INFORMATION AND INTERESTING FACTS
website by The Collins Company, Ted Collins
Laser-engraved
items
come
in
a
wide
range
of
materials,
finishes,
and
styles.
From
stainless
steel
and
anodized aluminum to slate, coated tumblers, and dog tags, the choices can feel overwhelming at first.
Just
like
with
headwear,
the
most
popular
and
trending
blanks
tend
to
cost
more—often
due
to
branding
rather
than
actual
material
differences.
Many
big-name
companies
don’t
manufacture
the
items
themselves;
they source high-quality blanks and apply their logos afterward.
Then
you
have
the
premium
brands
of
blanks:
stainless
tumblers
with
superior
coatings,
heavy
slate
coasters,
and
high-grade
stainless
steel
dog
tags.
These
offer
excellent
results
and
long-term
durability,
and
the
cost
reflects
that
quality.
After
that,
there
are
mid-tier
blanks
that
perform
just
as
well
as
the
“name
brand”
versions
but
at
a
better
price
point.
I
use
several
of
these
because
they
engrave
cleanly,
look
great,
and offer excellent value for customers.
And
of
course,
there
are
the
bargain-bin
items.
You
can
find
$1–$3
metal
tags
and
tumblers
at
craft
stores,
but
the
coatings
are
inconsistent,
they
don’t
engrave
cleanly,
and
the
finish
often
chips
or
fades.
I
generally
avoid these unless the customer specifically requests them for giveaways.
Below,
I
list
several
recommended
material
types
and
product
categories.
All
of
these
are
reliable
options,
and
some
simply
engrave
better
than
others.
The
estimated
prices
shown
reflect
typical
costs
including
engraving
when
ordered
in
quantities
of
around
25
pieces.
Prices
may
vary
based
on
material
availability,
coating
quality,
supply
chain
changes,
or
fuel
surcharges.
Larger
bulk
orders
can
significantly
reduce
the
per-item cost—for example, slate coasters can drop to much lower per-unit pricing at higher quantities.
Think
of
this
list
as
a
solid
starting
point
for
planning
your
project
and
budget.
Contact
me
for
a
detailed
quote tuned to your exact design and material needs.
When it comes time to pay
for you order, you can
retrun here and use pay pal
or venmo (enabled soon).
After payment I will start
your order and it should
be at your place in seven
business days.
LASER ENGRAVING