JPEG when necessary. Vector: SVG, PDF, AI, EPS. Always provide the native layered file if you can.

Technical guidelines: resolution and minimum line widths

These numbers balance machine capability with real-world material limits.

• Raster resolution: 600–1200 DPI for scans; provide at least 800 pixels on the subject area for small lockets.
• Minimum line width: Aim for 0.3 mm (0.012 in) or thicker for engraving on precious metals. Some laser systems can register down to 0.15–0.2 mm, but those thin lines may wear or fill with patina over time.
• Minimum font size: If adding initials, keep text at least 4–6 pt converted to outlines; for script fonts, increase size and spacing.
• Safe margin: 1.5–2 mm from the edge to avoid clipping and edge polishing losses.

Step 5 — Design templates and mockups

Templates are your best friend. They show scale, safe areas, and hinge/closure placement so you don’t accidentally place a face across a hinge.

What a good template shows

• Actual inner diameter and outer bezel dimensions
• Safe margin and bleed lines
• Hinge and clasp locations
• Recommended DPI and file formats

How to mockup

1. Place your prepared image into the template at 100% scale.
2. Apply a slight vignette if the edges are uneven — this helps the eye focus on the face in the small format.
3. Generate a 3D preview if your jeweler offers it; in 2026 many shops use AI-driven previews that simulate metal reflectance and engraving contrast.

Tip: If a face looks cramped in the mockup, crop tighter or consider a three-quarter pose instead of full-body — eyes and expression read best.

Step 6 — Material choices and finish considerations

Material affects how an engraving reads and ages.

• Sterling silver: Excellent tonal contrast; will oxidize (which can deepen engraved detail). Consider an anti-tarnish finish for longevity.
• Gold (14k/18k): Warm look, softer metal may show wear. Engraving looks elegant but lines should be slightly bolder.
• Stainless steel: Very durable and hypoallergenic, but engraving contrast relies on surface finish (brushed vs. polished).
• Brass & bronze: Rich patina over time; excellent contrast when intentionally oxidized.
• Acrylic/wood inserts: Printed inserts allow color photos but are less heirloom than metal engraving.

Proofing and ordering: what to request

Never approve production without a proof. The single biggest regret we see is customers who skipped the proof and received a locket with a cropped eye or unreadable mouth.

Ask for

• High-res digital mockup at final size (showing safe margins)
• Photo of a test engraving on the chosen metal if possible (many artisans do a single test plate)
• Clear timeline for production & shipping plus insurance options for valuable metals

Case study: From scanned 1940s portrait to an 18 mm engraved locket

We recently transformed a 1940s passport-style portrait into an engraved heirloom. Here’s the short version of our process so you can replicate it:

1. Scanned the 2" x 2" black-and-white photo at 1200 DPI.
2. Cropped to an 18 mm circular template with a 2 mm safe margin.
3. Adjusted Curves to darken hair and slightly brighten the whites of the eyes.
4. Converted to a 35-line halftone for the laser raster process to retain face gradients.
5. Sent a digital mockup plus a photo of a stamped test plate to the client; after a minor brightness tweak we approved production.
6. The finished locket arrived with crisp eyes and a warm patina that brought out engraved depth. The client reported it became an immediate family keepsake.

Troubleshooting common problems

Blurry or indistinct faces

Try a higher-resolution scan or crop closer to the face and remove background noise. If the original is impossible to improve, consider a simplified silhouette or initials instead.

Too much detail lost after engraving

Convert to a halftone or stipple with larger dots, or switch to vector line art focusing on outlines and key facial features (eyes, mouth, nose bridge).

Lines are too thin and wear out

Increase stroke widths to at least 0.3 mm and choose a harder finish or deeper engraving. Ask the maker about engraving depth and expected wear on daily-use pieces.

Shipping, packaging, and long-term care

Small jewelry moves around in shipping. Request protective packaging and insured shipping for valuable pieces. For international orders, confirm customs documentation to avoid delays — by 2025 many artisan shops started offering simplified customs labels for jewelry to speed delivery. If you need fulfillment or on-demand packaging tools, see maker-focused fulfillment and checkout tool reviews for recommended kits.

For care: avoid harsh chemicals, keep lockets dry, and store with anti-tarnish strips for silver. If your engraved locket is a daily-wear item, ask about deeper engraving to withstand polishing and contact. For retail and aftercare merchandising ideas see guidance on creating high-value product aftercare.

Advanced tips and 2026 trends to consider

• AI cleanup and inpainting: By 2026, image repair tools using AI make it much easier to reconstruct missing areas of old photos. Use AI to rebuild faint eyes or soften damaged backgrounds before converting for engraving. See maker workflow templates for how shops integrate these services.
• Real-time engraving previews: Many platforms now offer AI-driven visualizations that simulate metal reflectance and engraving depth. Use these to judge readability before ordering.
• Micro-stippling and personalized textures: Small stipple patterns can create a photographic feel without requiring full grayscale engraving — a popular artisan trend in 2025–2026.
• Sustainable metals: Recycled silver and responsibly sourced gold are increasingly available. Ask your maker if they offer recycled options and how finishes might differ; heritage and quiet-luxury shops are increasingly advertising these materials.

Quick checklist before you hit “Order”

• Your image is sharp and cropped to the locket template
• Contrast adjusted and noise reduced
• Converted to the right format for the maker (TIFF/PNG for raster, SVG/PDF for vector)
• Minimum line width and safe margins respected
• You requested a digital proof and, if possible, a test engraving photo
• Shipping, insurance, and packaging instructions are confirmed

Final thoughts — making it truly yours

Engraved lockets are small in size but enormous in emotional value. The clarity of a face or the curve of a smile matters more than any embellishment. With careful photo prep, the right conversion process, and clear communication with your jeweler, you can create a keepsake that reads across generations.

"The best keepsakes feel inevitable — like they always belonged to the family."

Ready to create your engraved locket?

We’ve prepared printable templates and a step-by-step upload checklist to make it easy. If you’d like one-on-one help, our customization team can prep your image, send a proof, and arrange a test engraving option. Start your project today and turn that treasured portrait into an heirloom.

Call to action: Upload your photo or scan to begin, or contact our design team for a free file review and proof. Let’s make something your family will pass down.

Related Reading

• Field Review: Portable Checkout & Fulfillment Tools for Makers — PocketPrint, Parcel Lockers & Night‑Market Kits
• Sustainable Packaging and Cold Chain Tips for Perishable Samples in 2026
• Field Review: Compact Label Printers, Sticker Kits and POS Workflows for One‑Euro Sellers — 2026
• Future-Proofing Publishing Workflows: Modular Delivery & Templates-as-Code (useful for printable templates and upload checklists)
• Wheat Bags vs Traditional Hot-Water Bottles: Which Is Safer for Herbal Heat Therapy?
• BBC x YouTube Deal: What It Means for Streaming TV Clips, Exclusive Shorts, and Fan Channels
• SaaS Stack Audit: A step-by-step playbook to detect tool sprawl and cut costs
• Governance and Compliance for Micro Apps: A Checklist for Non‑Developer Builders
• Rechargeable Warmers and Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Disposable Heat Products