What Things Remembered Does
Things Remembered is a retail chain that engraves and personalizes gifts — mostly items like picture frames, jewelry boxes, desk accessories, and home décor. You pick an item in the store or online, choose what text or image you want added, and the store engraves it before you take it home or have it shipped. The engraving is permanent and carved into the surface, so it does not wear off like a sticker or print would.
The store handles the personalization work itself rather than sending it out. Most locations can complete straightforward engravings the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy they are and what you are ordering. If you order online, the item ships to you after engraving is done.
Key Takeaways
- Things Remembered engraves text, initials, and sometimes images onto items like frames, boxes, and jewelry before you receive them.
- You can personalize items in a physical store while you wait, or order online and have the engraved item shipped to you.
- Engraving costs vary by item and the complexity of what you want added, and are usually shown before you complete your order.
- Most engravings take a few days in-store, but some straightforward orders may be ready the same day — ask when you order.
- If you order online, you will need to provide your text or design details during checkout before the item is engraved and shipped.
How to Personalize an Item in a Store
Walk into a Things Remembered location and browse the items available. Once you find something you want to engrave, tell a staff member what text you want added — usually your initials, a name, a date, or a short phrase. They will show you font options and placement choices, and let you see a preview of how it will look before they start the engraving.
Ask how long the engraving will take. straightforward jobs like three initials on a picture frame might be ready in an hour or the same day. More complex orders or busy periods may take a few days. You can either wait in the store, leave and come back, or ask if they can hold it for you to pick up later.
Pay for the item and the engraving service at the register. The cost of engraving is added to the price of the item itself. Once the work is done, inspect the engraving before you leave to make sure the text is clear and positioned where you wanted it.
How to Order Personalized Items Online
Visit the Things Remembered website and search for the item you want to personalize. Add it to your cart, then look for the personalization or engraving section during checkout. This is where you will type in the text you want engraved, choose fonts and placement, and sometimes upload an image if the item supports custom designs.
The website usually shows you a preview of how your personalization will look before you finalize the order. Review this carefully — once the item is engraved, changes are not possible. Complete your purchase and provide a shipping address. The store will engrave your item and ship it to you, which typically takes one to two weeks depending on the item and current order volume.
Keep your order confirmation email. It contains your order number and details about what was engraved. If the item arrives and the engraving is wrong or damaged, you will need this information to contact customer service.
What You Can Personalize
Things Remembered carries hundreds of items that can be engraved. Common choices include picture frames in wood or metal, leather desk accessories like portfolios and pen holders, jewelry boxes, keychains, wine glasses and barware, desk clocks, and decorative boxes. Some items have limited space for text, so initials or short names work better than long phrases.
Not every item in the store can be engraved — some are stock items sold as-is. When you are shopping, look for items labeled as "personalization available" or ask a staff member whether a specific piece can be customized. Online, the personalization option will appear on the product page if that item can be engraved.
Engraving Costs and What Affects Them
Engraving fees are separate from the price of the item itself. A straightforward engraving on a small item like a keychain might add $5 to $15 to the cost. Larger items or more complex designs — multiple lines of text, custom images, or intricate fonts — can cost $20 to $50 or more. The exact price depends on the item, the amount of text, and the complexity of the design.
When you order in a store or online, the engraving cost is shown before you pay, so there are no surprises. Some items may have a minimum engraving fee even if you only want a few letters added. Ask about this when you order if you are concerned about cost.
What Happens If You Need to Make Changes
Once an item is engraved, the text or image cannot be removed or changed — engraving is permanent. If you notice a mistake after you receive the item, contact Things Remembered customer service with your order number and photos of the error. They will review your case and may offer a replacement or refund depending on whether the mistake was theirs or resulted from unclear instructions you provided.
This is why checking the preview before you confirm your order is so important. If you are ordering online, take time to review the text, spelling, and placement. If you are in a store, ask to see a preview or sample before the engraving begins. It only takes a moment and can prevent disappointment.
Shipping and Delivery for Online Orders
When you order a personalized item online, Things Remembered engraves it at a fulfillment center and then ships it to your address. Standard shipping typically takes one to two weeks after your order is placed, though this varies by item and current order volume. You will receive a tracking number via email once your package ships so you can monitor its progress.
If you need the item sooner, check whether expedited shipping is available at checkout. This costs more but can reduce delivery time. For gifts with a specific important date, order well in advance — do not wait until the last week before you need it, because engraving and shipping both take time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I engrave an item I already own?
Things Remembered does not engrave items you bring in from elsewhere. They only personalize items they sell. If you want an existing piece engraved, you would need to find a local engraving shop or jeweler that offers that service.
What if I make a typo when I order online?
Once your order is submitted and engraving begins, you cannot change the text. If you catch the error before the item ships, contact customer service when ready with your order number and explain the mistake. They may be able to stop the order, but this depends on how far along the engraving process is. This is why reviewing your preview carefully before checkout is essential.
How long does engraving take in a store?
straightforward engravings like initials or a short name usually take a few hours to a day. More complex designs or busy periods may take two to three days. Ask the staff member when you order — they can give you a specific timeframe based on their current workload.
Can I return an engraved item?
Engraved items are typically final sale and cannot be returned because the personalization makes them unique to you. If the engraving is defective or was done incorrectly due to a store error, contact customer service to discuss your options. Read the return policy on the Things Remembered website or ask in-store before you order.
What fonts and designs are available?
Things Remembered offers several font styles ranging from straightforward block letters to more decorative scripts. Some items also support small images or logos. When you order in-store, staff can show you the available options. Online, the product page or personalization tool will display which fonts and designs work for that specific item.