How to add an engraving option to a Shopify product
Engraving is one of the most common add-ons in Shopify stores: jewelry, watches, cutting boards, pet tags, trophies. A good engraving option needs three things: a way to opt in, a text box for the wording, and an extra charge that reaches checkout. Shopify doesn't have one built-in setting that does all three, so here are your options.
Option 1: Use variants (no app)
Add a product option called "Engraving" with two values, "No engraving" and "Engraving", and give the engraved variant a higher price. This charges correctly, but it doesn't collect the text to engrave, and it doubles your variants for every other option the product has.
Option 2: A text field in your theme (no app)
Developers can add a field named properties[Engraving text] inside the product form in your theme code. Whatever the shopper types is saved on the order line. It's free, but it can't charge for engraving, it can't be shown only when engraving is selected, and theme updates can overwrite it.
Option 3: An options app (text, price and logic together)
An options app combines all three: a checkbox that adds the fee, a text field that appears only when the checkbox is ticked, and a character limit. Here's how to set it up with LemonPick:
- Install LemonPick from the Shopify App Store. Setup runs on its own: it turns on cart pricing and creates a hidden "Custom options" product that carries add-on fees.
- On the LemonPick Home page, click Edit options next to a product.
- Click Checkbox (add-on), name it "Add engraving", and enter the fee in Price when checked, for example 10.00.
- Click Text field, name it "Engraving text", set Max characters (for example 20) and tick Required.
- On the text field, set Show only if to "Add engraving", so the box appears only when the shopper ticks engraving.
- Click Save. Each save is kept in version history.
- If you haven't already, click Open theme editor on the Home page. The "Product options" block is added to your product template; drag it above the Add to cart button and click Save.
- Open Checkout Guard and click Run now. It builds a test cart with your add-ons selected and checks that the totals match.
On the product page the shopper sees "Add engraving (+$10.00)" and the total updates when they tick it. In the cart and at checkout, the fee is part of the product's line, and the engraving text is saved on the order so you can read it when you fulfill.
Options are free on every plan. To put a price on an option you need the Starter plan ($9.99/month, 14-day free trial) or higher.
Tips for engraving options
- Set a character limit that matches what physically fits on the item, and say so in the label ("Engraving text, up to 20 characters").
- Make the text field required when engraving is selected, so you never get an engraving order with no text.
- If you offer several engraving styles, use a dropdown ("Script", "Block") with a price on each choice.
- State in your product description that engraved items are made to order. That sets expectations for returns.
More guides: How to add a gift wrap option in Shopify · How to charge extra for product options in Shopify · How to add a custom text field to a Shopify product · Conditional product options in Shopify · Shopify 100 variant limit workarounds (updated for 2026)
Install LemonPick from the Shopify App Store
Free plan available. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial.