Diamond Engraving
We have 2 diamond engraving machines to cover a wide variety of possibilities for diamond drag engraving.
Possible applications include:
- Standard flat metal plates and shields
- Items that can be held in place like flasks, Zippo's, watches, pendants, etc.
- Round items like metal cups/bowls, wine coolers, cups, rings (Inside or outside), etc.
- Logos and special fonts are possible and would need to be digitized.
Sandblasting/Sand Etching on Glass and Crystal
We create 2 sets of films in order to be able to sand etch.
One negative and one is a single use that is used on the actual piece.
If items are personalized, we need to make both films for each one. If all are the same design and size, we can use the first film to create multiples of the 2nd film.
The sandblasting film is applied to the washed item and extra masking is applied to protect the rest of the item from the pressurized jets of sand. High air pressure is used to shoot the sand at the masked area to etch and get depth.
Once blasted, the masking is removed and the item is cleaned again before packing it back up.
The resulting etch is fine detail white etch and can be deep enough for colour filling.
Cost Comparison
- It's a much more labour intensive process and hence, costs more than other processes.
Laser Etching
On Acrylic, Wood, Lamicoids, Properly Coated metals, Glass, Crystal and specially designed materials, etc.
- We can etch direct to items and materials.
- Special lamicoid materials and Durablack aluminum can be etched to be used outdoors.
- Lasering can be done on a flat surface or items can be rotated to etch around cylindrical objects like glassware.
On Stainless Steel
We add a chemical that when hit with the laser causes a reaction that allows the laser to fuse into the stainless steel. This etch comes out charcoal black.
Cost Comparison
Compared to sand etching, it's less expensive as you are lasering direct to the item, without many extra steps.
Dye Sublimation Printing
On Specially Coated Metal, Ceramics, polyester materials, etc.
Sublimation requires a heat press and polyester coated materials to make it work.
We create transfers that when heat is applied, heat transfers the dyes to the surface.
There are no white dyes so white can't be one of the print colours unless the material used starts off as white.
The resulting print is smooth and in the surface with no texture that you can feel to make it stand out.
Possible applications include:
- Plates for trophies/plaques/disks
- Coated ceramic mugs
- mousepads
- Shirts
- Crests
- Ribbons, etc.
Cost Comparison
It's the least expensive of our processes and perfectly suited to cost effective Plates and Disks for trophies, plaques and medals.
Digital UV Printing on a variety of material and items
This is a relatively new process run on a very expensive printer.
The printer sprays on the ink and UV cures it as it's printing.
White and clear are options for the colours which give us an amazing control over what the print will look like.
The resulting print has texture which makes the print really stand out from the plate material and looks fantastic.
Note: This technology does not allow us to print on anything sticking out from the surface, like an attached base.
Advantages
* We can print directly to items and materials.
* White can be included as a colour without needing the material to start as white.
* As it is "print on the surface" rather than a dye process, it has a texture to it making it vibrant compared to sublimation which is dyed into the surface.
* Clear is also a colour option. Used effectively, this can allow for a subtle clear texture or watermark to enhance a design.
* The inks are cured with a high intensity UV light so they will retain their colour for much longer than dye sublimation. This makes it perfect for memorial products used in niches.
Cost Comparison
* This printing process is very slow compared to sublimation and is more costly to setup and run.
Pad Printing
A negative is created and used to create the printing plate. Then an appropriate pad is used to transfer ink from the plate to the item.
Cost Comparison
This has a very high setup but in large quantities with no personalization, can get you a very low print cost. It can also work on odd shaped items like pens, balls, glassware, etch.