How Are Headstone Pictures Made?

Published

Illustration of blank white ceramic plaques in oval, round and rectangular shapes beside an old photograph and a brush
Conceptual materials illustration, not a photograph of MemorialPics production.

MemorialPics describes its process this way: your photo is edited until you approve it, printed on special paper with ceramic toners, and baked into porcelain in a high-temperature kiln. The finished piece ships with adhesive so it can be mounted on a smooth, non-porous memorial surface. This page explains each step and what you control along the way.

1. You choose and upload the photo

Everything starts with the source photo. Upload the original file or a good scan rather than a screenshot or a social-media copy. If you only have a print, see how to scan a printed photo. You choose the shape and size when ordering, such as an oval or a rectangle, and can crop the picture as you customize it.

2. The photo is edited and you review a proof

The image is prepared for the chosen shape. Depending on the photo, that may mean adjusting the crop or cleaning up fading or damage. You review a proof before production. Take your time: compare it with the original, check the face, expression, hair, clothing, and anything that looks newly added, and request changes if something feels wrong. Read more about restoring an old photo.

3. Printing with ceramic toners

According to MemorialPics, the approved image is printed on special paper using ceramic toners.

4. Firing in a kiln

MemorialPics says the printed image is then baked into porcelain in a high-temperature kiln. This page does not list temperatures, firing times, equipment, or test results because MemorialPics does not publish them. If those details matter to you, ask the maker directly.

5. Finishing options and shipping

The fired portrait can be ordered on its own or with a bronze frame or a bronze cover. MemorialPics includes mounting adhesive with its pictures.

6. Installation

The picture is mounted on a clean, dry, non-porous surface such as polished granite or smooth bronze. Install when the outside and surface temperatures are at least 60°F, and seal the edge with silicone caulk. Some families have a monument company install it instead. Get the cemetery's written approval first; see cemetery photo rules. Full steps are in the installation guide.

Questions to ask any headstone picture maker

  • How is the image applied, and is it fired in a kiln?
  • Will I see and approve a proof before production?
  • What do you guarantee in writing, for example against fading or discoloration?
  • What mounting materials and instructions are included?

For what affects condition over time, see how long headstone pictures last.

Frequently asked questions

Is a headstone picture printed or fired?

MemorialPics describes both: the image is printed on special paper with ceramic toners and then baked into porcelain in a kiln. Other makers may use different methods, so ask how theirs is made.

Can I change the photo after I see the proof?

Yes. The proof is your chance to request changes to the crop, editing, or details before production begins. Approve it only when the portrait feels right.

Are color and black-and-white pictures made the same way?

Both are proofed before production. If you are unsure which suits your photo, mention it in your order notes or contact MemorialPics.

Sources

The process description reflects MemorialPics' own published account of how its pictures are made.