Week One June 9-13

BASIC METAL ENGRAVING

Learn basic hand engraving skills quickly in a friendly and organized environment. Using GRS equipment, you will study and execute fundamental engraving cuts on a variety of metals. This course includes a series of custom practice plates laser-marked with easy-to-follow designs that accelerate learning and help overcome the initial design challenge. Each class has been built around the individual instructor’s professional experience so every attendee will have personal access to their wealth of practical knowledge and unique expertise.

OBJECTIVES

• Correct setup of GRS equipment
• Operation of common classroom tools
• Tool sharpening, theory, and geometry
• Surface preparation for engraving
• Artwork layout and design principles
• Design transfer techniques
• Proper use of workholding fixtures and devices
• Business practices and pricing work (varies by instructor)
• Engraving scrolls, borders, letters, and numbers
• Shading techniques and background treatment
• Basics of metal inlay

CLASS PROJECTS

• Practice plates of varying metals
• Steel practice grip cap
• Steel practice floor plate
• Brass key tag

Week Two-Three June 16-20 | June 23-27

In weeks two and three, Lee Griffiths will guide you as you reinforce what you learned in the basic course. He will review your work and provide constructive feedback that you can use to develop your skills further.

Optional Week June 30-July 4

Optional week due to Independence Day holiday. Ben Bentvelzen will be available if you wish to use the classroom to study during this week.

Week Four July 7-11

Lettering for Engravers

Designed for jewelers and engravers who already have a basic engraving foundation, this course specializes in the design, layout, and execution of lettering, including standard, highly decorative, and other styles. It emphasizes efficiency by using the latest GRS power-assisted tools and versatility by teaching techniques that work on a variety of metal surfaces and workpieces. Other forms of jewelry engraving may also be covered if there is time and student interest.

OBJECTIVES

• Overview of tools used in this course
• How graver shape and geometry affect lettering
• Alignment, spacing, and layout of letters
• Shading and texturing letters
• Using technology to assist layout
• Workholding techniques, fixtures, and materials
• Applying serif and sans-serif letters
• Transfer techniques
• Lettering: Bright Cut Script, Ribbon-Cut Script, Leaf Script, Block, Roman, and Micro
•  Inside Ring Engraving
• Monograms

CLASS PROJECTS

• Brass and steel practice plates
• Brass practice rings

Week Five-Six July 14-18 | July 21-25

During weeks five and six, you will continue refining and practicing what you have learned so far.

Week Seven July 28-August 1

Scroll Design & Engraving

This course focuses primarily on the fundamentals of scroll design and shading. With instructor guidance, students will learn how to dissect complex scroll designs into more manageable, easy-to-understand parts. Students will also learn about common scroll design mistakes and how to avoid them. Once the foundation is set, students will be encouraged to develop their own scroll designs to use in an engraving project they can truly call their own.

OBJECTIVES

• Proper scroll design & shading techniques
• Breakdown & study other engravers work to understand the foundation for proper scroll design
• Design, layout, and transfer solutions
• Create a balanced design and composition
• Create depth & enhance contrast
• Learn about background removal and treatments,
• Scroll anatomy & terminology
• Using intertwined & overlapped scrolls, leaf shapes, folds, flowers & borders

CLASS PROJECTS

• Knives

Week Eight August 4-8

Begin to integrate all the techniques you have learned throughout the program.

Week Nine August 11-15

During the last week of the program, you’ll work with your instructor to design and create a capstone project that showcases your new skills and reflects your goals. Your work on this project will be the culmination of everything you have learned during your study and provide you with a valuable portfolio piece.

No prerequisites

Deposit and Payment:
Total fee: $9,500 (includes all course materials)

• A deposit of $2,500 is required to guarantee enrollment and reserve your seat in the program.
• Incremental payments are accepted at any time by contacting GRS.
• The final balance must be paid in full by May 9, 2025.

Cancellation Policy:

• • On or before May 9, 2025:
    • You may cancel your reservation and receive a refund of 50% of the deposit plus any remaining balance paid.
  • After May 9, 2025:
    • The full deposit is forfeited. Any payments beyond the deposit will be refunded.
  • After June 5, 2025:
    • Cancellations are not accepted. Failure to attend the program will be considered a no-show, resulting in the forfeiture of 100% of the total balance.

For questions or assistance, please contact GRS at 800-835-3519, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.