Metal Engraving near Plymouth, Devon: Hip Flasks, Dog Tags, Tumblers & More

Can you get stainless steel engraved near Plymouth, Devon? Yes. Moon Groves now marks bare metal on a fibre laser at our Ivybridge workshop: engraved hip flasks, dog tags, tumblers, keyrings and tools, plus colour marking on stainless steel. Every job starts with a free digital proof. Orders are taken now and made from late October.

For years we've had to tell people our CO₂ laser can't mark bare steel or aluminium. That's changed. With a fibre laser now in the workshop at The Clay Factory, the hip flask, dog tag or tumbler you've been meaning to personalise can be done here, just up the A38 from Plymouth, Devon. Orders are taken now and made from late October, in good time for Christmas.

Engraved hip flasks, dog tags, tumblers & keyrings: what we mark

What people ask us about most. Orders taken now, made from late October.

Engraved hip flasks

A name, date, initials or a short line on a stainless steel hip flask, for birthdays, retirements and groomsmen. Send us your own flask, or ask us about a blank and we'll quote. Made from late October.

Dog tags & pet ID tags

Your dog's name on the front, your phone number and postcode on the back, marked crisp and clear on a stainless steel tag. In the UK, a dog in a public place has to wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it or on a tag (Control of Dogs Order 1992), so a clear, readable tag matters. Military-style neck tags work too. Made from late October.

Tumblers, travel cups & bottles

Insulated tumblers, travel cups and bottles with a name, logo or pattern, on bare stainless steel or powder-coated finishes. On a branded cup we add your design, not the maker's logo. Made from late October.

Engraved keyrings

Small, personal and easy to post. Stainless steel and metal keyrings with initials, a date, a car registration or a few words. Made from late October.

Tool marking for trades

Police crime-prevention advice suggests marking tools in more than one place so they can be identified if stolen. We can mark your name, company or postcode onto spanners, levels and other metal tools. Drop a batch off at the Redlake Trading Estate (message first) and we'll quote. Orders taken now, made from late October.

Forces kit, tags & small business marking

Service numbers on stainless steel mugs and bottles, alongside our existing military kit marking for anodised and powder-coated kit. Plus asset tags, nameplates, serial numbers, QR codes and logos for businesses. Stainless steel jobs made from late October.

Stainless steel engraving & colour marking on stainless steel: what works

A quick, honest guide, because the metal and its finish change the result:

• Stainless steel: our main metal for the fibre laser. Flasks, tags, tumblers, bottles, keyrings and tools. Made from late October.
• Other bare metals such as aluminium, brass and titanium: these can usually be marked, but finishes vary, so send a photo and we'll tell you honestly what to expect. Made from late October.
• Anodised and powder-coated metal: we already mark these on our CO₂ laser, and that carries on as normal. See our anodised and powder-coated metal engraving.

Colour marking on stainless steel (and titanium)

The fibre laser can create colours on the surface of stainless steel and titanium. It works on those two metals and no others, so we can't do coloured marks on aluminium, brass or anything else. Colours vary with the grade and finish of the steel, so we may ask to test on a spare or a hidden spot first, and we'll show you what to expect on your proof. Orders taken now, made from late October.

Engraving or marking?

Most people say "engraved", and so do we. Strictly, the fibre laser mostly marks metal: it changes the top layer rather than cutting a groove, giving fine, crisp detail for small text, logos and QR codes.

Caring for your marked metal: hand wash

Hand wash marked metal in warm, soapy water with a soft cloth, then dry it. Keep it out of the dishwasher and avoid scourers, wire wool and harsh cleaners, which can dull the metal and the mark. Treat colour-marked pieces gently.

How ordering works

1. Message us. Send a photo of your item (or ask us to source one), plus the wording or logo you want. A file, sketch or a few words is fine.
2. Get your free proof. We'll draw up a digital artwork proof and send it by WhatsApp or email, with a quote. Changes are free.
3. Approve it. Nothing is marked until you say yes.
4. We make it from late October. Your job goes on the fibre laser at our Ivybridge workshop. We'll confirm timings when we send your proof, so tell us if you're working to a date.

We don't publish prices for metal jobs yet because every item is different. Send a photo or message us for a quote.

Stainless steel engraving near me: collection in Ivybridge or free UK delivery

We're at Units RL19-20, The Clay Factory, Redlake Trading Estate, Ivybridge PL21 0EZ, about fifteen minutes up the A38 from Plymouth, Devon. Drop-off and collection are welcome, but the site has secure gates, so please message us on WhatsApp first. We're open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and until 8pm on Wednesdays. Further afield? Free UK delivery on all orders. Details are on our contact page.

Metal engraving: your questions answered

Can you engrave a hip flask I've already bought?

Yes. Send a photo first so we can check the metal and finish. If it's stainless steel, we'll send a free proof and quote. Orders taken now, made from late October.

Can you engrave stainless steel dog tags with my phone number?

Yes. A name on the front and contact details on the back is the usual layout. Send us the wording and we'll proof it. Made from late October.

Can you do colour engraving on stainless steel?

Yes. Colour marking works on stainless steel and titanium, and not on other metals. Colours depend on the steel, so we'll show you what to expect first. Orders taken now, made from late October.

Can you engrave aluminium or brass?

Often, yes. Results depend on the finish, so send a photo and we'll tell you honestly what will work. Coloured marks aren't possible on these metals. Made from late October.

Can I put my engraved tumbler in the dishwasher?

We recommend you hand wash it. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth keep the metal and the mark looking good.

Can you put our company logo on tools or tumblers?

Yes, if it's your own logo or you have permission to use it. Send a vector file or a clear image and we'll set it up. Orders taken now, made from late October.

How much does metal engraving cost?

It depends on the item, the size of the design and how many you need. Send a photo or message us for a quote. Your proof is free.

How long will my metal order take?

Metal jobs are made from late October. We'll confirm the timing for your order when we send your proof.

Can I drop off and collect in Ivybridge?

Yes. Message us on WhatsApp before you come, as the site has secure gates. Or use our free UK delivery. Metal orders are made from late October.

Get your free proof on WhatsApp

Got a flask, a tag, a tumbler or a box of tools? WhatsApp a photo to 07790 942348 or email Hello@MoonGroves.com, tell us what you'd like on it, and we'll send a free digital proof and a quote. Orders taken now, made from late October.

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