Questions: Wood/Etching

What is included in the price?

The price includes file editing, file setup, wood costs/cutting/sanding, laser time/setup, post sanding, hole drilling on back and 3 coats of clear to give a final end product

What are the sizes we can have etched?

Width x Height - 4”x4”, 6”x6”, 8”x8”, 8”x10”, 8”x12”, 10”x8”, 12”x8”

What type’s of files can you use?

You can send us .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .dxf, for the best outcome. We scale up to 150dpi for clarity on the laser. Most internet images are 72dpi and sometimes hard to get good edges so sending the original files is best. If sending .dxf/.dwg files make sure all polylines are closed and no duplicate lines over each other. The cleaner the files the better. If you scale the image and print it out, you should get an idea on quality.

Does the photo get resized/edited?

We do our best to work with what is submitted. First the image is adjusted in scale to fit the wood canvas, then turned into a grayscale/black/white image. From there the brightness/contrast is leveled to try to find a good balance. Typically we push for a brighter image to help offset the etching. The dark tones get etched while white tones do not.

Why are some areas darker than others in the laser image?

In the laser process, the laser adjusts the power based on the tones of the image. Dark black tones cuts deeper than grey tones. The block is sanded afterwards to remove any burn sludge and will give that ‘grain’ look in some of the dark areas. It’s hard to stay consistent in the sanded so we sand until we get a decent clean image. More than likely you will see grain in the images, hence Grain Pics, but we look at these as small art pieces so it has some character in the end.

What if the photo doesn’t fill the selected wood block size?

We try to size the image to fill the entire block. If there is a situation where the original image was cropped to a different aspect ratio size, we will leave ‘white space’ either on the sides or top/bottom depending how the photo speaks. More than likely it will be centered horizontally.

How deep is the etching?

Typically it’s about 1/32” into the wood. Depending on how dark the image is. It does vary depending on the tones of the image submitted.

What size image can you work with?

One trick is to print the image on a 8.5”x11” sheet of paper and see how it looks. This will give you a good idea on quality. Typical high end cameras with good resolution work best, camera phones are usually hit/miss based on megapixels. If the photo is too small, we will contact you and request a new photo or refund your money. We can usually scale up the photo about 200% and not lose too much detail.

What kind of wood is it?

We etch into hard maple. We found this gives the product a nice high end quality. We have tried other woods but the outcome wasn’t as clean due to grain types and oils.

Is the wood sealed?

The final etched product is sanded and sealed with a satin polyurethane or satin lacquer (3 coats typically). The wood is lightly sanded after the 2 coat then 3rd coat is applied. We let it sit for 1-2 days to fully dry before we package it. The sealer does pop the grain tone a bit so if you want to order multiples, it’s best to do it at once so we can try to cut them from the same board since the color/grain will vary.

How long does it take to deliver?

Once the image is received, it usually takes 4-7 days for production. Really depends on work load and holidays rushes. Shipping can vary. If shipped by USPS and is marked delivered on tracking, please wait 1-2 days before contacting us, usually they will deliver it by then. If package doesn’t arrive after the 2 day window, you will need to contact the USPS.

Can I order multiples and ship to different addresses?

It would be best if we shipped all the products to one address and the customers mails out to family/friends/etc.

Why are there light/dark tones in the wood grain?

The wood is made of hard and soft grain. The tone values usually tend to appear after a few coats of sealer. This is the art of nature.