Stethoscope engraving is one of the most requested jobs we do that has nothing to do with a firearm. Hospitals lose stethoscopes constantly. They get picked up by mistake, borrowed and never returned, or left in a supply closet next to five other identical black Littmanns. A name on the bell solves that permanently, and it makes a genuinely good graduation or new-hire gift.
We built our name on firearms engraving, but a good chunk of what comes through our door has nothing to do with guns, and stethoscope engraving is one of the most common. Here’s what we actually do, what people put on it, and what it costs.
What We Can Engrave On A Stethoscope
Most people ask for their name, plain and simple. A name is the single best theft deterrent there is for a piece of equipment that looks identical to five others in the same unit. We engrave it inside the bell, near the edge, an easy-to-see spot that stays visible whenever you’re using the scope.
We do it as a surface engraving: a light, precise mark rather than a deep cut, the same care we bring to our custom metal engraving work. It reads clearly, it’s permanent, and it doesn’t touch the diaphragm or affect how the scope performs in any way.
What People Actually Put On It
The overwhelming majority of people go with their name and nothing else, since a name is what gets a scope back to its owner instead of walking off in someone else’s bag. Beyond that, the two requests we see most often are:
- The caduceus symbol, the medical staff-and-serpent emblem
- A small cross
That covers the bulk of what people ask for. Name, plus sometimes a small symbol, is the standard, and honestly it’s all you need for the scope to do its job of coming back to you.
Littmann, MDF and Other Brands: What Marks Well
Littmann Classic III, Cardiology IV, and the MDF ProCardial line all use a stainless steel bell and chestpiece, and stainless is exactly what a fiber laser is built for: deep or shallow as needed, permanent, no coating to chip or fade. These are the easiest, cleanest jobs we do.
Cheaper scopes sometimes use an aluminum or painted chestpiece instead of stainless. We can still mark those, but a painted or anodized surface can show the mark differently than bare steel, and we’ll tell you what to expect before we run it, not after.
One honest note on warranties: Littmann’s own warranty page covers material and manufacturing defects and excludes obvious abuse, and multiple stethoscope retailers report that a surface engraving inside the bell, away from the diaphragm, has not counted as abuse or voided that warranty. We’re not the ones who’d be honoring it, though, and policies can change. If you want a guarantee, check with Littmann directly before you bring it in. We’ll never talk you out of asking that question first.
Group Orders For Nursing Cohorts and Hospital Units
This is where stethoscope engraving turns into a real order instead of a one-off. We regularly do:
- Graduating nursing school cohorts, same design, everyone’s own name
- Hospital units doing an all-staff pass so lost-and-found actually works
- Preceptor and clinical instructor gifts
- New-hire onboarding packages
Send us a roster with names and any symbol requests, and we’ll run the batch. A class of 20 to 40 is usually a same-week job, not a same-day one, so tell us your deadline (pinning, graduation, orientation day) and we’ll build the schedule around it.
Stethoscope Engraving From $50, Shipped Nationwide
Walk-in stethoscope engraving starts at $50 per scope, done while you wait, no appointment necessary. Group and cohort orders get volume pricing, the more you bring us at once, the less each one costs. Tell us the headcount and we’ll quote it straight, no back and forth.
Not in Las Vegas? Ship your stethoscope to us. Pack it so it can’t shift around in transit, include a note with the name (or the full roster, for group orders) and your contact information, and we’ll ship it back the same way it came in.
Common Questions
Will engraving void my Littmann warranty?
Littmann’s published warranty excludes obvious abuse, and multiple retailers report that a surface engraving inside the bell hasn’t counted as abuse or voided coverage. We can’t speak for their policy directly, so confirm with Littmann or your documentation if you want a guarantee.
Can you engrave the diaphragm?
No. We engrave inside the bell, near the edge, not the diaphragm or any part that transmits sound. It’s a light surface mark, so it doesn’t affect how the scope performs.
Do you engrave plastic stethoscopes?
We can, but the mark won’t be as crisp or as permanent as it is on stainless steel. We’ll tell you honestly what to expect before we run it.
How long does it take?
A single stethoscope is normally done the same visit, generally under 20 minutes. Group orders depend on headcount, ask us for a timeline when you send the roster.
Can I ship my stethoscope to you?
Yes. Pack it securely, include your name and contact information, and we’ll engrave it and ship it back.
How much does a group order cost?
It depends on volume. Send us the headcount and we’ll quote a per-unit price, the bigger the order, the better the price.
Get Your Stethoscope Engraved
Bring your stethoscope in, or call or text 702-201-1822 and we’ll walk you through it. No appointment necessary for a single scope. For group and cohort orders, reach out ahead of time so we can plan around your deadline.
LV Laser Engraving
6985 W Sahara Ave, Suite 104, Las Vegas, NV 89117
702-201-1822