Laser Etched Monument Maintenance

Posted: June 10, 2016 in Granite, Headstone Maintenence, Help, How To, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Monument Care, Online Purchasing, Sartin Memorials, Traditional Monument, Uncategorized
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Polish 2 front and back

As with anything which is sitting out in the weather, it is important to remember to maintain your Laser Etched Memorial Monument. This is an extremely easy thing to do and we recommend that you complete maintenance at least once or twice a year.  It is a very fast and easy process and will only require the following:

-A bottle of Windex

-Several soft cloths (we recommend white washcloths)

-A tube of WHITE Oil-Based Block Printing Ink (*See Below For Ordering Details)

-A razor blade if necessary

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Here at Mike’s Laser Etching, we use Speedball Oil-Based Block Printing Ink as our highlight. It is very important that you be sure that you purchase pure white ink. If you choose to purchase the Speedball brand, the color number you should order is 3553. You can order a tube of Speedball by clicking on the below link:

https://sartinmemorialsblog.com/2014/06/18/order-your-laser-etching-highlight-online/

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elbow-grease (2)

The first step to the 6-12 month maintenance process is to clean the monument with Windex. Liberally spray the Windex over the entire polished area of your monument. Wipe clean using circular motions and don’t be afraid to apply pressure if necessary to clear the polished area of all dirt and debris. If you find that there is tree sap or something else which is not coming off of the monument, carefully use the razor blade to scrape of the substance. Although you do need to be careful not to cut yourself, the razor blade, if used correctly, will not damage the granite.

Once you are sure the monument is free of dirt and grass, it is time to refresh your highlight. First, place several small dots of the ink on the area of the laser etching. You will notice that a little goes a long way when it comes to the highlight. For a 24″ x 12″ Flush Marker with a full laser etched scene, it will take no more than a nickel size dot of ink to cover the full laser etching.

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Once you have the ink on the stone, use your cloth to begin rubbing the highlight into the etched areas in small circular motions. You will immediately see a difference in the brightness of your laser etching. Once all of the laser etchings have been covered, use the cloth to wipe the excess ink off.  After you have removed all of the excess, throw away the cloth. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WASH THE INK OUT OF THE WASHCLOTHS.

So long as you follow these instructions and consistently maintain your monument, you will be able to enjoy the laser etched monument for years and years to come. Generations through the years will be able to appreciate the beautiful and unique monument you designed for your loved one(s) and that is our goal here at Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials.

If you are interested in learning more about our custom laser etched monuments and tiles, call us today at 877-836-0332 or email our sales team at sara@mikeslaseretching.com.

 

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Over the years, laser etching and Jet Black granite monuments have become more popular then the more traditional colors and designs. However, there are still those clients who would like to have a laser etched photo or design included on their loved one’s monument, but who do not care for the dark granite. In order to help these clients to get exactly what they would like, we are now stocking traditional Gray granite monuments with a Jet Black inlay.

These monuments are available in both the traditional companion size (MK58) and the single size (MK56) upright monument.

The Companion Monument is shown below. This monument features a 36″ x 6″ x 24″ upright die and a matching 48″ x 12″ x 6″ rock pitched base. The base is wide enough to allow for the addition of two matching granite flower vases.

Gray w Inlay

The Single Monument is shown below. This monument features a 20″ x 6″ x 24″ upright die and a matching 32″ x 12″ x 6″ rock pitched base. The base is wide enough to allow for the addition of two matching granite flower vases.

Single Gray with Inlay

 

I came across the below monument while browsing online looking for a monument in the shape of a chair to use as an example for a client. Even though everyone here at Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials know that we can create just about anything our clients can dream up, this monument is shocking to most of us! This just goes to show that when we say that if you can imagine it, we can create it, we aren’t kidding!

Living Room Monument

Everything on this monument is life size and made of Jet Black Granite. It is set up just like the family’s tv room and instead of carpet, they have added stones on the “floor”. Where the tv was in the family’s real tv room, they have replaced it with an oval monument which lists the information that would typically be found on a monumet: last name, first names, dates of birth, dates of passing, along with several designs that are significant to the family. When the family visits their loved one, they are able to sit on the couches and spend time with one another. Although not the most comfortable, seeing as it is made of hard granite, the family will often bring cushions to place on the couch, so they can sit for a while as they reflect on their lost loved one.

This monument proves that nothing you can imagine is too big!

Anything is possible! To find out more about creating the monument you are seeing in your imagination, please give us a call at 877-836-0332 or email us at sara@mikeslaseretching.com or heather@mikeslaseretching.com for more information! We look forward to working with you to design a beautiful and unique monument for your loved one!

Often times, we here at Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials have found that although we tell all of our clients that we can provide anything they can imagine, they don’t really realize how literal we are being. With the technology that is available to us now, and the certified Graphic Artists that are employed at MLE/Sartin Memorials, we are able to make your dream a reality. So, don’t be discouraged if you have searched through our inventory and are unable to locate a monument that really fits your needs. All you need to do is give us a call at 877-836-0332 or send us an email at sara@mikeslaseretching.com or heather@mikeslaseretching.com, with an explanation of what it is you are looking for. For more information on what you should include in your custom monument request, please visit the following link:

And, just to get your creative juices flowing, here are some amazing monuments made by other monument companies that show you just how unique and personalized a memorial can be:

Was your loved one a Scrabble fanatic and you’d like to find a way to incorporate their love of the classic board game into their memorial? Check out this amazing Scrabble Monument:

Scrabble Monument

Did your loved one dream of owning a BMW? Did they own a BMW and it was their pride and joy? Check out this BMW Monument:

BMW Monument

Keep in mind that the same type of monument could be created for any type of car. A Mustang, Range Rover, Porsche, etc.

Did your loved one have an appreciation for stained glass? Or, did they frequently travel to old churches to see the artistry? Check out this Stained Glass Monument:

Stained Glass Monument

Do you have a favorite picture of your loved one that you would like to see life-size? Do you want to see them when you visit their resting place, make it seem as if they are there with you? Check out these Life Size Portrait Monuments:

Lifesize Portrait Monument 2

Did your loved one have a special chair that they always sat in? When you think of your loved one’s favorite things, does their favorite recliner or rocking chair always come to mind? Check out this Recliner Monument:

Recliner Monument

And, last but not least, check out this true to size Living Room Monument:

Living Room Monument

Does that not blow your mind? Even though we all know that it is possible to create anything you can dream up, this Living Room Monument blew us all away!

Unique Plant Monument

Posted: July 30, 2014 in Uncategorized

From time to time, as we browse the internet, we will come across a monument which really catches our attention. Typically, these monuments will be large sculptures or something that has really never been done before.

However, when I came across the monument below, it really tickled me. How creative is it? Really, it’s a very simple idea. There was a hole cut in a flush marker to place a vase, but the vase was not in stock at the time the flush marker was installed. When the family next visited the cemetery, they noticed that a small tree was growing out of the vase hole and decided to leave it be and not add the vase. The monument company who had installed the flush marker thought that this was really something nice and began offering these monuments to others. 

How cool is that?

Cool Stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children’s Memorials

Posted: July 30, 2014 in Uncategorized

Although it is not an easy topic, we do often work with families who have lost a loved one who was only still a child. We have created several unique monuments which can be personalized to reflect the spirit of the child you have lost and how much they meant to you and your family.

Some of the monument we have in stock which are especially for children are:

Angel with Base

Angel Monument

 

Bear Hugging Monument

 

 

 

Bear Monument 2

 

Lamb Monument

 

 

 

Lamb Monument

 

Bear Holding Tile

 

 

Bear Monument

 

Keep in mind we can always order a custom monument if you don’t see something in our inventory that will fit your needs. Contact us today at 877-836-0332 to find out more!

Our Main Office is located in St. George’s, De, which is only about 10 minutes away from Glasgow, De and People’s Plaza.

Located at 4376 Kirkwood Saint Georges Rd in Bear, DE , next door to Saint Georges Cemetery. This is where the designing, laser etching, and sandblasting happens! Our largest display of cemetery memorial sales in DE is located in Saint Georges, showcasing over 400 headstones 

in over 15 different granite varieties. Although this location is staffed 6 days a week, to ensure a member of our staff will be available to assist you, please call 877-603-8484 or email us anytime atinfo@mlestones.com to set up an appointment.

View satellite imagery of this location by visiting the following URL: http://www.wikimapia.org/10301526/Tyson-F-Sartin-Inc-and-Sartin-Memorials , or view location on map below

Typically, when you think of purchasing a monument for your loved one, I’m sure you would picture making an appointment and driving to a local sales lot. Traditionally, this is how most monument dealers present their products to a client. While Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials does still offer this type of monument sales, we also offer two other sales options which have not only allowed us to work with clients from all over the United States, including as far away as Hawaii and Alaska, but have also allowed us to work with clients who prefer not to or unable to come in person to a sales lot. It is our goal here at Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials to ensure that our clients are able to purchase and design a unique and beautiful monument for their loved one, while understanding that this is one of the most difficult purchases they have ever had to make.

IN HOME APPOINTMENT

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Call a member of our sales staff at 877-603-8484 or 877-836-0332 to schedule an in home appointment. We can travel a reasonable distance and have staff who live in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware, all who are able to travel for an in home appointment. We have found that these types of appointments help with those who are home bound and are not comfortable working via email to create and purchase a monument. We are able to create previews, draw up contracts and take payments, all from the comfort of your own home.

ONLINE SALES

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Email our sales staff at info@mlestones.com or give us a call at 877-836-0332 to start your online monument purchase. Our sales staff, most of whom are also certified graphic artists, will work with you over the phone and via email to create and purchase a unique and beautiful monument. In today’s society, you can purchase just about anything online. But, most people don’t know that you can also purchase a monument for your loved one online as well. We can work via the telephone and internet with clients who are both local and non-local. We typically determine whether or not the cemetery in which the stone will be installed is within travel distance for our setting crew on the first phone call or email. If our setting crew can install the monument, we will include the cost of this installation in the price quote. If the cemetery or a local monument company needs to do the monument installation, although we do often assist with any applications or information the cemetery requires, the cost of installation would not be included in the total sales price. We have found that people from all over the country prefer to work with us for several different reasons, the most important being that we are customer satisfaction oriented, as well as offering some of the lowest prices in the United States. Purchasing a monument online is simple. If you can purchase clothing online, there is no reason you can’t purchase your monument online as well!

Due to the increasing number of local cemeteries who are allowing only Bronze Memorials to be installed on their grounds, Mike’s Laser Etching/Sartin Memorials has now begun offering high quality Bronze Memorials. Although not as easily customized as granite, there is still a large variety of design and layout options available to ensure that your loved one’s memorial still reflects who they were as a person and what they meant to those who loved them.

In addition to working with one of the leading Bronze companies in the world, we also include a granite backer for the Bronze Memorial. Typically, the Bronze Memorial is installed on a slab of concrete, which is then placed in the ground, just as a granite base would be. However, in order to ensure that the Bronze Memorial is as high quality as possible, we decided that our Bronze Memorials should all be placed on a granite backer, rather than a typical slab of concrete. Although the Gray Granite backer is included in the cost of all of our Bronze Memorials, we do also have an option to upgrade to a different color to granite for an additional cost.

To learn more about our Bronze Memorials, visit our website -at: http://mikeslaseretching.com/bronze.html

Or, give Heather or Sara a call at 877-836-0332 or email us at info@mikeslaseretching.com

When someone discovers that they have the freedom to include almost anything they choose to on the monument they are purchasing for a loved one, they can frequently develop “designers block”. When you are trying to design the monument which will be placed on a loved one’s final resting place, it can be difficult to decide exactly what should be included. Although there are often some limitations set by the cemetery, a monument is basically a blank slate and nearly anything you can think up, can be placed on it.

Traditionally, monuments have included the deceased person’s full name. Some families choose to include a woman’s maiden name in addition to her married name. The date of birth  and the date of passing is also typically included on a monument. Some families choose to include only the year of birth and the year of passing. However, it has become more common for the month, day and year of both dates to be included. Apart from the small flowers or religious symbols which are often included, the traditional monument design includes only this information: the name, date of birth and date of passing.

Thanks to the technology we now have available to us, we are able to offer a much broader range of designs to our clients. With this, you can now design a much more personalized monument. A monument can truly reflect who a person was by showing some of their personality. Future generations will be able to learn a little more about their ancestors, rather than the traditional name, date of birth and date of passing.

When it comes to names, we have clients who have chosen to write out the full name. For example: John William Smith, Jr. Of course, you can always abbreviate the middle name. So, John W. Smith, Jr. There is also the option of including a nickname. Rather than only including the legal name, a nickname can follow it in quotations. For example: John William Smith, Jr. “Smitty”. This is just one of the ways that you can make a monument a little more personalized.

There are also several options for how to include the dates. They can be included using any of date formation you choose. For example: 12/6/1987 December  6, 1987 Dec. 6, 1987 6th of June 1987. Some clients choose to label what each of the dates are. One very popular example is to label the date of birth “Sunrise” and the date of passing “Sunset”. Labeling the dates adds a little more personalization. This would appear on the monument as:

John William Smith, Jr.

Sunrise 6/6/1987 Sunset 12/8/1995

If you have walked through a cemetery recently in which there are newer burials, you will notice that it is becoming very popular to include a picture on a monument.  There are several different ways to do so, though the options available to you are dependant upon the type of monument and the color of granite you’ve chosen. To learb more about your options for pictures, please refer to our blog: What Are My Options For Including Pictures On My Monument? *Include Link*  Though there may be limitations as to what type of images can be included and how they are included, unless there are limitations and restrictions in place by the cemetery, a picture can be added to any monument. There is no better way to personalize a monument than with a picture of the deceased.

There is also the option of adding an epitaph or an entire poem. Is there a saying that the deceased would say all the time? Something that reminds everyone of them? Did they really like a particular poem or writer? If so, is there a particular piece of writing that really reflects who they were in life? Adding any of these things can make the monument their own. A great example of this is Kim Zolciak, who is always saying “Ask, Believe, Receive”. Adding this to her monument would make it her own.

We have a large variety of designs which can be added to monuments. Although the designs for sandblasting are limited, if you are purchasing a monument which can be laser etched, we can do anything you can dream up.

For more information on the difference between laser etching and sandblasting, see our blog: https://mikeslaseretchingsartinmemorials.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/question-of-the-week-what-is-the-difference-between-laser-etching-sandblasting/

For more information on choosing the color of granite that your monument should be, see our blog: https://mikeslaseretchingsartinmemorials.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/question-of-the-week-what-color-granite-should-i-choose-for-my-monument/

Give us a call at 877-836-0332 or send us an email at info@mlestones.com to get started on your order today!