Soundwave and Fingerprint Engravings: Gifts Made From Something Only They Have
A voice, a heartbeat, a fingerprint. Here's how to turn something only one person has into a keepsake.
Some of the best gifts aren't pictures of a person. They're pieces of them. A voice saying "I love you," a baby's first words, a fingerprint pressed in ink. These can be turned into something you can hold and hang on a wall.
What a soundwave engraving is
A soundwave engraving takes a short audio recording and turns it into a line graphic, the same shape you see on a phone when you're recording a voice message. The shape is engraved on wood, acrylic, or slate, usually with a few words or a name underneath. It looks like abstract art, and only the person who knows what it is can read it.
Fingerprints and handprints
A fingerprint is a pattern nobody else has. A thumbprint from a baby, a parent, or a couple can be engraved as a small design on a keychain, ornament, or plaque. It works well with a name and a date.
What makes a good recording for a soundwave?
Short and clear. A few seconds of one voice in a quiet room usually works best. Background noise and overlapping voices make the graphic look messy. Send the audio file to us instead of a screen recording, since that gives us the best quality to work with.
Can you use a loved one's voicemail?
Many people have a voicemail they've saved for years from someone they lost. If you have the audio file, we can look at it and tell you what's workable. It's one of the more meaningful memorial gifts we can think of, so we treat those requests with care.
How clear does a fingerprint need to be?
A clean ink print on white paper, scanned or photographed flat, works best. Smudges and partial prints lose detail in the engraving. Send us a couple of tries and we'll pick the best one.
What pieces work best?
Wood plaques, ornaments, and keychains are common. Acrylic gives a cleaner, modern look. Tell us what you're picturing and the size you have in mind, and we'll tell you how it will come out.
Send us the recording or the print and a few words about who it's for, and we'll tell you what's possible.