Friends Forever Pet Portrait Coaster — Laser-Engraved, Slate or Cork

A date worth keeping

There is always a date you remember. The day they came home, small and uncertain and already yours. The day two animals who had never met decided — slowly, over weeks — that they belonged together. The day a family became this particular family. This coaster was made to hold that date. Not framed and hung somewhere, but there on the table — used, noticed, part of the room — every single day.

Each coaster carries a laser-engraved portrait made from a photo you send us, with your chosen name at the top and the date your story started beneath. “Friends forever” sits between the two, because it is true — then and now and in whatever comes after. Available in cork or slate, with an optional basswood display easel. One design. Two materials. Entirely yours. Made by hand in Calgary by Michelle and Evan, who named their shop after the same date Coffee and Cookie came into their lives.

What to send before checkout

1. A clear photo of your pet(s) — or of you and your pet(s) together
   This becomes the engraved portrait at the centre of the coaster. One or two subjects work equally well. See the photo tips below, or send it to us first and we will advise before you order.
2. Your name header text
   The text that appears in bold caps at the top of the coaster — your pet’s name(s), your family name, or any short name that feels right. Up to 20 characters. Exactly as you want it engraved. Shorter text allows larger, bolder lettering.
3. Your date
   Engraved as “Since [your date].” Any format works — a full date (3.15.2011), a month and year (May 2019), or just a year (2018). We engrave it exactly as you write it.
4. If you ordered a cork coaster — your preferred printing side
   Cork has two sides: the flat-edge and the recessed-edge. Both engrave well. Select your preference at checkout.
5. If you ordered a slate coaster — your preferred shape
   Slate has two shapes: the round and the square. Select your preference at checkout.

Photo tips

What works well: A photo where your pet(s) — or you and your pet(s) — are clearly visible, well-lit, and reasonably close together in the frame. Natural daylight and a simple background give the clearest engraving detail.

For two or more subjects together: Side by side, or one slightly behind the others, both work well. Photos where one subject is much larger or further from the camera than the other are harder to balance in a portrait composition.

For a pet parent with pet(s): A clear photo where both the person and the pet are visible in natural light, with neither obscured. The portrait captures what is visible in the photo — the closer and clearer, the more detail we can include.

What to avoid: Photos in heavy shadow, or where one subject blends into a dark background. Very tightly cropped images. Blurry or low-resolution photos (under 800 px on either side).

Not sure whether your photo will work? Send it to us before ordering — we will tell you honestly.

Materials and making

Your photo is converted into a laser-ready portrait — a considered interpretation of your subject(s), adjusted for the scale and tone of engraving on cork or stone. The name header, sentiment, and date are fitted around the portrait as part of the template layout. Everything is then laser-engraved directly into the surface — into the cork or slate itself — so the portrait, name, and date will not fade, peel, or wash away. Cork is warm, natural, and slightly textured; slate is darker and more formal, with each piece slightly different in texture because no two pieces of natural stone are identical.

What’s included:

• One laser-engraved “Friends Forever” coaster in your chosen material
• Basswood display easel — Add-on option

Size

The round slate and cork coasters are approximately 10 cm (4″) in diameter — standard coaster size, fitting comfortably under a mug, a wine glass, or a small vase. The square slate coasters are approximately 10 × 10 cm. When propped on the basswood easel, the slate coaster stands approximately 11 cm tall — about the height of a standard tea light holder — and faces forward cleanly on a shelf or windowsill.

Giving this as a gift — for a birthday, an adoption anniversary, a milestone, or simply because you know someone whose pet is everything to them? This coaster says something that most gifts do not: it says I know their name, and I know the date, and I know that matters. We include a free handwritten gift note with every order. Leave your message at checkout and we can ship directly to your recipient with no invoice enclosed.

Slate: wipe with a damp cloth and dry promptly — avoid prolonged soaking or dishwashers. Cork: wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth only, as sustained moisture will warp the cork over time. Both materials are sealed and suitable for daily use.

Because every coaster is made to order and engraved from your photo, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges. If something arrives damaged or does not match what was agreed, please reach out within 7 days with a photo — we will always make it right. Send us a message any time before or after ordering.

Questions about this piece

Can I use a photo of me and my pet, rather than just the pet?
Yes — the design works beautifully with a pet parent and pet(s) together. The portrait is engraved from whatever photo you send, so the composition is yours to choose. A photo where both the person and the pet are clearly visible in natural light gives the best result.

What date should I use?
Any date that is meaningful to you — the day you brought your pet home, a birthday, a rescue date, or the date two pets met. There is no right answer. Write it in whatever format feels true to the moment: a full date, a month and year, or simply a year.

Can the “friends forever” text be changed?
“Friends forever” and the heart before “Since” are part of the fixed design template. If you have a different phrase in mind, reach out before ordering — we may be able to accommodate a custom request, and we will let you know what is possible.

Do you send a proof before engraving?
Yes, always. We send a full design preview — portrait, name header, sentiment, and date in layout — before we engrave anything. You can approve or request changes. Nothing is finalised until you say so.

Which material should I choose?
Cork is warmer in tone — the engraving reads as a rich warm brown on the natural surface, and it suits a kitchen counter, coffee table, or desk. Slate is cooler and more formal — the engraving appears as clean white on dark stone, with a striking contrast. Coaster with easel is the right choice if you want the piece to stand upright and stay visible on a shelf. If you are unsure, we are happy to help you choose.