Even as recent as the 1980s, print music was created by engraving a zinc or pewter plate in mirror image. Staff lines were created by dragging a 5-pronged “scoring tool” across the plate, thus the designation “score” for printed music. Fixed symbols, like note heads and clefs, were punched into the metal with dies, and variable symbols such as beams or slurs were engraved by hand.
Now we use a computer, but the term Engraving is still an industry standard for creating finished and professional print music for publication.
Fees for engraving are $0.50 per notated measure of music for solo instruments, and $1.00 per notated measure of music for chordal instruments, vocal music (to include lyrics), and any instrument or part requiring layering or with multiple lines on a single staff. Piano music, for example, is $2.00 per measure as there are two staves both of which will require layering. A formal estimate and quote will be provided upon inspection of the handwritten manuscript.
This fee includes very basic editing and proofreading, all needed symbols and expressions, text, copyright notices as specified, and a simple and basic cover page if desired. The engraving can be delivered as a single hard copy or as a PDF.
Next Step: Printing
