Cost to etch a bottle

[Bob Crimmins]

Hey gang, I get approached from time to time to etch bottles. I don't have a rotary device (yet) but I'm considering getting one, as I'm hearing more and more requests. In order to sus this out, it would be helpful to know how you guys charge for etching bottles? Is it the standard $ per minute or to you do it on a per piece basis? In any case, what's a typical charge for, say, a wine bottle or a perfume bottle?

Thanks!

[Keith Downing]

Hey gang, I get approached from time to time to etch bottles. I don't have a rotary device (yet) but I'm considering getting one, as I'm hearing more and more requests. In order to sus this out, it would be helpful to know how you guys charge for etching bottles? Is it the standard $ per minute or to you do it on a per piece basis? In any case, what's a typical charge for, say, a wine bottle or a perfume bottle?

Thanks!

IMO it's worth it if you can get orders for multiple bottles or glasses at once. Then you can just charge whatever you're comfortable per minute on the laser; as the setup time and the art time is spread over a large number of items.

Unfortunately, that doesn't happen as often as we'd like. So we quote laser time, plus setup time (setting up the rotary), plus art time for single orders now. It works out to around $25-45. Most people want to pay around $5 to $10 for "something small". LOL They have no idea what it actually takes to get professional results.

[Gary Hair]

Keith pretty much hit it on the head. I have a $35 minimum charge for typical engraving, if it's a rotary item then it goes up to $45. That would get someone a simple logo of about 2" x 2" and a name or minimal text. I really hate one-offs and will likely be raising my minimums again this year.

[Bob Crimmins]

Thanks, guys. That helps a lot!

I'll start a new thread on how to hook up a rotary device to an old, generic, Chinese laser with no documentation. ;-)

[Lee DeRaud]

Q: "How much to etch this bottle?"
A: "Depends on what's in it: I have to empty it first."

[John Kleiber]

I got request late today to mark a single bottle of Platinum Patron.

When I got home tonight I looked in the liquor cabinet and saw 3 lesser value Patron Silver bottles still in boxes and 1 open with about about 1/4 left.

I thought about dumping the Tequila in another container and trying a test in the morning.

Platinum Patron is about $180 to $200 a bottle. I haven't answered them yet.

[Bert Kemp]

I'd be very careful not to mess up the clients bottle:eek:
I got request late today to mark a single bottle of Platinum Patron.

When I got home tonight I looked in the liquor cabinet and saw 3 lesser value Patron Silver bottles still in boxes and 1 open with about about 1/4 left.

I thought about dumping the Tequila in another container and trying a test in the morning.

Platinum Patron is about $180 to $200 a bottle. I haven't answered them yet.

[John Kleiber]

I'd be very careful not to mess up the clients bottle:eek:

I intend on passing on the deal. Probably doable, but I don't really need anymore acid in my stomach this week.