Creating your own custom project is simple and exciting. All etching is based on your design layout.

A design layout is simply your chosen combination and positioning of graphics, logos, photos, and text.

Etch In Time will provide a "proof" of your finished design layout to your e-mail or fax before etching. Once you approve the proof, we move to etch. This ensures that our customers get exactly what they approve and eliminates possibility of spelling or layout mistakes.

If it is your first time working with us please consider the following process:

(feel free to contact us immediately if any of these steps seem "confusing"):

• Think about "What" exactly you are trying to create. This could be called the "Application".

Example: Are you looking to create a custom mirror for the bathroom? Are you seeking to add a granite floorsplash to you company's entryway? Are you attempting to create a custom award for someone within your organization.

• Once you have clearly defined "What" you are trying to create, consider where the application will be mounted/installed. Is this an indoor or outdoor project? Is this going in a high-traffic or low-traffic area?

Something to Consider: Granite, Stainless Steel, Glass, Anodized Aluminum are excellent choices for outdoor & high-traffic areas whereas Marble, Slate, Glass, Acrylics are better used indoors & in low-traffic areas. In other words certain "Material Types" will be better than others considering where the final project will be placed. To review some recent examples of different material types, please review our Project Gallery.

• Consider your imagery. Please ensure that you are using the best "quality" photographs you have available, whether physical or digital. If you are sending electronic image files, please ensure that the imagery is saved at 300dpi or better. The best etchings are produced from high-resolution imagery. Low-resolution (web graphics) can still be etched however results will vary accordingly. The old rule applies: Garbage In - Garbage Out.

If you have any concern about the loss of physical photographs we recommend taking your originals, photos, slides to a location (like Staples, Business Depot) that offer scanning services and have them scan in your photo (at 300 dpi or better) and then burn the image to a CD. If terminology like "DPI" or "High-Resolution" is unfamiliar to you, please contact us directly as we can assist you. This will likely only be confusing "the first time" you work with us as this is easily explained.

• Consider the physical dimensions of the finished project. Now that you have considered the application and where the finished project will be installed/mounted, what will be the exact dimensions you require?

By carefully measuring the "intended installation location" for any project you can easily provide exact dimensions. This ensure that the final project will fit the space provided.

• Contact Us - With your project specifics by either e-mail or phone/fax (see our contact page) as we can assist you directly in this process.

Completing some or all of these steps will allow us to quickly work through the process of finalizing your design layout, providing your project proof, etching the project and getting it into your hands as quickly as possible.

Those familiar with Photoshop or Corel can feel free to create their own design layout as this allows them to control every aspect of their custom design. Those creating their own projects should create the project to scale, setting the image to "Grayscale" rather than color as this will reduce the filesize, and ensure the DPI of the project is 300 or greater. The design layout can be sent directly to info@etchintime.com

Etch In Time Inc. typically ships projects within 7-10 business days of receiving your design layout.

Please feel free to contact us if you require assistance or would like more information.

Also available is our 2006 Etch In Time Brochure in .PDF format for your review...