etchedMugs.com Product Advantage

We sandblast our products. While being labor intensive, it gives the nicest look to the finished product. Our process of sandblasting is 100% hand done. We do not use automated equipment when we sandblast. This allows us to control every aspect of the etch. We can control our cut by what the design is. Many times within the same design there are areas that require different amounts of blasting time. Automated equipment can't give you the same quality. Each order we process requires the following steps:

Setup the design on the computer
Output the films with the design
Take the created films and make the etching stencils
Prepare your stencils to be put onto the item(s) to be etched
Place the stencil on the item(s)
Mask off the item(s) with 4 pieces of tape (protects areas you don't want etched)
Sandblast the item(s)
Wash and polish the item(s)
Box the item(s) for delivery

The advantage to this over methods described below are many. Our process is a photographic process. We start with perfect artwork. We use very fine, sharp abrasive material to do our cutting. This give a very clean and clear appearance to the etch. Other methods give a frayed or chipped look with no depth. When we say cut, we mean cut. There is actual depth to our etching, not merely a frosting. We are trying to offer our customers the finest etching available, at reasonable prices.

These are the other methods of marking glass. You will understand why the sandblasted method is truly the finest. Here they are:

Laser Engravers: These can mark glass very accurately. They are basically cnc machines. As long as the artwork is properly prepared they are accurate. The problem with this type of decorating is the laser super heats the glass and fractures it. The resulting look to the markings it leaves is a pitted look. There is also no depth to the cut.
Trophy engraver with a spinning diamond cutter. This type of engraving can be outline only. This method does not have any depth to the cut. I have this capability. It is unacceptable for my corporate customers. The edges of the outlines has a frayed uneven look. There is also no depth.
Sandblasting with reusable stencils. This method utilizes reusable brass or rubber stencils. The drawbacks are the inability to have a shape within a shape. As an example many letters have a small center to them (A,B,D,d,e, etc.) These letters must have small pieces of stencil material holding the letter centers in place. This does not make for a quality etch.

There are some very worthy etchers out there. In general they are geared to servicing the corporate community. They are geared to larger quantity runs. Jafa, J Charles Crystal, Award Craft are examples.
Things Remembered caters to small run customers. Things Remembered does not do the same quality of work we do. Much of the work they perform is done on a machine. They utilize methods of marking that are easier to learn. If you compare our quality you will quickly see the difference. Our quality and service is what sets us apart. Thank you.