Two techniques and the difference between them
Photo ceramics
A photo ceramic is an image fired into a porcelain or ceramic plaque at a high temperature. Once fired, the picture becomes part of the glaze: sun, rain and frost do not fade it, and the surface is as smooth as glass and easy to wash. Photo ceramics can be black and white, sepia or full colour, and they can be fixed to almost any memorial: granite, marble, basalt or a metal cross. The most common shapes are an oval and a rectangle, often within a gold or silver frame.
Engraving into stone
With engraving, the portrait is cut directly into the surface of the stone, either by laser or by hand with a diamond-tipped tool. On polished black granite the engraved lines appear light, and the photograph emerges on the stone with near-photographic precision. Because such a portrait is part of the stone itself, it cannot fall off or be stolen, and it lasts as long as the headstone does. Engraving looks best on black granite; on marble and other light stone we recommend a photo ceramic or a hand-carved bas-relief.
| Feature | Photo ceramic | Engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | black and white, sepia or colour | monochrome, in the tone of the stone |
| Suitable stone | any, and metal crosses too | best on black granite |
| Size | usually from 9 x 12 to 24 x 30 cm | anything from small to life-size |
| Adding to an existing headstone | easy, without removing the memorial | possible on site with portable equipment |
Prices
| Work | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ceramic, oval or rectangle | 13 x 18 cm, black and white or sepia, fitting included | from 120 GEL |
| Colour or large photo ceramic | from 18 x 24 cm, framed | from 180 GEL |
| Engraved portrait on granite | up to 30 x 40 cm, with photo retouching | from 250 GEL |
| Large full-length engraving | figure, background, landscape, church | from 500 GEL |
| Inscription and epitaph | engraved and filled with gold or silver | 3 GEL per character |
| Restoring an old photo | scratches, stains, creases, sharpness | from 40 GEL |
| A new name on an existing headstone | craftsman's visit, engraving on site | 150 GEL for the visit and 3 GEL for each character |
Choosing a suitable photo
Most families do not have one perfect photograph: one is old and damaged, another is a group shot, a third was taken on a phone in poor light. That is not a problem. Our designer can work from almost any source, and the main thing we need is a face that is large enough and in focus. A few tips:
- Send several photos, not just one. Often the face is clear in one picture and the clothes or background in another, and we combine them into a single portrait.
- Scan a paper print or photograph it with your phone in daylight, without glare. Take it out of its frame so the glass does not reflect.
- From a group photo we isolate the face and replace the background with a neutral one.
- Clothing can be changed: if the family would like their loved one shown in a suit or a smart dress, the designer will do this carefully while keeping the face natural.
We send the family a proof of the retouched portrait in advance, and production begins only after your written approval. If something is not right - the face looks too "rejuvenated", say, or the eye colour is wrong - we keep correcting it until the result is exactly as you remember them.
Inscription and epitaph
Beyond the bare facts, families often leave a few words on the stone that express the person's character or their own feelings. It might be a verse from the Psalms or the Gospels, a line from a favourite poem, or simply "Loved and remembered". The family chooses the text, and we help with the typeface and placement so the inscription sits in harmony with the portrait. For Georgian lettering there are several typefaces, including Asomtavruli (the ancient capital letters), and on request the inscription can be made in Russian or another language. For ideas, see our article on epitaphs.
Fixing and protection
There are two ways to fix a photo ceramic to a memorial. With surface mounting, the plaque is bonded with a special two-part, all-weather adhesive and stays in place for decades. Recessed mounting is more secure: a socket the size of the plaque is cut into the stone, the photo is set into it and the edge is sealed. A portrait fixed this way is practically impossible to remove, which protects it against theft and vandalism, and because the surface is flush with the stone, dirt does not collect around it. For a new headstone we usually suggest the recessed option.
Colour or black and white
Black and white or sepia photo ceramics are the classic choice and suit any stone. Colour shows the person as if alive, with the true colour of their eyes, hair and clothes, and it is often chosen for young people and children. A colour image is fired as well and does not fade in the sun, but it is harder to produce and costs more. Before you decide, the designer will show you both versions on the headstone so you can see how each would look.
Adding or replacing a portrait on an older headstone
Often a family already has a memorial and wants to add a new portrait, for example when another relative has been buried in the family grave, or when an old photo ceramic has fallen off and been lost. A photo ceramic can be fixed to an existing headstone on site with all-weather adhesive. Engraving on site is also possible, using portable equipment, provided the stone has a polished surface and there is enough room. We refresh the colour of old, faded lettering so the new and old inscriptions look the same.
Other images that can be engraved
Laser engraving on black granite is not limited to the face. Many families add an image beside or beneath the portrait that tells something about the person's life: the church in their home village, a mountain landscape, the sea, a vineyard, a tool or a book. A doctor's headstone might carry a medical symbol, a musician's a favourite instrument, a hunter's or fisherman's a scene from nature. The composition is created together with the designer, and the family sees it on the visualisation before anything is made. We choose the depth and contrast so the lines remain easy to read in rain and in shade.
Replacing an old photo ceramic
On older graves you often see cracked, faded or half-detached photos made decades ago with cheap methods. In such cases we carefully remove the old plaque, scan the image, restore it digitally and make a new photo ceramic of the same size or slightly larger. If the family no longer has the original photograph, we can work from the image on the headstone itself, as long as the face is still recognisable.
Production time
- Receiving the photos: by WhatsApp, by email, or as originals brought to our office.
- Retouching and restoration: one to three days, after which the proof is sent to the family for approval.
- Production: one to two weeks for a photo ceramic; engraving is done as part of making the headstone, or on site in a single day.
- Fitting: on a new headstone in the workshop, on an existing one at the cemetery, in warm and dry weather.
Frequently asked questions
Photo ceramic plaque for a headstone - what does it cost?
An oval or rectangle of 13 x 18 cm starts at 120 GEL, and a colour or larger one at 180 GEL, fitting included. Restoring an old photo adds from 40 GEL.
Will the photo fade in the sun?
No. In a photo ceramic the image is fired at high temperature and becomes part of the glaze, while an engraving is part of the stone. Both techniques last for decades.
Can an old, damaged photo be used?
Yes. We remove scratches, stains and creases, sharpen the image and send you a proof for approval before anything is produced.
Which is better: photo ceramic or engraving?
Engraving gives the crispest result on black granite, while photo ceramics suit light stone and marble. If you want a portrait in colour, only a photo ceramic can provide it.
Could someone steal the photo from the headstone?
With recessed mounting, where the photo sits in a socket cut into the stone and is sealed, it is practically impossible to remove. An engraved portrait is part of the stone and cannot be stolen.
Can we send the photo from abroad?
Yes, everything can be done remotely: you send the photo, receive the proof, approve it in writing, and on the day of fitting we send you a picture of the finished portrait on the headstone.
A portrait on a headstone is the family's memory in visible form, and it should look exactly as you remember your loved one. Photos can be sent by WhatsApp or Viber to +995 568 33 03 18; our designer will prepare a proof inside three days, and production starts only when you yourselves tell us that this is the face you remember.