Tombstone rubbing traces its roots back to the early Chinese civilization where it has been a custom to transfer calligraphy from old stones with transcriptions to help them with documenting their discoveries. The concept of tombstone rubbing started out as stone rubbing which was used for historical purposes. It has then evolved in such manner that it is used to get details from burial plots down to being an art form.

If you are interested in practicing this traditional way of content preservation, there are some things that you need to remember before proceeding. Here are some important reminders to take note of in tombstone rubbing.

Ask for permission – This is the golden rule in tombstone rubbing. Make sure that the cemetery staff is aware that you will be doing such act. In other areas, tombstone rubbing is prohibited as it causes corrosion in the tombstone.

Ensure the tombstone’s stability – Always double check if the tombstone is stable enough. When you see that it is a little shaky once you hold on to it, do not proceed. This will affect the accuracy of your rubbing.

Use the right kind of paper – With the right kind of paper, you can be sure that it will not wear out as you try to copy the details in the tombstone. The best types of paper to use in tombstone rubbing are rice paper or Pellon. You can easily purchase one at your nearest hardware. Make sure that the amount of paper that you will be using is enough to cover the tombstone.

Clean the tombstone before starting – This is to assure that no other debris would be copied onto the paper while rubbing. A soft bristle brush and water will do the job for you. Remember to brush from the bottom then upwards so that you won’t accidentally any other important details.

Use the right rubbing materials – You can use a rubbing wax, charocoal or a chalk for this. Just make sure that you rub gently because doing otherwise might affect the tombstone’s quality.

Once you follow those tips mentioned above, you would easily get used to tombstone rubbing. It will also help you reduce the time needed to finish the job.