Hi Joe
I think the problem most people have with sandblasting is that they don't do it so they think the time involved is a lot more than it really is. Here is the exact steps that I take and I will use your example of the 12 mugs:
Using your graphics program, I use Corel, create your artwork for a mug with the name in it's proper place.
copy that artwork and change the name to the next. In my example I made the artwork 3x4" so I can easily but 6-9 on a sheet on of 8.5x11. I print this artwork on my master and develop one sheet of film, time 45 seconds.
I wash the film, 1-2 minutes, (remember this is at least 6 mugs) let it dry while we do the next. Sheet which was developing while we were washing.
Cut the masks apart and stick them on the mugs. Tape around the mask, we use plastic garbage bags and very little tape.
Blast the piece, pull of the bag and there is no clean up except to wipe it when you wrap it and put it in the box.
We are doing a 300 piece mug order for our local PBA and from start to finish, while we still were working on other jobs the entire job too 1 week with only 2 people involved.
Most people are afraid of sandblasting because they haven't done it. A complete good sandblasting outfit costs less than $5,000.00 compared to any other equipment in our field it is very cheap. The big thing about it it is a service that most don't offer and gets you in many other doors! All types of engraving has it's purpose and each is better at something than the next. But if you can offer all of them it makes you the one source for all of a persons engraving needs.
I will eventually buy a laser, mostly for wood and material like that. I still haven't seen a need for it yet to think about the cost involved. Right now we have equipment from hand engraving through 3D CAD milling equipment, which is really great.
Have A Great Day!
Bill Meyer
Ginny's Gems
www.ginnysgems.com |