Letters for a Gravestone – How to Choose the Material, Font, Height, Color and Mounting
Short answer: for gravestones, applied letters made of stainless steel work best – they do not rust, need no lacquering and are available in four finishes (polished, satin, black, gold). Set the surname in a legible font at 5–6 cm height, dates one size smaller (3–4 cm), and the sentiment no smaller than 2.5 cm. On a vertical plaque, choose mounting on pins.
Letters are the most important element of a gravestone – they are read for decades, so the choice is decided by the durability of the material and legibility from the path, and only then by fashion. Below we go through all the decisions in the order in which it is worth making them.
From our catalog
Steel gravestone letters (Marco) classic, versatile
€4.50
Silver grave letters (Sofia), delicate and slender
€4.50
Stainless Steel Gravestone Letters Greta
€3.04
Stainless Steel Tombstone Letters (Luca), Classic, Simple
€4.50
Modern Steel Cemetery Letters Luna
€3.60
Modern inox tombstone letters (Modern) minimalist
€3.60Mounted letters or letters carved (engraved) in the stone?
| Mounted letters (metal) | Letters carved / engraved in the stone | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | three-dimensional, reflect light, clearly visible from a distance | flat, recessed into the slab; legibility depends on the paint or gilding in the groove |
| Durability | stainless steel does not need to be refinished | the stone is durable, but the paint or gilding has to be touched up every few years |
| Changes over the years | it is easy to add further details in the same typeface | a new line requires a stonemason to work on site |
| Installation | sold by the piece, installed by yourself or by a stonemason | stonemason service only |
On new gravestones and in restorations, applied letters are chosen more and more often, especially where an inscription has to be extended with another person. We compare the costs of both options in the article cost of an inscription on a gravestone.
Which material should you choose for the letters?
- Stainless steel – it does not corrode, does not lose its colour and needs no lacquer. At Zecero it is covered by a 10-year corrosion warranty.
- Brass – gives a warm, gold tone, but without lacquer it darkens, and over time the lacquer dulls and flakes. If a gold color matters to you, consider a gold finish on stainless steel.
- Bronze – noble and heavy, it gradually develops a patina; it is the choice for those who want a dark gold, "aging" effect. You will find a comparison in the article bronze or stainless steel for a gravestone.
- Plastics – the cheapest option, but they yellow and become brittle in sun and frost; in a cemetery they usually last only a few seasons.
Why good stainless steel does not rust, and where the rusty spots on cheap products come from – we explain in the article stainless steel in the cemetery – facts and myths.
Typeface: serif, sans-serif or script?
- Serif (e.g. Greta, Cezar) – classic and dignified, best suited to traditional gravestones and surnames.
- Sans-serif (e.g. Luna, Modern, Riva) – simple and modern, very legible on light and flamed stones.
- Script (Corsivo separate and Corsivo joined) – elegant, but less legible; they work best for epitaphs and first names rather than dates.
We write more about choosing a typeface in the guide fonts for a gravestone. You will find all the typefaces in the category tombstone letters.
What letter height should you choose for a gravestone?
| Inscription element | Typical height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 5–6 cm (8 cm on large slabs) | the largest line on the slab |
| Dates | 3–4 cm | about one third smaller than the surname |
| Epitaph, additional line | 2,5–3 cm | no less than 2.5 cm – otherwise it disappears at a distance of a few metres |
| The abbreviation "Ś.P." or a symbol | same as the dates or the surname | you add it in the calculator with a single field |
Leave a gap between lines at least equal to the height of the smaller letter, and a margin of about 8–10 cm from the edge of the slab. At Zecero, the printed fonts (e.g. Greta, Cezar, Modern) come in heights of 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 cm, and the script fonts in 2–3 sizes given as a capital/lowercase pair (e.g. Corsivo 4/2.5, 5/3 and 7/4 cm). Before ordering, print the inscription at 1:1 scale, hold it against the slab and judge it from a few meters away.
Color and finish
The rule is simple: the letters should contrast with the stone. Silver polished and satin finishes look best on dark granites, black on light stones, gold on black and graphite granite. It is worth keeping the cross, letters and accessories in one finish. Details, with a table matching finishes to stone: how to choose the color of tombstone letters.
Mounting: pins or tape?
Letters on pins (studs) are glued into holes drilled in the stone – this is the most durable, invisible fixing, recommended especially for vertical slabs. Double-sided tape lets you mount letters without drilling on a smooth, clean surface. With Zecero letters, both systems are included in the price, and we enclose PDF instructions with the order. The step-by-step procedure is described in the guide mounting letters on a gravestone.
The most common mistakes when choosing letters
- Letters too small in the epitaph and dates – the inscription cannot be read even from the path.
- An ornate font for the surname and dates – script digits can be confusing.
- A color with no contrast, e.g. silver on light gray stone.
- Mixing finishes without a plan (polished cross, black letters, gold accessories).
- No room for the details of the next person in a family grave.
- Mounting with adhesive only on a vertical slab – after a few winters the letters fall off.
- Letters made of unverified material, with no corrosion warranty.
How to order letters step by step
- Choose the font and finish on the product page.
- In the calculator, enter the text: the abbreviation “Ś.P.”, first name, surname, dates, epitaph and any additional lines – you choose the letter height for each line.
- Choose the mounting system: pins or tape.
- Check the layout in the visualization (if the page of the chosen font offers it, e.g. Greta, Cezar, Corsivo) – you will see the inscription on a photo of your own gravestone.
- Place the order; the price is recalculated automatically, and the lead time is shown next to the selected variant.
Frequently asked questions
Which letters for a gravestone are the most durable?
Stainless steel letters cut from a single sheet – they do not rust and need no varnishing or painting. In practice their durability also depends on mounting: pins glued into the stone will hold the letters for decades.
Can I buy more letters in the same font years later?
Yes. For applied letters, simply order the missing characters in the same font, height and finish – which is why it is worth noting these details with your first order.
Which letters should I choose for black granite?
Silver polished and gold give the best contrast. On polished black granite, shiny letters look especially striking; satin gives a calmer effect. More in the article gravestone accessories for black granite.
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