Joyce,
I would farm the wooden pens out to someone with a laser.
You can rotary engrave wooden pens, but depending on the type of wood and its grain, you run the risk of the "islands" (middles of "O"s, "R"s, "A"s) popping out.
If there's no contrast, when engraved, you'll have to use something like paint to create that contrast. Once again, depending on the type of wood and its grain, paint may get into the wood's "pores" making for an unattractive result.
For metal pens, your typical diamond graver will be fine.
For coated pens, depending on the thickness of the coating, a 90 degree diamond graver will "pierce" the coating, as opposed to a 120 degree diamond graver possibly "chipping" the coating free of the base metal.
Plastic pens, i.e. Mont Blanc, will have to be routed and color-filled.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA |
