Headstone Lettering Colours: White, Gold, Black or Silver?

Lettering colour decides how readable a headstone is from a distance. It depends mainly on the granite colour.

Best colours by granite

Always check contrast in daylight on the proof.

Painted vs gold leaf vs natural

• Paint — affordable; may need refreshing every 10–20 years.
• Gold leaf — real gold, lasts much longer, very formal; see gold leaf lettering.
• Natural frosted — the cut stone's lighter colour with no paint; very low maintenance on darker greys.

Readability tips

• High contrast beats colour preference.
• Large letters for names.
• Avoid gold on light grey — low contrast.
• Consider aging eyes — older visitors read high-contrast best.

Refreshing lettering later

Painted lettering can be repainted; gold leaf can be renewed. See repainting headstone lettering.

Colour for symbols and artwork

Lettering isn't the only place for colour. Symbols can be painted too:

• Red roses or poppies on grey granite.
• Green shamrocks or ivy.
• Gold crosses or stars on black.
• Blue forget-me-nots.

Use colour sparingly — one or two accents look elegant; many colours look busy. Painted symbols may need refreshing alongside lettering over the decades.

Lettering colour and cemetery rules

Some cemeteries — especially lawn sections and military cemeteries — set rules on lettering colour or finish for uniformity. Check before choosing gold leaf or unusual colours. Older family plots may also look best with the same colour used on existing stones.

Testing colours before you decide

Ask your supplier for:

• A colour proof on the actual granite.
• Photos of finished stones with each lettering colour.
• A sample chip with painted or gilded letters.

View samples outdoors in daylight — colours look very different under showroom lights.

Key Takeaways

• Choose lettering by granite colour.
• Gold leaf lasts longest.
• Contrast matters most.
• Paint may need refreshing.

Next Step

Try colours in the Design Studio.