Monument workshops and funeral service companies face a recurring operational challenge: portrait engraving on granite is one of the most requested services in memorial work, but it’s also one of the hardest to scale. A skilled manual engraver can take many hours to complete a single detailed portrait, and finding or training that level of craftsmanship is increasingly difficult. Automated stone engraving equipment has emerged as a practical answer, and the Master Stone machine from manufacturer Mprint-dtg is one of the more established options built specifically for this kind of work.
The Core Technology
The Master Stone doesn’t use a laser. Instead, it relies on a diamond needle that strikes the stone surface with thousands of precise, controlled impacts, chipping away microscopic amounts of material to form an image from light and shadow — similar in principle to how a halftone photograph is built from tiny dots. This impact-based method is particularly effective on dark, polished granite, the material most commonly chosen for headstones, where the manufacturer notes it produces exceptionally strong visual contrast between the engraved image and the surrounding polished surface.
Operators can choose between point, amplitude, and combined engraving modes depending on the level of detail and shading required, which is what allows the machine to reproduce photographic-quality portraits rather than simple line engravings.
Specifications and Workflow
The machine covers a 700 × 500 mm working area, with engraving depth adjustable from 0.1 to 0.5 mm. It connects via USB or WiFi and runs on standard Windows systems (7 through 11) using included engraving software. Because the unit is designed to sit on top of the stone rather than require the stone to be loaded into an enclosed bed, workshops aren’t limited by the size or shape of the material — a meaningful advantage when working with large headstones or irregular memorial pieces.
Beyond Headstones
While memorial portraits and inscriptions are the primary application, the same equipment is also used for personalized stone gifts like engraved coasters and trays, decorative landscaping elements, and artistic wall panels on granite, marble, and glass — giving workshops an additional revenue stream outside of funeral services.
Cost, Package, and Support
The Master Stone is priced at €5,000, excluding tax, and includes the machine, a spare bearing, power and USB cables, a diamond needle, the engraving software, a user manual, plus setup assistance and operator training from the manufacturer. Standard workshop safety measures — eye protection, hearing protection, and ventilation for stone dust — are recommended during operation, as with any impact-engraving process.
With more than 17 years in the printing and engraving equipment industry, Mprint-dtg supports customers directly via phone, WhatsApp, Messenger, and email, and provides full product details, sample engravings, and ordering information on its official site.