Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is an incredibly precise method of cutting using a vector or CAD file. There are a variety of different types of lasers used in our industry, CO2, Fiber, Nd-Yag, and others. Our in-house lasers are CO2 lasers. CO2 lasers are the original type of laser, and their applications are far-reaching. CO2 lasers interact with items by either heating, melting, burning, or ablating (vaporizing) material. A vector file is used for laser cutting, where the laser head follows the path of a line in a design file.
What is Raster Engraving?
With laser cutting, the laser head follows the path of a line, raster engraving the laser head scans left and right across the laser bed burning your design in one line at a time. It’s almost akin to an old dot matrix printer, but with fire and lasers.
What is Vector Scoring?
If your artwork is only comprised of lines, sometimes vector scoring is more efficient than raster engraving (which is a relatively slow process). Vector scoring is similar to vector cutting, but rather than cutting all the way through your material, the power is reduced so that the laser burns a line into the surface of the material.
What is Laser Marking On Metal?
Lasers are fantastic for putting a permanent mark on metals. Stainless steel works especially well, but we’ve also worked with regular steel, aluminum, and other metals. We use a metal marking solution on the surface of your material, which when combined with the heat from the laser turns the surface of your material jet black. This is great for IUID labels, stainless steel tumblers, and various other promotional products. It’s important to note that metal marking and etching does not ablate (remove material) from the surface of metal.
What is Cermark?
Cermark is a metal marking solution applied to the surface of your material, which when combined with the heat from the laser turns the surface of your material jet black. This is great for IUID labels, stainless steel tumblers, and various other promotional products. It’s important to note that metal marking and etching does not ablate (remove material) from the surface of metal.
What Materials Do We Work With?
We can work with a wide variety of materials, but for more details, visit our Materials page.
What is The Lead Time On Orders?
Our standard turnaround time for items ordered from our site is five to seven working days.
What Items Do You Have on Hand and Keep In Stock?
We are focused on being a decorating service provider and therefore try to limit the amount of inventory kept in stock. We are more than happy to purchase items or materials specifically for your order and have contacts with suppliers that help us expedite the process. Note, our lead time of 5-7 days starts when your items arrive in our shop for processing. Alternatively, you can send in the item you would like to have engraved once we approve the material. We do stock several types of stainless drinkware, wood and bamboo cutting boards and some raw materials such as wood, acrylic, and paper.
How Do I Prepare My Artwork?
This can be a bit tricky, and might require having someone with a graphic design background to help you out. No worries though, we can help you prepare your artwork if you are a bit unsure how to do it. To learn more about setting up your artwork, visit our Specifying Your Artwork page
Do You Privide a Proof?
We will review your artwork when you send it to us and let you know if anything needs to be changed to ensure a successful outcome on your project. For large orders, we will create an electronic mock-up proof that shows the placement of your design on your item. You must approve this proof before we can move forward on your project.
Is There a Set Up Charge?
We have a one time $30 set up charge for new artwork. There are no additional set up charges for subsequent reorders with the same artwork on the same item.
What Laser Do we use?
We’re proud to use Epilog Helix lasers. American made in Colorado.