Tips for getting started with engraving

Are you thinking about getting started with engraving? If so, here are several tips that you can use to work on your first engraving project like a pro.

Choose the Right Tool:

• Select the appropriate engraving tool based on the material you're working with. Different materials may require different types of engraving tools.

1. Safety First:

   • Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris and wear a dust mask if engraving materials that produce dust.

2. Practice on Scrap Material:

   • Before working on your final piece, practice on a scrap material to get a feel for the engraving tool and to test the depth and style of your engraving.

3. Secure Your Workpiece:

   • Make sure your workpiece is securely held in place to prevent movement during the engraving process. This ensures precision and avoids mistakes.

4. Control Pressure:

   • Control the pressure applied to the engraving tool. Too much pressure can result in deep and uneven engravings, while too little pressure may not leave a noticeable mark.

5. Choose the Right Speed:

   • Adjust the speed of your engraving tool based on the material and the desired result. Experiment with different speeds to find what works best.

6. Plan Your Design:

   • Plan your engraving design in advance. Use a pencil to lightly sketch the design on the material before engraving. This serves as a guide for your work.

7. Clean Regularly:

   • Clean your engraving tool regularly to remove debris and buildup. A clean tool ensures better performance and longevity.

8. Experiment with Angles:

   • Experiment with different engraving angles to achieve varied effects. Changing the angle can add depth and texture to your engravings.

9. Use Lubricants:

   • When engraving metals, using a lubricant can reduce friction and heat, resulting in cleaner and smoother engravings.

10. Maintain Sharp Tools:

    • Ensure that your engraving tools are sharp. Dull tools can lead to uneven and messy engravings. Sharpen or replace them as needed.

11. Test on a Small Area:

    • If you're unsure about the settings or technique, test on a small, inconspicuous area of your workpiece first.

Remember that practice is key to improving your engraving skills. Start with simple projects and gradually move on to more complex designs as you gain confidence.

Contact White Dog Engraving

Not ready to do the engraving work yourself? We can help! Our team will engrave your project fast and for an affordable price! Click here for an engraving quote.

Should you engrave your iphone?

Engraving your iPhone is a personal choice, and whether you should do it depends on your preferences and considerations. Here are some factors to weigh when deciding whether to engrave your iPhone:

Pros of Engraving:

1. Personalization:

   • Engraving allows you to personalize your iPhone with a special message, name, or symbol, making it unique and easily identifiable.

2. Deter Theft:

   • A visibly engraved iPhone may be less attractive to thieves, as it becomes more challenging to resell without the engraving being removed.

3. Gifts and Memorabilia:

   • Engraving can turn your iPhone into a meaningful gift or memorabilia. It's a popular choice for gifts on special occasions or to commemorate important events.

Cons of Engraving:

1. Resale Value:

   • Engraving may reduce the resale value of your iPhone. Some buyers may prefer a device without personal markings.

2. Aesthetics:

   • Engraving alters the appearance of your iPhone. If you value the sleek and minimalist design of Apple products, engraving might not be appealing to you.

3. Future Upgrades:

   • If you plan to sell or trade in your iPhone for an upgrade in the future, keep in mind that engraved devices may have limited market appeal.

Tips for Engraving:

1. Keep it Simple:

   • Opt for a short and meaningful message to keep the engraving clean and legible. Long messages may be difficult to read on a small device.

2. Consider Future Use:

   • If you think you might upgrade or sell your iPhone in the future, consider how the engraving might affect its marketability.

3. Testimonials or Quotes:

   • Some people choose to engrave their favorite quotes, song lyrics, or meaningful phrases. Just ensure that it holds significance for you over time.

4. Double-Check Spelling:

   • Before finalizing your engraving request, double-check the spelling and wording to avoid any regrets.

Ultimately, the decision to engrave your iPhone comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use and eventually dispose of the device. If the idea of personalization and the potential deterrent to theft appeal to you, and you're not overly concerned about future resale value, then engraving could be a positive choice. If resale value and the original aesthetic appeal are more important, you might want to skip the engraving.

7 Types of Business Gifts to Make Your Customer Happy

Giving a business gift to customers is an excellent way of showing you value them as individuals, not just as a source of income. A thoughtful, personal and relevant gift can also be a great way to stand out from your competitors and give your customers a reason to choose you over them. There’s no doubt that the right business gift can leave a positive impression on your customer and help strengthen the relationship. However, choosing the right kind of business gift can be tricky. Not all gifts are suitable for every situation or individual. Depending on your relationship with the customer, certain gifts may come across as creepy or unprofessional. If you aren’t sure which type of business gift is best for your customer and their relationship with you, read on to find out about the 7 main types of business gifts and when they’re most appropriate:

What is a business gift and why should you care?

Business gifts are items exchanged between businesses to demonstrate an aspect of the relationship. They can take many forms, but the most common type of business gift is promotional merchandise. Promotional merchandise can be anything from pens and mugs to shirts and bags – anything that your business can put its name or logo on. Business gifts have several key benefits: They help you stand out - when customers visit a trade show or attend a conference, it can be very overwhelming. There will be a huge number of brands and products to choose from, with everyone trying to get customers to buy from them. You need to find a way to make your business stand out from the crowd, or you risk being lost among the noise. The right business gift can do just that. They help you build relationships - relationships are the foundation of business. Customers who like and trust you are more likely to buy from you again and refer you to others. A thoughtful business gift can help you build a stronger relationship with your customers and make them feel valued. They build credibility - customers aren’t just buying a product or service from you. They’re buying into your brand. When you give a gift to a customer, they associate that gift with your brand. In effect, they’re letting that gift speak on your behalf. Choosing the right gift can help you build credibility and make your brand more trustworthy.

Christmas gifts for business customers

If your customers have been especially helpful this year, Christmas is the perfect time to show them you appreciate them with a thoughtful gift. If you’re not sure what type of gift to give, here are a few ideas: Food: Food gifts are a great choice for business customers, particularly if you’re in the food industry. You can give your customers a tin of cookies or a box of chocolate – everyone loves getting a treat at Christmas. Alternatively, you could give them a gift card for a nearby restaurant. If you don’t have a food product or service, you can still give a food gift – many gift cards to restaurants let the person spending the card choose what they want. Clothing and accessories: If you’re in a creative or design-oriented industry, clothing and accessories make a perfect Christmas gift for your business customers. You can give your customers clothing such as t-shirts, caps or hoodies, or you can give them accessories such as jewelry, umbrellas or bags. If you aren’t in a creative industry, you can still give clothing or accessories, but you may have to think outside the box. For example, you can give your customers gift cards so they can buy clothing or accessories for themselves or someone else.

Birthday gifts for business customers

Many businesses choose to celebrate their customers’ birthdays by giving them a gift. There are many types of gifts you can give, but here are some of the most popular: Cash: Some companies choose to give their customers cash as a gift on their birthday, particularly if they’re in the financial industry. This gift can be more personalized and thoughtful than a generic gift card. If you decide to give cash, find out your state’s laws regarding gift giving, as there are federal and state laws that regulate how much you can give. Gift cards: Gift cards are extremely popular birthday gifts, particularly among younger customers. Like cash, gift cards can be more personalized than a generic gift card. You can give gift cards to restaurants, stores, online services or even movie theaters.

Employee retention gifts for business customers

Employee retention gifts are given to customers you want to stay with your company for a long time. You may want to give someone an employee retention gift if they’ve been with you for some time, or if they’ve had a significant impact on your company. Here are a few gift ideas for your business customers: A personalized gift item: If you’ve got a customer who’s been with you for a long time, you can give them a personalized item as a gift. You can give your customers items that are personalized with their name or initials. You can also give them items that are engraved with words that have special significance, such as the date they started working with you or the company’s motto. A trip: If your customer has had a significant impact on your company, you can give them a trip they’ll never forget. This can be a trip anywhere in the world, but it’s best if it’s relevant to your business. For example, if you’re in the travel industry, you could give your customer a trip to their hometown. Or if you’re in the tourism industry, you could give your customer a trip to an important tourist attraction in your country.

Client appreciation gifts for business customers

If you have a customer who’s been especially helpful during the year, you can give them a client appreciation gift to show you value their partnership. Here are a few ideas for what you can give as a client appreciation gift: A gift basket: You can give your customer a gift basket full of items they’ll like. Gift baskets can range from basic ones with snacks and candies to more sophisticated gift baskets filled with gourmet foods and luxury items. A framed picture: Another gift idea is to give your customer a framed picture, either of you or with the two of you together. You can take the picture yourself, or you can ask someone you trust to do it for you. The best pictures are those that are casual and personal, such as a picture of you and your customer sitting together at a table or a picture of both of you smiling.

New employee welcome gifts for business customers

If you hire a new employee, they may have been given a welcome gift from their previous employer. In this case, you can show your employee that you appreciate them by giving them a gift when they start working for you. What kind of gift you give will depend on your industry and what’s appropriate for your relationship with your customer. Here are a few ideas for gifts you can give to welcome new employees: Cash: You can give your new employee a cash gift to welcome them to your company. This is particularly common among financial services companies. Gift cards: You can also give your new employees gift cards to restaurants or other stores. This is an excellent gift for people who are just starting out in their careers, since gift cards don’t put them in an awkward position of not being able to pay the bill when they go out.

Proposal acceptance gifts for business customers

If you’re trying to win a contract with a new customer, you may want to give them a gift when they accept your proposal and sign on with your company. What kind of gift you give your customer will depend on your industry and what’s appropriate for your relationship with them. Here are a few ideas for gifts you can give when you get a proposal acceptance: Cash: If your customer is a financial institution, you can give them a cash gift as a token of your appreciation for accepting your proposal. This gift can be more significant than the cash gifts you give to your other customers. Gift cards: If your customer is an individual or a non-financial organization, you may want to give them a gift card. Gift cards can be given from many different stores, so there are several options to choose from. You can give your customer a gift card they can use to buy something they need or something they want.

Contact Us

Business gifts can be a great way to thank customers for their loyalty and show that you appreciate their partnership.

Ultimately, the best gift to give your customers is an engraved business gift because engraved gifts have a high pass pass-alongalong rate and promote your business 24-7 whenever the customer looks at the gift.

To learn more about the engraving services we can offer you, contact us today by clicking here.