Frequently asked questions
Everything you wanted to ask—without having to email us first. (Hopefully)
Support
Frequently asked questions
We've got cool stuff, but you might have cool ideas! Feel free to reach out! <3
Any questions
hello@criticalhitengraving.com
We use the Gweike G2 Pro 20W and 30W models. These are fiber laser engravers designed to mark and engrave metal, stone and some other materials with high precision. Unlike CO₂ lasers that struggle with shiny metals, fiber lasers are great for stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and coated metals — a big advantage since we’re doing drinkware or hardware.
Our lasers’ work areas are 110mmx110mm. (4.33inx4.33in). But it really depends on the item’s shape and surface area. Flat surfaces are easiest, but limited to that size; curved surfaces like tumblers, while they also have practical limits, can fit a larger image as they are rotated during the engraving process. We’ll size designs to look balanced rather than “technically maximal.”
Most single-item orders are completed within a 1-2 business days. Bulk or highly customized orders take a bit longer. Reach out any time to get a free quote and we can get an estimate your way. Rushing lasers is how you get science experiments instead of products. While that’s cool, safety first!
We engrave stainless steel tumblers, water bottles, keychains, flasks, knives, wallets, and many other items made of metal, coated metal, stone, leather, and some plastics. If it’s not on the list, ask away—lasers are surprisingly flexible, and physics is usually the real deciding factor.
Often times, yes! Customer-supplied items are engraved at your own risk, since material coatings, wall thickness, and internal voids can vary. We’ll inspect it first and let you know if it’s a good candidate.
Yes. Laser engraving does not introduce inks or chemicals. It simply exposes or marks the underlying material. However, since the area generally has an ‘etched’ surface, it may require more thorough cleaning due to increased surface area for icky bacteria.
Engraving itself is dishwasher safe. That said, manufacturers (like many of our partners) usually recommend hand washing to preserve vacuum seals, coatings, and general lifespan. The engraving will outlast the bottle, in all honesty. Short-story long, we recommend hand-washing our engraved drinkware.
Absolutely! Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS) work best, but high-resolution images can often be converted. Simple designs engrave faster and cleaner; complex artwork may need a bit of digital prep time. Get a free quote or reach out at hello@criticalhitengraving.com with any questions. 🙂
Yes. Laser engraving removes or alters material rather than adding ink, so it won’t fade, peel, or wash off. It’s basically a tiny, polite act of destruction in the name of beauty. <3
Usually not, but sometimes. Simple text and graphics usually have no setup fee. You can use our custom product designer to get things most of the way and we’re happy to assist with your ideas, cleaning them up for a great engraving. Custom artwork, logo cleanup, or layout work may have a one-time design fee, but we’ll let you know specifics
For custom designs and logos, absolutely! We’ll send a digital proof showing placement and scale. Once approved, the lasers get to work and changes can’t be undone.
Because items are custom engraved, returns aren’t accepted unless there’s an error on our part. If we mess up, we’ll fix it—entropy is not the customer’s fault nor your job to fix.
Item type, quantity, text or artwork, font preference (if any), and any placement notes. The clearer the input, the cleaner the result. We’ll send a digital proof for you to review before we get started.
We have a curated library of clean, decorative, and handwriting-style fonts. If you have a specific font in mind, send it along and we’ll see if it plays nicely with lasers and reality. There are some that we don’t have licensed, but if you have a flattened SVG, EPS, or AI file to send our way, there’s generally no issue for one-off items. (Not lawyers)
Heck yeah! We offer bulk pricing for events, teams, weddings, and businesses. Consistency is our specialty; 50 identical tumblers should look like 50 siblings, not distant cousins that you only see at Thanksgiving.
We love our products so much, we actually use them!🥂
Hit the shop, get designing or reach out any time!
