Mounting letters on a gravestone step by step – pins, adhesive, tape and template

Short answer: Letters on a vertical tablet are most durably mounted on pins (studs): drill holes through a 1:1 template, fill them with a two-part adhesive for stone and metal, set the letters and leave them to fully cure (usually 24 h). Mounting with double-sided tape, without drilling, is possible on a smooth, clean and dry surface. The whole job takes one afternoon.

Pins or tape – which system to choose?

With Zecero letters, both systems are included in the price, and every order comes with an illustrated PDF mounting guide. Very thin, openwork elements (e.g. epigraphs) are mounted on pins only.

Tools and materials

• a 1:1 scale mounting template – you will prepare it in letter printing program (the tool is available after logging in to your account in the shop);
• drill (without hammer action on polished stone) and a diamond or granite drill bit of the diameter given in the instructions;
• two-component adhesive for stone and metal (epoxy or chemical anchor) with a mixing nozzle and applicator gun;
• painter's tape, spirit level, tape measure, pencil;
• isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth for degreasing;
• protective gloves and safety glasses – granite dust is sharp.

Mounting on pins step by step

1. Plan the inscription. Tape the template in place with painter's tape, check the lines and margins with a spirit level (approx. 8–10 cm from the edge). Assess the layout from 3–4 metres away.
2. Mark and drill the holes through the template. Depth = pin length + 2–3 mm allowance. Keep the drill perpendicular, without hammering, and cool it with water when drilling hard granite.
3. Clean out the holes and degrease the pins and the back of the letters with alcohol – dust and grease are the most common cause of poor adhesion.
4. Fill the holes with adhesive to about 2/3 of the depth; for larger elements, also apply adhesive in spots to the back.
5. Set the letters in place, press them down and adjust their position while the adhesive is still workable. Remove any excess right away, while it is fresh.
6. Allow the full curing time specified by the adhesive manufacturer (usually 24 h at a temperature above zero) before you wash the tablet.

Mounting with tape, step by step

1. Wash the headstone, dry it and thoroughly degrease the mounting area with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Mark the lines of text with masking tape or a template.
3. Peel the protective film off the tape on the letter, without touching the adhesive with your fingers.
4. Place the letter in its final position – the tape grips immediately and correcting it is difficult – and press down firmly for a dozen or so seconds.
5. The tape reaches its full bonding strength only after a day or longer – during that time do not wash the headstone or press on the letters when they are wet.

Mount on a dry day, at above-freezing temperatures – cold, damp stone is the most common reason letters fixed with tape come off.

Most common mistakes

• Mounting in the cold or on wet stone – the adhesive and tape will not bond properly. In autumn, choose a dry day above +5°C, preferably before noon.
• Holes that are too shallow – the pin rests on the bottom and the letter stands away from the headstone on a thick layer of adhesive.
• Adhesive alone, without pins, on a vertical headstone – freeze–thaw cycles loosen the letters after a few seasons.
• Spacing the letters by eye – with several dozen characters, differences of 1–2 mm are visible from the path. Always work with the template.
• One-part "all-purpose" adhesives – outdoors and on polished surfaces, their durability is measured in seasons.

Order of mounting on a new headstone

From top to bottom and from the largest elements to the smallest: first cross (it sets the central axis), then the surname, dates, the inscription, and finally the small decorations. This way you can adjust the composition before the smallest elements bond.

Removing old letters

Warm the old letter with a heat gun on low power (the adhesive softens), then pry it off evenly from below with a plastic wedge. Scrape off the adhesive residue mechanically and clean the mark locally; on terrazzo and marble, do not use solvents without testing in an inconspicuous spot first. Fill the holes left by the pins with stone filler, or reuse them for new letters – when renovating, it is worth ordering letters with the same spacing. The whole process of refreshing a gravestone is described in the article gravestone renovation step by step.

Frequently asked questions

What adhesive should I use to fix letters to granite?

A two-part adhesive: stone epoxy or a chemical anchor – both resist moisture, frost and UV. Avoid one-part construction adhesives.

Is it possible to mount letters without drilling?

Yes – with double-sided tape, if the surface is smooth and even. On a vertical headstone, fixing with pins remains the most durable.

Can I have a stonemason do the mounting?

Of course – a stonemasonry workshop will mount the letters using the same template and instructions. Stonemasons can order accessories through the B2B zones.

What should I do if a letter comes off?

Clean the socket and the letter of adhesive residue, degrease, and glue it back with a two-part adhesive. If a letter is lost, order the missing character in the same font, height and finish in the category tombstone letters.