Putty vs Ink Impressions: Choosing how to capture a loved one’s fingerprint.

Two Ways to Honour. One Intention: Love.

When you lose someone you love, it’s the little things you miss most. The sound of their voice. The way they held your hand. The feeling of being close.

At Still by Coveted, we help families hold on to those small but powerful details by engraving fingerprint impressions onto jewellery - creating a meaningful memorial piece. The impressions we work with are created using ink and these are often taken with the help of your funeral director, but there is another option too. Putty impressions, available through our sister brand Coveted, offer a different way to preserve touch.

Both options are beautiful. Both create a lasting memory. But they serve different purposes. This guide is here to help you understand the difference and to explain why Still works with ink impressions only.

Putty Impressions

Crafted and cast by Coveted

Putty impressions are made by pressing a fingerprint, or another meaningful texture, into a soft, skin-safe material. It is a tactile, hands-on process that captures every ridge and curve with physical depth.

These impressions are cast directly into metal by Coveted to create heirloom-quality jewellery.

Why some families choose putty:

• It feels interactive. Taking the impression can be a moment of presence and connection.
  

• The result is textured and tangible. You can feel the detail in every piece right down to the flaws and wrinkles and scars.
  

• The Coveted Impression Kit is thoughtfully designed and beautifully presented, making the process feel like a gift in itself.
  

• Putty can capture more than fingerprints. It can capture baby footprints, seashells, pet noses or paws, heirloom crests on a signet ring, fabric textures or even the texture of a sentimental dried flower.
  

• Each piece is cast from the original putty impression, making it incredibly personal.
  
  

A few things to keep in mind:

• You need have the time to order the impression kit and take the impression so it does require some advance planning (e.g. ordering the kit on overnight courier).
  

• The master putty impression is physical so it must be kept safe. Unlike ink impressions which can be photographed, uploaded to our website or emailed and shared easily between family members.
  

To summarise putty; Coveted’s Impression Kit is a beautiful and gentle way to capture a loved one’s impression if you have the luxury of time.

Ink Impressions

Engraved into keepsakes by Still

At Still, we create fine memorial jewellery using ink fingerprint impressions. These can be taken with a fingerprint pad, funeral documents, or even a photo of an existing print.

Once we receive your image, we carefully digitise and enhance the fingerprint to create a high-resolution file fit for engraving.

Why ink is a beautiful option:

• It is simple to create. You can use white paper and any ink pad. No special materials are required.

• Ink impressions are quick to create if you face time pressure like when your loved one has passed.

• You can use an ink impression you already have. Many families discover this later on.

• The digital file can be easily shared with family, so multiple people can create keepsakes from the same print when they are ready.

• Our engraving process captures the detail in a way that is delicate, sleek and timeless. 
  
  

A few differences to note:

• Sometimes ink prints can show details that putty a impression cannot and vice versa. For example putty impressions can capture details like scars and creases organically while a very fine print can show up better in the finished jewellery if we translate it from ink compared to putty.

To summarise:

• Choosing the ink impression process through Still does not come with the gift-like presentation or the upfront cost of a Coveted Impression Kit, but the results are still deeply meaningful and may be the best option if you are short on time.
  
  

Making a simple but effective ink impression ensures you have that lasting impression to treasure forever and we can help you if you turn it into something precious, wearable and special when you are ready.

Two Ways to Honour. One Intention: Love.

There is no right or wrong choice. Only what feels right for you.

Putty impression kits, available through Coveted, are ideal when you are able to plan ahead. They capture a three-dimensional imprint that can include more than just fingerprints. Ink impressions, which we use at Still, are perfect when timing is limited or if you already have an ink print on hand.

Whichever path you take, we will honour it with care and help you hold on to something real. A piece that brings comfort. A piece that keeps them close.