Hand engraving business?

[J.B.]

Hello engravers!
I am a jeweler by trade and am starting to get into hand engraving. I am currently an "employee" at a local jewelry store. If I were to start my own business to start engraving on the side at home, what would I need to do? There are currently no hand engravers in the city and could lead to big profits. I am worried about doing it out of my house, as I have a 2 year old daughter. Insurance is another worry and would I need to invest in a big safe/alarm system? I would appreciate any input on the pro's, con's, and steps to pursuing this endeavor.
Thank you!
Jeff

 

[Brian Marshall]

Depends, as they say...

On what items you are intending to engrave and who you are intending to engrave for.

Start with that.


Brian


Actually, you might do better to start with putting your location in your profile?

 

[Marrinan]

Jeff, Zoning is going to be one issue. You are not opening a business you have a studio! Artist studios seldom have zoning issues. If you have customers coming to your home, neighbors may have issues with parking, If your studio is by appointment only this will usually get around this issue, Based on your comments I will assume your aim is the jewelry trade. The only security issues you have is with customers items and general homeowners with a studio writer should handle that. If you are going to engrave for Jewelry store trade two import things are liability of replacement if something is damaged beyond your ability to repair or lost. Second and critically important there is no wholesale in this business. Your hourly rate applies to everyone. Let the store deal with markup. Some stores will only deal with you if it is exclusive or you do not engrave for the public. Be very cautious of these kind of agreements. If a store can keep you busy at your $30 to $50 an hour rate 40 hours a week maybe but there would be legal contracts if it were me. Security: chemicals and sharp things are dangerous. keep the children away from the studio and lock up any and all toxic materials. Locked not child proofed. High cupboards with locks. Best to keep small children out altogether. Make sure that the jewelry stores know your ability and they quote based on your rate plus benchmark. This is the trickiest part. Cut samples. timed to the last second from layout and fixture construction to finish. Base your prices accordingly. If it takes X amount of time to cut running leaf around a ring. price based on that. don't forget overhead in your hourly rate. Consumables must also be included in your rates. Mike Duber did this for thirty years or more he would be the man to chat about this with. Fred
Bill Rice would be another to talk to or chis Mauluf, Brian Marshall has been in this for longer than just about anyone and in every aspect of it contact these folks through personal messages, email, or call them (not during working hours time is money, FM

 

[monk]

i cant say big profits are out of the question--- but it requires a lot of money and work to jump start such a venture. i wouldn't expect profits in the real sense for a couple of years. you have to do a lot of engraving to just pay for the goodies you're going to have to buy. you almost are forced by the laws of nature, to have dedicated space for this work. it will not work for long when you're busy engraving on the kitchen table, and the misses insists she needs the table to prepare a meal. or a youngster says, "dad, i need to have my desk to do my homework !". don't be discouraged, just go at this with a realistic approach. i made it work. many others have made it work. so can you.

 

[Brian Marshall]

Paolo (mrthe) is a jeweller - who carves coins for income.

I seriously doubt you would need the same level of security for carving nickels as you would for engraving on objects worth a couple hundred thousand dollars.

Engravers can actually make a living at both extremes... One requires security, the other doesn't. (your tools might need to be locked up so they don't walk off)


Safety around children is another matter. If your daytime jeweler job is away from home, and you can do all the prep and finishing work there - you can minimize the dangers.

You won't need chemicals or much in the way of power tools. A locking drawer for sharp gravers might suffice?



Brian

 

[Beathard]

If you are talking about firearms, the ATF FFL is going to be your biggest issue. It has become almost impossible to get one in a residential area in the city. I have created a website to answer some basic questions but you may be beyond its target audience. http://gunengraving.org

 

[don hicks]

I'm not in business, just a hobby for me, but if you are going to do business from your home take a hard look at your home owners insurance policy. If you have a loss and they find out you are selling they may require you to have business insurance.This could affect your getting a payout.
Cheers and good luck
Don

 

[Brian Marshall]

One other caveat... not so much for engravers as for metalsmiths in general...

On the 5 gal propane tanks - there is a label specifically warning against usage in a closed environment. (common BBQ tanks we use for soldering fuel)


Two people I know of have had their insurance refuse to pay after major house fires.

Insurance companies claim that the homeowners knowingly contributed to the damage by having a propane tank in a garage or room of the residence.

Read those pesky labels - BEFORE you place your bets...


Brian

 

[Omar Haltam]

engraving on the side

start little by little and grow steadily from there, I am in the jewelry trade and started getting I need for engraving month by month, just like getting other tools for our trade. And practice a lot before you take on actual jobs from customers, and having some of your work as samples in binder helps to show customers what you can do.
good luck to you, wish you all the best

-Omar

 

[diandwill]

I am a jeweler and have my own small shop (long story). I have a few practice plates to show, but Rio Grande sells 1x2" nickel money clips for $24/20 pieces. I have 40 engraved, some school logo styles, some bulino, some scroll, some western and some celtic. People can see directly just how exacting I can be, especially in a small format, and the lettering ranging from 1mm to 7/8". I also have a selection of cuff bracelets. most in Sterling, but a few in nickel and brass, done as price points and for display. Add in 120+ pairs of earrings and/or pendants, all hand engraved, and it results in a sellable inventory as well as a display of my capabilities. One or another item will show what I am capable of when it comes to custom orders.
It is the result of several years of work, and it is priced based on $50/hr, where most of the earring sets are $89, the bracelets are $150-$550 (thats the range of time involved) and hand made and engraved rings in silver are $200-$399.
Start small, with a few things to show but especially a few to sell, and you will slowly grow your business. Don't be afraid to say no, or to price high enough to replace if you really blow it. And finally, don't be afraid to say no!. Sometimes people want to go beyond your comfort level, or to price your work too cheap. You have to just say 'NO'. You are their only option. Just keep cutting and have fun!

 

[Chujybear]

i'm just impressed at the pieces dianandwill have amassed. amazing.. so handy too

 

[Christopher Malouf]

A good percentage of the business should be making what you engrave. It can be any item that is always in demand and sold directly or indirectly to the public. The item(s) should also be technically, artistically or both difficult for anyone else to follow. That is exclusivity which creates branding and allows YOU to set the price. It is your copyright protection. When engraving items you do not make, align your business with other businesses who pay quickly rather than when an item sells - this is primarily production type work and very important to have. Do speculations for yourself so they have no budget limit as it needs to be something that is distinctively yours and something people will remember. The item and work should reflect your business' target market and specifically promote the items you are making to engrave. There are exceptions, of course, to promotional/spec work but those choices must be made very wisely. Honesty, quality and service always win in the end and are long remembered after the hyperbole fades.