Display of candle holders, bud vases and shelving componentsI started making candle holders when my father died in 2006. We had a bunch of them lit up at his memorial service and then family and friends were invited to take one home with them. The laser engraved version shown here has a cavity bored out under the candle mount to hold a small amount of his cremains.
Laser engraving is tedious, problematic and expensive but may be very cost effective given a suitable product and an appropriate target market. Custom engraving can turn a small, otherwise useless piece of wood into a marketable product, perhaps to be considered a treasure to an owner with a personal connection.
After exploring the process of laser engraving, silk screen printing seemed like a good option. Using a high gloss black ink, the resulting contrast and sharpness of detail results in a better look than laser engraving sometimes produces. This is especially true when branding the end grain of these candle holders and vases.
Silk screening requires very little overhead. Graphics files are sent to a shop in Vancouver, WA where a screen is made and shipped to site within just a few days. I made a press from scrap wood and a pair of special hinges than cost about $16. With squeegees, some ink and cleaning supplies I started printing in my garage.
These marks can be customized for 1: Species of wood they are made from, 2: Fund raising organizations 3: Memorial events, 4: Individual businesses as promotional or resale items. 5: provide additional information of interest
April 9, 2010, It was a pleasure meeting you Larry in your home yesterday. Thanks to Jim Hall who made it possible. You really have a special talent for making a work of art out of what other people think is unusable. Bill Wood
ReplyDelete