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Frequently Asked Questions
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Are there any artwork setup fees? Is the cost of engraving included in the price?
There are no artwork setup fees, and the cost of engraving is included in the price. We want our products to be affordable, even for those who only want one or two of something. We love big orders, but we also want to be able to service small, individual customers looking for unique, high quality products and a great buying experience.
Can you engrave images as well as text?
Absolutely. We can even engrave photographs on many of the products. The only limitations in most cases are the space available and the image contrast. If you do not have an image but have something in mind, we may be able to provide something from our professional clip art library.
What digital image formats can you handle?
We can work with a variety of PC formatted images, including but not limited to:
.cdr (CorelDraw)
.pds and .eps (PhotoShop)
.ai (Adobe Illustrator)
.jpg
.gif
.tiff
.bmp (Bitmap)
What is the ideal image for engraving?
The ideal image is one that has both high resolution and high contrast such as a black-on-white line drawing. Bear in mind that when one engraves on wood, rubber, acrylic, stainless steel, and other materials, you often lose contrast compared to what you see on your computer screen. The image you send us is converted to a grayscale before engraving. As a result, you lose the ability to distinguish adjacent, intense colors. For example, a dark green face against a dark blue background is easy to see in color but may be unresolved in a grayscale format. Try converting your image to a grayscale or black and white image and see if you can make out the details you want. Or send it to us so we can evaluate it for you.
Is image resolution important?
Yes, image resolution is important. Ideally, the resolution of the iamge should be at least 300 dpi. If not, the engraved image may appear fuzzy or have jagged edges. If in doubt, email us the file so we can have a look at it. Beware thumbnails, those small digital images lifted off the internet. They are almost always low resolution and generally look bad if they are enlarged to any extent. A low resolution image might be satisfactory for the face of a whistle, for example, but would look poor if blown up on a clipboard.
All this computer jargon! Can I just send you my image and have you look at it?
Yes. Send us your artwork, and we will happily assess how it will engrave. There is no charge for this.
May I see a proof before you do the engraving?
We will happily email you a proof before we do the engraving if you request it.
May I choose the font to use for text?
Yes, you may designate the font you want used. Unfortunately, no one has every font available, including us. We do have thousands of different fonts to choose from and will work with you to select a font that is appropriate.
What is your turnaround time?
We stock every item shown unless otherwise stated, and we work hard to provide the fastest turnaround possible. In most cases, we ship within 48 hours of receiving all of the necessary information. Contact us to find out how long your job will take. We understand that many jobs are rush jobs and will do everything we can to accomodate you, including expedite shipping. Our commitment to you is to deliver what we say we will deliver 100% of the time.
How do you ship?
We generally ship small, light boxes via USPS priority mail and heavier items by UPS.
Why don’t you have a shopping cart on your website?
We do not believe that a shopping cart is a good way to handle custom orders. Even something as simple as a custom engraved Nalgene water bottle would require a complicated selection process. Using the example of the water bottle, we need to know the size you want (16 or 32 ounce), the style (wide mouth or narrow mouth), the color of the bottle, cap, and appliqué, and engraving instructions. Contact us directly to get things rolling.
I hate to ask too many questions. Am I driving you crazy?
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Since every order is customized, it takes a certain amount of give-and-take to pin down exactly what you want. We expect you to have lots of questions, and we will have lots of questions in return to make sure we get it right. Remember, we like dealing with people, which is why we are in this business in the first place!
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