I first entered the awards and engraving industry in 1971, when a well-equipped shop would have meant a manual pantograph, a hot stamping machine, shears for cutting metal and plastic sheet stock and possibly an Automark machine. That was about it!
We were very happy with that arsenal. Why not? A creative and fairly easy way to make decent money!
Of course, with the advent and proliferation of personal computers, the unimaginable happened!
Not only could the tedious process of mechanical engraving be automated, which brought profitability beyond our wildest dreams, but we didn’t realize those early dreams were only the tip of the iceberg!
Computerization kicked the doors of unlimited potential wide open! No longer were we simply purveyors of simple nameplates, signs and trophies. The “Super Shops” added laser engraving, vinyl signage, full-color sublimation, glass etching and a line of advertising specialties to their mix.
The sky was, and remains the limit!
David “The Stunt Engraver” Lavaneri
Engraving Etc.
Tags: awards, computers, engraving, glass etching, hot stamping, laser engraving, metal shear, pantograph, plastic shear, sandblasting, sublimation, vinyl signage
