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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
Tags: angel monument, black granite, burial plot, cemeteries, cemetery, cemetery marker, cemetery monument, cemetery plot, companion stone, completed memorial, completed monument, custom design, custom gravestones, custom headstone, custom memorial, custom memorials, custom monument, custom monument design, custom monuments, custom sandblasted design, custom tombstone, customer satisfaction, delaware, delaware monument dealer, delaware monument dealers, final resting place, flush marker, flush markers, free previews, free shipping, granite, granite memorials, granite monument, granite monuments, graphic artist, graphic design, grave marker, gravestone, gravestones, headstone, headstones, in loving memory, laser etched, laser etched design, laser etched granite, laser etched memorial, laser etched monument, laser etched tombstone, laser etching, local installation, local monument dealers, loved one, memorial, memorials, mike's laser etching, monument, monument design, monuments, online discounts, online monument dealer, online monument dealers, online ordering, online sales, porcelain portraits, quality guaranteed, rest in peace, sandblasted, sandblasted design, sandblasted granite, sandblasted gravestone, sandblasted headstone, sandblasted monument, sandblasted tombstone, sandblasting, sartin memorials, tombstone, tombstone design, tombstones, upright monument, white granite

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

_________________________________________________________________

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/

_________________________________________________________________

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.

The Best Of Both Worlds: Traditional Gray Granite On Which You Can Laser Etch

Posted: February 3, 2016 in Granite, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Online Purchasing, Sartin Memorials, Traditional Monument
Tags: cemetery marker, custom design, custom monument, custom tombstone, grave marker, headstone, laser etched design, laser etched monument, laser etching, mike's laser etching, monument, sandblasted monument, sartin memorials, tombstone

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

Can I Really Get A Unique Memorial Monument?

Posted: July 31, 2014 in Granite, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Sartin Memorials
Tags: bmw monument, board game monument, board game tombstone, burial, car headstone, car monument, car tombstone, cemetery monument, chair monument, classic board game headstone, couch headstone, couch memorial, couch monument, couch tombstone, creative, custom, custom granite monument, custom headstone, custom monument, granite design, granite monument, huge headstone, huge memorial, huge monument, huge tombstone, imagination, life size granite tombstone, life size headstone, life size monument, life size sculpture, life size tombstone, living room headstone, living room monument, living room tombstone, loved one, monument design, one of a kind, personal, personalized, personalized headstone, personalized monument, portrait headstone, portrait monument, portrait tombstone, recliner headstone, recliner monument, recliner tombstone, resting place, RIP, scrabble monument, stained glass headstone, stained glass monument, stained glass sculpture, stained glass tombstone, tombstone design, tv headstone, tv memorial, tv monument, tv tombstone, unique headstone, unique monument

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

And, last but not least, check out this true to size 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!

Filing a Claim Under Sartin Memorials/Mike’s Laser Etching Lifetime Warranty

Posted: June 25, 2014 in Granite, Headstone Maintenence, Help, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Monument Care, Sartin Memorials
Tags: broken, broken memorial, broken monument, broken tombstone, claim form, contract, damage claim form, full monument, laser etching, lifetime warranty, memorial, memorial damage, mike's laser etching, monument, monument damage, old memorial, photographs, purchase contract, sandblasted, sartin memorials, tombstone damage, warranty, warranty claim form

Upon the purchase of a monument from Sartin Memorials/Mike’s Laser Etching, you will have received a copy of our LIfetime Warranty. If at any time, you believe that you have an issue which should, or may be, covered under the lifetime warranty, we ask that you take the following steps to file a claim with us:

1. Take clear photographs of all of the damaged area, both up close and of the full monument.

2. Find your original purchase contract to reference.

3. Contact us to request a Memorial Damage Claim Form to complete. Below is a link which will take you to an example of the Memorial Damage Claim Form.

4. Complete the Memorial Damage Claim Form completely and forward to us, along with the photographs of the damage. These can be mailed to us at PO Box 184 St George’s, De 19733 or emailed to us at info@mikeslaseretching.com. (Please be sure to keep a copy of everything submitted if you are mailing your claim. Although we typically return all original photographs being used in the design process immediately, we will be retaining any photographs submitted with a damage claim for our own records.)

5. Contact us to verify that we have received the form and photographs no earlier then 24 hours after you have emailed and 7 days after you have mailed the form and photographs.

6. Allow us 30 days to review the claim form and photographs.

Fast, Good or Cheap: Choose Two

Posted: June 18, 2014 in Granite, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Online Purchasing, Sartin Memorials

Heather, our General Manager, forwarded an article to me that she had seen attached to an email from a web design business we were working with. What this article says is so very true, not only for a web design business, but also when it comes to purchasing a memorial monument. So, we wanted to share it with you.

To see the original article, visit the following link:

http://www.sixside.com/fast_good_cheap.asp

The original article states that the above image is a web designer’s holy grail. Well, it is also a monument designers! It is not possible to have all three: Fast, Good and Cheap. A client must choose only two of these options.

GOOD + FAST= EXPENSIVE

You have a deadline and need the monument to be installed prior to the typical 8-12 weeks we promise to have your monument completed in. You also want your monument to be the highest quality granite, with a custom design, so it is truly a reflection of your loved one. Great! We will make your monument our first priority and push it ahead of all the other orders we are currently working on. Until your monument is completed and installed, we will focus all of our energy on making sure it is done not only on time, but is the highest quality work possible. However, if you choose Good & Fast, you must accept that you will be paying top dollar for your monument or there may be an express fee (decided on a case by case bases). Once you see your monument installed in just a few short days or weeks and can really appreciate the amazing design, you will realize that it was worth it!

GOOD + CHEAP= SLOW

You still want the highest quality monument, but you want it at a discounted price. We can certainly work with you to ensure you are getting what you want AND what you can afford. However, in choosing Good & Cheap, you must be willing to be patient. We will need to work with those clients who are paying top dollar in order to see their monument completed quickly. You patience will be rewarded but we do ask that you remember that by choosing Good & Cheap, you are agreeing that your monument will not be our first priority and that we can not promise an installation date earlier than the typical 12-16 weeks.

FAST & CHEAP= INFERIOR

This isn’t truly an option for our clients. We do not feel comfortable providing a product that is not the highest quality available. However, we still want our clients to realize that if you are offered a monument that is both fast and cheap, or you are in search of the same, you are not going to be purchasing a monument that your loved one deserves. This is by far the least favorable choice of the three, and if you do decide to choose this option, please keep in mind that the company you are purchasing your monument from is likely not reputable.

Order Your Laser Etching Highlight Online!

Posted: June 18, 2014 in Granite, Headstone Maintenence, Help, How To, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Monument Care, Online Purchasing, Sartin Memorials
Tags: artist, block, block printing, block printing ink, Canada, craftsman, fade, full laser etched scene, highlight, inexpensive online retailer, ink, laser etched scene, laser etching, last a lifetime, monument, oil based, oil based block printing ink, refresh, speed, speedball, U.S., where to purchase, WHITE INK

Ever since writing the blog about how to add the highlight to a laser etched monument that is beginning to fade, ( https://sartinmemorialsblog.com/2014/06/16/question-of-the-week-why-is-the-laser-etched-image-on-my-monument-fading/ ) I have received several emails and messages asking where to purchase the Speedball Oil Based Block Printing Ink that we use on our monuments.

I have located a very inexpensive online retailer who will ship to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.

The following link will take you directly to the page from which you can order 1.25 oz of the white ink for only $3.98. This amount should be more than enough to last a lifetime for any monument, even those with a full size laser etched scene. PLEASE BE SURE TO ORDER THE WHITE INK! ADDING ANY OTHER COLOR WILL RUIN THE LASER ETCHING UNTIL IT FADES AWAY AFTER SEVERAL YEARS.

http://www.artistcraftsman.com/speedball-oil-based-block-printing-ink.html

Question Of The Week: Why Is The Laser Etched Image On My Monument Fading?

Posted: June 16, 2014 in Granite, Headstone Maintenence, Help, How To, Laser Etching, Memorial Monument, Memorial Monument Inforamtion, MIke's Laser Etching, Monument Care, Online Purchasing, Sartin Memorials
Tags: block printing ink, cemetery, climate, downpours, Florida, flush marker, highlight, humid, ink, installed, laser etching, local cemetery, memorial monument, mike's laser etching, monument, oil based, oil based ink, rainy, sartin memorials, shipped, speedball, stone, washcloth, Washington, wet, WHITE INK, why, Windex

Over the years, we have received many a panicked telephone calls from clients, advising us that the laser etching was disappearing off of the monument they purchased from us. Much to their relief, this is never the case. In reality, what is happening is that the highlight which is added to every laser etching prior to the monuments being shipped out or installed into a local cemetery, needs to be refreshed. This is an extremely easy thing to do and we recommend that you refresh your highlight once every 5-10 years depending upon the effect your local climate has on the highlight’s longevity. In areas such as the state of Washington, where it is extremely rainy and wet, or the state of Florida, where it is humid, with frequent downpours, you will most likely need to refresh the highlight every 5 years. In areas such as Arizona and Texas, where the climate is dry, you will probably notice that you need not worry about the highlight except once every 10 years. In any case, no matter where you live, we recommend that you purchase a bottle of highlight as soon as you have purchased a laser etched monument.

When you see that your highlight needs refreshed, you will want to clean off the monument with Windex first. Once you are sure the monument is free of dirt and grass, 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.

Once you have the ink on the stone, use an old washcloth 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 washcloth to wipe the excess ink off, After you have removed all of the excess, throw away the washcloths. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WASH THE INK OUT OF THE WASHCLOTHS.

So long as you follow this instructions and keep your highlight fresh, 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.

***Update***

Since publishing this blog, I have received many emails and messages asking where to purchase the Speedball Oil Based Block Printing Ink. Click the below link to visit the blog with this inforamtion.

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

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