Full Version: Engraving on perfume bottles
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2]
30 Sep 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#1] 1 Oct 2004
Bill,
I have seen various perfume bottles that have small brass or pewter plates that you engrave. This type of perfume bottle would lend itself better to on-site engraving of the mechanical kind. While doing the bottles, you could also avail yourself to do charms, pendants and various sized plates to embelish boxes, frames, etc.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
30 Sep 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#1] 1 Oct 2004
I remember a thread on this some time ago. I think it may have been Unhappyguy who did that in department stores, but probably not.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
18 Oct 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#1] 18 Oct 2004
Bill,
Unless a bottle has an engravable (metal) insert, cap or applique, the only feasible way to engrave a perfume bottle, on-site, is with a hand operated tool.
I do seasonal on-site engraving for Nordstrom. On one trip, I saw a lady personalizing perfume bottles with something akin to a dental or jewelers drill.
She would draw the design and use carbon paper to transfer the design to the bottle. She then engraved the design with the drill and filled the image with Rub 'N Buff.
A major consideration in doing on-site engraving is your ability to work under pressure while people watch you work.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: Geezer (ERNIE) [#5]
18 Oct 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4] 18 Oct 2004
David
She most likely was using a tool (dental drill) sold by the Paragrav Company of Orem, Utah.
A few years back they were touting their tool and contracting with stores ($35 to $50 per hour) for stints of 4, 6 or 8 hours to engrave perfume bottles with "standard designs" Yes and filling with Rub-n-Buff.
The idea was the engraver would engrave all bottles sold by the store regardless of quantity for the contracted hourly fee.
The engravers hook was to try and get people to want "custom designs" to be done later and for a higher cost.
Ernie
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#6]
20 Oct 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4] 20 Oct 2004
OK, You guy started something.......
I just got a call this morning wanting someone to engrave perfume bottles on-site at a dept. store. The perfume company would pay a flat rate for the day for however many bottles are presented to me. We haven't got to the point of discussion of price so I thought I would see what others are doing. The rep will come here tomorrow and bring a bottle so I can see if I want to try it.
The bottle has a "chrome" plate on the front that is engravable according to the rep. They will do this on a Saturday for 1 day only. Any thoughts?????
From: gin (GINLYN50) [#7]
20 Oct 2004
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#6] 20 Oct 2004
Hi John,
There are people who do on-site engraving using a dental drill called Presto from NSK. They are getting between $1,200.00 - $1,500.00 per event for an 8.0 hour day. They engrave all of the cosmetic stores glass perfume bottles and metal compact products. They will even engrave items that are brought in, if the store manager approves.
I want to learn to do this using some type of rotary engraver? What type of engraver do have in your store? Can you do volume engraving with it?
Bill
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#8]
20 Oct 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#7] 20 Oct 2004
Bill,
I will not be doing the glass engraving, only diamond drag engraving on the metal plate that is already on the bottle. I have a Xenetech and collecting dust on a table is a Wizzard XL, that I have only used a handful of times in the last 8 years.
I could only imaging $1200 a day for this type of work, if that's the case - I would hit the road with my act.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9]
20 Oct 2004
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#6] 20 Oct 2004
John,
I've been getting $75 per hour for on-site engraving for Nordstrom. I have a 4 hr. minimum. The events aren't heavily promoted (don't know why) and the workload is generally managable.
I'm getting so busy in other areas that I'm not sure how long I'll continue to do on-site engraving. It's good for getting into the holiday spirit, though. You know - People fighting over parking spaces, and the last of a popular toy etc. :-)
I haven't tried pushing the envelope to $1200 per day, but I'm happy to know it's possible.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
20 Oct 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#7] 20 Oct 2004
Bill,
How's your penmanship? When it comes to hand-held rotary engraving, I've seen everything, in the way of quality, from "works of art" to something that looked like Helen Keller engraved it :-)
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: gin (GINLYN50) [#11]
20 Oct 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 20 Oct 2004
Hi David,
My penmanship is "bad". I am a south paw. This past February I took a hand engraving seminar and found out how difficult it is to hand engrave. I have seen some beautiful work hand engraved but I know I can't do that type of work.
What type of rotary engraver could be used on-site to do the volume that one would see during the Christmas Season?
Could the Signature 8080 Plus or the New Hermes IS400G engravers be used?
I know I can't do anything this year. Next year my goal is to develop a business and marketing plan for on-site engraving.
Thank you and everyone else on this forum for sharing their knowledge and experience.
Bill
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#12]
20 Oct 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#9] 20 Oct 2004
David,
Thanks for the info. I will see tomorrow what they have in mind. Since it is one day only and in November, it is looking enticing IF I can use my equipment. I have stayed away from on-site stuff in the past, but "ya never know".
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13]
20 Oct 2004
To: gin (GINLYN50) [#11] 21 Oct 2004
Bill,
It seems "Rotary Engraving" has become a somewhat generic term. Computerized equipment can perfom both rotary and diamond drag (non-rotary) engraving.
Metal inserts or appliques on perfume bottles will require diamond drag engraving.
The Signature or New Hermes machines you mentioned would be fine. In fact, you could even get by with manual (non-computerized) equipment.
On-site engraving is an area in which you'll find very little competition. If you have the temperment to work "under the microscope" I urge you to take advantage of that fact.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14]
20 Oct 2004
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#12] 21 Oct 2004
John,
If you can use your exisiting equipment, give it a try. You may end up liking the opportunity to "show your skills" in public.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#15]
19 Nov 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14] 19 Nov 2004
Well, it is official, The men's cologne rep has got the approval from her company and the dept store execs, so I will be doing on-site engraving for 1 Saturday right before Christmas. The pay is good, don't know what the crowd temperement will be like. At least I don't have to be away from my shop during a regular business day, even tho I am open on Saturdays, my partner can take care of 1 day without me.
I will only be engraving 1 brand of cologne with 2 different bottles, one is metal and 1 is glass, the metal container has a metal cap and the glass bottle has a plastic cap even tho they both look alike. I will have 4 different engraving scenireos, although I probably will not engrave on the glass bottle in the store. I will tell them to bring it to me later and I will do it on my laser for an extra charge.
If this goes well, she is wanting to do Valentines Day & Fathers Day also.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
19 Nov 2004
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#15] 20 Nov 2004
John,
Having worked "special occasions" for years, I can tell you what the temperment of the crowd will be.
They'll be in the Christmas spirit.
You know, fighting over parking spaces, ripping a last-of-its-kind item from the hands of another shopper and whining to you that 5 minutes is way too long to wait for a custom piece of work.
I'm going "under the microscope" for a few days in December.
We'll have to compare notes after the dust settles :-)
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
EDITED: 19 Nov 2004 by DGL