Carving vs. Engraving — What's the Difference?

To shape by cutting into material.

To etch designs for decorative purposes.

To form by cutting parts of a whole.

To create artwork by etching into surfaces.

To produce designs by cutting into a surface.

To incise a design onto a hard surface.

To make or shape by cutting.

To imprint by cutting or carving.

To create sculptures by removing material.

To cut or carve in order to make prints.

Carving is the act of using tools to shape something from a material by scraping away portions of that material. The technique can be applied to any material that is solid enough to hold a form even when pieces have been removed from it, and yet soft enough for portions to be scraped away with available tools.

Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, usually flat surface by cutting grooves into it with a burin. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing images on paper as prints or illustrations; these images are also called "engravings".

The cutting of material such as stone or wood to form a figure or design.

The art or technique of one that engraves.

A figure or design formed by this kind of cutting.

A design or text engraved on a surface.

(sculpture) A carved object.

An engraved surface for printing.

The act or craft of producing a carved object.

A print made from an engraved plate or block.

Present participle of carve

(art) The practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it.

(snowboarding) Executing turns without pivoting.

(printing) The art of producing an image from an engraved printing form, typically made of copper.

The act or art of one who carves.

(countable) A print produced from an engraving.

A piece of decorative work cut in stone, wood, or other material.

(music) The art of drawing music notation at high quality, particularly on a computer.

The whole body of decorative sculpture of any kind or epoch, or in any material; as, the Italian carving of the 15th century.

Present participle of engrave

A sculpture created by carving (as wood or ivory or stone)

The act or art of producing upon hard material incised or raised patterns, characters, lines, and the like; especially, the art of producing such lines, etc., in the surface of metal plates or blocks of wood. Engraving is used for the decoration of the surface itself; also, for producing an original, from which a pattern or design may be printed on paper.

Cutting away parts to create a desired shape

That which is engraved; an engraved plate.

Creating figures or designs in three dimensions

An impression from an engraved plate, block of wood, or other material; a print.

A print made from an engraving

A block or plate that has been engraved

Making engraved or etched plates and printing designs from them

Engraving involves physically carving into the material, while etching uses chemical processes to create designs.

Yes, carving can be automated using CNC machines which replicate designs in various materials.

Common materials include wood, stone, and ice.

Yes, both are highly respected forms of visual art, each requiring specific skills and techniques.

Engraving allows for finer, more precise detail, especially useful in printmaking and jewelry.

Products include sculptures, decorative reliefs, and furniture.

In carving, the type of material affects the ease of removal and the final appearance, with softer materials like wood being easier to shape than harder ones like marble. In engraving, material choice affects the tooling and the level of detail possible, with harder materials allowing for finer, more durable lines.

No, engraving is also widely used in industrial applications, such as creating serial numbers on tools and parts, and in fashion, for customizing accessories and jewelry.

Traditional tools include chisels, knives, and gouges.

The main purposes include creating art for prints, personalizing items, and decorative detailing.

Modern techniques include laser engraving, which uses lasers to achieve high precision and detail.

Safety in both carving and engraving involves proper handling of tools and materials. Protective eyewear is essential to guard against flying debris in carving and fine particles in engraving. Additionally, ensuring that tools are kept sharp and handled correctly minimizes the risk of accidents.

Yes, both processes can be automated. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines can carve intricate designs into wood, stone, and other materials, while laser engravers can etch extremely detailed patterns onto metals, glass, and other hard surfaces.

Mastering carving generally involves learning to handle three-dimensional perspectives and the physical properties of various materials, which can be quite challenging and time-consuming. Engraving requires precision and control over fine details, demanding steady hands and patience, with a potentially steep learning curve depending on the complexity of the designs.