Looking for some Advice

[Nathan Shaffer]

Greetings All,
Here is the short Story: I have been asked if I can engrave ceramic tiles. Replied do not know have not tried. I was given a 12x12" tile to do initial test on. Results where a dulling and browning of the mustard yellow glaze. I have a can of Ceramark on the way to try out. The tiles are going in a high school gym foyer. All artwork is supposed to be already set up all I should have to do is size it to the tile and them print it. Can anyone give suggests about how much I should charge for the job. If I go with an estimated 200square feet @ $50 or $60 a tile that ends up to being about $10,000 or $12,000. If I can get this job it would pay for my machine.

A few issues;
Already have a full time job
Takes about an hour to burn tile
Not set up has a business I am doing things has a hobby (collecting donations for my time)

Any suggestions, issues advice would be great.

Thank you,
Nathan

[George M. Perzel]

Nathan;
Just offhand:
1. At $60 per tile you are getting $1 per minute for laser time-that's pretty bare bones minimum.
2. Not sure about the durability of cermark on floor tiles due to traffic, buffing, cleaning.
3. Cermark is not inexpensive-figure 10 tiles per can so you need 20 cans minimum.
4. What is your delivery timeframe? 200 laser hours is probably minimum of 300 manhours to change art,tile,clean,pack, etc.
5. Assuming they make up a large design, tiles will have to be numbered and artwork carefully aligned
Good Luck
Best Regards,
George
Laserarts

[Martin Boekers]

I see sooooo many issues here.

1 If the laser etch is not filled completely and sealed it will collect all sorts of dirt and grime.

2 If someone on their side is doing they layout, be careful. I have seen this tooo many times
that someone without commercial level graphic experience think they can do a jo such as this.
They usually can't.

3 this a BIG job, any miscalculation on time, process etc can really hurt.


Have you talked of other processes?

Dye Sublimation, sand etch, etc

Check these guys out;

http://www.enduring-images.com/custom-tile-and-mural/?nggpage=2

http://www.lasertile.com/category/laser-tile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usOEApAJdYg (these guys are no longer in business, you may find somewith a system to contract the work out.)

[Gary Hair]

3. Cermark is not inexpensive-figure 10 tiles per can so you need 20 cans minimum.

For this size of a job I would never consider using spray cans, I would buy bulk and us a paint sprayer. You could do the entire job with a single, 250g tub at about $150, and have enough left over to do several thousand dollars more of marking.

[Mike Null]

I have a concern about wear on this job. My inclination would be sandblasting.

[Ross Moshinsky]

I agree with most saying Cermark isn't the right process. I can't imagine it lasting in a school foyer.

I think you either need to change materials (granite might be an option) or go to a mechanic etch (sandblasting is the most common). I also think it might be best to look to outsource the job. Outsourcing work is an excellent way to make money. You probably have a sandblaster within 50 miles of you that would love to help you with this job.