Metal inlays

Stainless steel, brass, and bronze inlays—durable inserts for high-quality stone surfaces

Our stainless steel, brass, and bronze inlays are delicate decorative elements that are flush-mounted into natural stone, artificial stone, or other hard materials. They serve as durable, elegant design elements for gravestones, memorials, architectural projects, and high-end design applications.

Thanks to modern manufacturing technology, inlays can be produced based on both digital designs and our own fonts and motif series. Precise edge alignment and a defined material thickness of 2 mm ensure a clean, perfectly fitting final result.

Individuelle, kreative und handwerkliche Umsetzung aus dem Atelier von der Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen

How do you install metal inlays?

Watch Mr. Drockenmüller demonstrate how to expertly install metal inlays in stone:

Materialeigenschaften und Verarbeitung von der Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen

Tips for Installing Metal Inlays

  • Preparing the Stone Surface

    First, carefully apply the sandblasted film, then remove the plotted letters and numbers. Next, place the metal inlays into the sandblasted film.

  • Check the plotter film

    To ensure that the inlay will lie flush with the material later on, a precisely fitted recess is created in the stone. That is why it is important to check, before sandblasting, whether there is a circumferential border of approximately 1 mm around the inlaid letters.

  • Adjust the spray film if necessary

    Especially with attached letters, you may need to make some minor adjustments to the vinyl film. To do this, you can mark the affected areas with a ballpoint pen and trim them with a sharp utility knife.

  • Shine the light into the recess

    Engrave the fonts to a depth of about 4 mm. Afterward, be sure to check that the depth is sufficient by inserting the inlays into the recess.

  • Alternatively: mill the recess

    Alternatively, you can, of course, mill the precisely fitting recess directly into the stone. We will provide you with the corresponding .dxf file, which includes a 1-mm border around the edge.

  • Check the recess

    They should be positioned just below the surface of the stone throughout. Keep in mind that the sandblasting film is still attached.

  • Remove the protective film

    Only then can you remove the sandblasting film from the stone. Our tip: Have a cloth ready and clean your tools after each step.

  • Apply the adhesive

    Next, the extruded profile is generously coated with an elastic, MS-polymer-based adhesive.

  • Inserting the metal inlays

    Next, place the inlays on the polymer adhesive and carefully align them.

  • Press

    Then press the inlays into place with a plastic squeegee (Caution: Don’t press too hard!) until the polymer adhesive oozes out and the entire perimeter is completely filled.

  • Sink

    Next, generously apply solvent-free finishing compound to the granite slab, the tool, and your hands, and use the plastic squeegee to embed the inlaid lettering flush with the stone.

  • Remove the adhesive

    When you’re done, you can use the squeegee to remove the excess adhesive from the granite slab.

  • Cleaning

    You can carefully remove the remaining polymer adhesive from the inlaid letters and the granite slab using a joint trowel. Be sure to use plenty of smoothing compound for this as well.

  • Wait

    After 24 to 48 hours, the polymer adhesive will have cured. The granite slab with the inlays can now be cleaned, and any adhesive residue can be removed.

  • Tip: Misaligned inlays

    If an inlay ever slips out of place or is not centered in the adhesive, its position can be corrected using a utility knife.

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Motifs for Metal Inlays

You can choose from over 100 designs, which you’ll find in our catalog or on our website. In addition, we’d be happy to create a custom design based on your specifications.

Individuelle, kreative und handwerkliche Umsetzung aus dem Atelier von der Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen

New: Ultra-thin Ceramic Photos

In addition to metal designs, we also produce oval and rectangular ceramic photos that are 1.8 mm thick. You can have these embedded in the stone either individually or together with metal inlays.

In doing so, we combine the brilliant colors and durability of our renowned photo ceramics with the strength of our metal inlays. The result is a modern design crafted with artisanal precision.

Give it a try!

Ultra-thin photo-ceramic plate (2 mm thick)

Available in two shapes for embedding in stone:

ultra-thin photo-ceramic panels
Die Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen verwendet Moderne und präzise Fertigungstechnologien

Areas of Application

Our metal inlays have a wide range of applications:

  • Tombstones & Memorial Stones
  • Exterior Architecture & Facade Design
  • Art Objects & Design Projects
  • Logos, Ornaments, and Attached Letters
  • House Numbers & Custom Signs
  • Stairs & Entryways
  • Kitchen Countertops
  • Monuments & Pavers

The combination of precision, elegance, and durability makes marquetry a popular choice for sophisticated projects.

Thanks to their durable materials, the inlays can withstand even severe weather and environmental conditions.

Unternehmensstandort und Betriebsgebäude von der Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen

Inlays for the Construction Industry

Metal inlays are also an excellent choice as a unique detail for your construction projects.

Whether in the entryway, the bathroom, or on the kitchen countertop, metal inlays serve as eye-catching accents and demonstrate that the building was designed with attention to detail.

Metal inlays
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How is marquetry made?

Our inlays are precision-crafted and feature a uniform material thickness of 2 mm as well as precisely defined outer contours. This allows them to be seamlessly integrated into stone surfaces.

You can choose from three materials:

  • Materialfoto Edelstahl

    Stainless steel

    modern, corrosion-resistant, timeless
  • Materialfoto Messing

    Brass

    warm, classic, decorative
  • Materialfoto Bronze

    Bronze

    traditional, elegant, weather-resistant
Die Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen verwendet Moderne und präzise Fertigungstechnologien

Want to see more?

In the following video, AKEMI demonstrates, by way of example, which products and techniques are used there for installing stainless steel inlays:

(Unfortunately, the texts are in English, but we think the images speak for themselves.)

Unternehmensstandort und Betriebsgebäude von der Kunstgießerei für Grabmalkunst und Bronzen, Plein Bronzen

Would you like to try out our metal inlays?

No problem—just send us a message:

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