Stone Lettering
Our team of stone lettering experts and highly skilled & has years of professional experience. Our letting work is meticulous & detailed.
What is Stone Lettering?
Stone lettering is a timeless form of art. Each letter is carefully carved by hand and it can take up-to 1 hour to complete one letter. The design and finished product cannot be replicated by using a machine. The skill of lettering takes many years to master, here at O’Flaherty Stone we are master lettering professionals. We invested many years shadowing Ireland’s best lettering mentors. Our owner, Killian, was mentored by Tom Little who is a well-known Irish lettering Master. Killian is an 8th Gen stonemason and although stonemasonry is in his blood, he is the first stone cutter. Learn more about the fascinating O’Flaherty Family below.
WHAT WE OFFER
Hand-Cut Lettering
From €85 per letter
Our experts offer two stone lettering options – Hand-cut Lettering or Sandblasted Lettering. You can decide between stone lettering that lasts 30 years (sandblasted) or 3,000 years (hand-cut). We handcraft the design of each letter prior to any stone carving work. We then hand-carve each letter with exact precision in our natural granite stone. Our granite is sourced from Ballyknockan in the Wicklow Mountains. Each lettering piece is a timeless form of art. Alternatively, we offer a more cost-effective solution that involves sandblasting. Get in touch to discuss your options.
The Art of Hand-Cut Stone Lettering
Stone Carving
Lettering experts are both stone carvers & designers. They have the skills to create stunning designs that last a lifetime. The composition of each letter is uniquely determined by the master & is different for each project.
Calligraphy
The art of lettering begins with designing each individual letter by hand. The expert must have an in-depth knowledge of the art of calligraphy. The design of each letter is meticulously predetermined before starting the project.
Precision
Designing and hand-carving each letter requires an immense amount of concentration & precision. Precision links great design and skilled carving abilities. A true lettering expert can merge the two skills via precision to produce a timeless piece.
Why You Should Invest in Hand-cut Lettering?
We offer two options for Stone Lettering: Hand-cut Lettering and Stone blasted Lettering. The primary difference of each lettering technique lies in the longevity of the two. A sandblasted letter lasts roughly 30 years compared to Hand-Cut Lettering which can last longer than 3,000 years. Hand-cut letters are exactly what it says on the tin in that a stonemason will cut each individual letter and hence the cost of hand-cutting is considerably more than machine-cut/ sandblasted. Sandblasted letters are arrived at by producing a computer-generated stencil which is then placed on the stone and then blasted by minute particles of grit to form the inscription.
Why Does Hand-Cut Letting Cost More Than Sandblasting Lettering?
past, it is like we can sense the craftsmanship behind the art. Today, we offer both Sandblasted lettering and Hand-cut Lettering, but we are aware of the issues surrounding blasting as they need continuous up-keep and need to be re-blasted. You can take one look at a headstone from the 1700s where you can still see the inscription of the Hand-cut lettering clearly and perfectly.
Stone Lettering Techniques
V-CUT LETTERING
V-Cut is largely the most important technique behind lettering. This lettering approach is the quickest and simplest method of stone lettering. ‘Chasing, ‘Stabbing’ and ‘Chopping’ are the primary techniques commonly used. Stone experts tend to begin their lettering journey using the ‘Chasing’ technique and move onto ‘Chopping’ and ‘Stabbing’ as their skills increase. Here at O’Flaherty Stone, we are Stone Lettering experts. We are fully trained and skilled to use all the lettering techniques.
RELIEF LETTERING
Relief Lettering is a stone lettering technique that produces letters that stand proud from the stone. They appear to rise from the stone. Using a range of tools, skills and approaches, relief carving produces reware and satisfaction when you stand back and see the light and shadow created by the carving. The approach is an effective method of lettering that brings the work to life. Giving the final product an unmatched finish.
Sandblasting Service
At O’Flaherty Stone, we are proud to offer sandblasting service, which is a precise & efficient method of stone lettering and inscription. Based in Ballyknockan, Co. Wicklow, and working with locally quarried Ballyknockan granite, our family has been crafting stone for eight generations. Sandblasting allows us to create clean and accurate lettering at a more affordable price, making it a popular choice for headstones, plaques and architectural features.
What is Stoneblasting?
Stoneblasting, also known as sandblasting, is a method of etching designs, names or inscriptions onto stone using a high-pressure stream of fine grit. The process involves applying a stencil to the surface and then blasting it with abrasive material to carve sharp and precise lettering. It is faster and more affordable than traditional hand-cut methods, making it a popular choice for memorials, plaques and architectural stonework where a clean and modern finish is desired.
Precision
Sandblasting creates crisp and accurate lettering for a clean, professional finish.
Efficiency
The process is quicker than hand-cut methods, making it ideal for projects with tight timelines.
Affordability
It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional hand-cut stone lettering.
Versatility
Sandblasting can be used on headstones, plaques and a wide range of architectural stonework.
Our Work
Why Choose O'Flaherty Stone?
We are 8th-generation Stone Masons/Stone Cutters based in Ballyknockan (“The Granite Village”). Nested in the Wicklow mountains, the O’Flaherty Family continues our historical family stone-cutting practices, keeping The Granite Village traditions alive. Our owner, Killian O’Flaherty, comes from a long line of stonemasons and is the family’s first stone cutter. He takes pride in his commitment to modernising the traditional industry.
Our Awards
Features
& Events
- Trinity College Dublin. Spoke at the Heritage Ireland 2030 Conference
- 2024 Guild Moot UK – Stonemasons Guild of St. Stephen- Attended and spoke at.
- 2024 – Newbridge House – Skills Demonstration
- 2023 – To mark the bi-centenary of Ballyknockan Granite Quarries during National Heritage week we did a 2hr walking tour of quarries and statues and a stone cutting demo.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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Get in Touch
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