General FAQs
What services does Silver Squirrel Engraving & Gifts offer?
At Silver Squirrel Engraving, We Don’t Just Mark Surfaces—We Tell Your Story.
Every item that enters our shop is a blank canvas for a memory, a milestone, or a brand. Whether you are celebrating a life well-lived or a business well-built, we provide the precision and care your story deserves.
We offer gifts for every occasion in life. Birth, Anniversary, Wedding, Rememberance - we've got you covered. A gift becomes an heirloom the moment it’s personalized. We help you capture the moments that matter most.
Coporate awards, executive gifts and business branding are our specialty.
- Corporate Awards: Recognize your high-performers with sophisticated glass, metal, acrylic or wood awards that feel as substantial as their achievements.
- Branded Executive Gifts: Elevate your client appreciation with high-end, custom-branded items that reflect the quality of your own company.
- Milestone Commemoration: Celebrate retirements, anniversaries, and partnership goals with timeless precision.
We also offer wholesale and bulk branding services.
- Retail Partnerships: Are you a maker who needs your logo on your products? We offer wholesale engraving services to give your merchandise a professional, finished edge.
- Bulk Branding: From custom-etched tumblers for your entire staff to durable outdoor signage and stickers, we handle high-volume orders with the same attention to detail as a single gift.
- On-Brand Precision: We use a suite of advanced technologies to ensure your logo colors are vibrant and your markings are indestructible.
What type of equipment does Silver Squirrel Engraving have?
Your projects shouldn't be limited by our tools. That’s why Silver Squirrel Engraving uses a wide range of professional-grade equipment to handle any material. By matching the right machine to the right project, we ensure your custom gift looks stunning and stands the test of time.
Our Toolkit
- The Artist (UV Printer): When your project needs color, this is our go-to. It prints "liquid ink" that is instantly cured by UV light, resulting in a finish that won't peel or fade.
- The Versatile Pro (UV Roll-to-Roll Printer): This is our "flexible" specialist. Designed for materials on a roll, it’s how we create high-quality custom stickers, perforated window signage, and decorative window clings that are durable and weather-resistant.
- The Precisionist (CO2 Laser Engraver): Think of this as a pen made of light. It’s perfect for capturing tiny details—like a handwritten note or a complex logo—with microscopic accuracy on wood, leather, and acrylic.
- The Metal Master (Fiber Laser): This is our powerhouse for permanent marking on raw metals and hard plastics. It doesn't just sit on the surface; it reacts with the metal to create high-contrast serial numbers, logos, and designs that are practically indestructible.
- The Specialist (UV Laser): Known as "cold engraving," this laser uses a highly concentrated beam to mark sensitive materials like glass, silicon, and thin plastics without using heat. It produces a crisp, clean mark where other lasers might melt or crack the surface.
- The Heavy Hitter (Sandblaster): For materials like marble, crystal or glass, we use high-pressure grit to carve deep into the surface. It creates a texture you can actually feel.
- The Classic (Rotary Engraver): This is old-school craftsmanship meets modern tech. A physical diamond tip carves into metal for that elegant, prestigious look found on trophies and plaques.
What is your typical turn around time?
We work hard to get your items into your hands as quickly as possible!
- Standard Orders: Typically ready to ship or pick up within 3–5 business days.
- The "Head Start": Production on your order usually begins within 1–3 business days of your purchase.
- Special Projects: Turnaround for custom art pieces, complex designs, or large-scale corporate and wholesale orders varies. We will provide a specific timeline estimate during your initial consultation.
Please note: Our production days are Monday–Friday. During peak holiday seasons, these timelines may be slightly longer as we give every gift the attention it deserves!
The Silver Squirrel Quality Guarantee
At Silver Squirrel Engraving & Gifts, we are obsessed with the details. We understand that the items we create often reflect life’s most important moments, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Our Commitment to You
We guarantee that your item will arrive free of defects and that all engraving will be performed with the highest level of craftsmanship. If we make a mistake—such as a spelling error that differs from your order notes or using the wrong design—we will replace the item at no cost to you.
How We "Make It Right"
If there is an issue with your order, please reach out to us within 3 days of receiving your package. To help us resolve things quickly:
- Send a Photo: Clear photos of the issue help us determine if it was a production error or shipping damage.
- Keep the Packaging: If the item was damaged in transit, please keep all original packaging for insurance claim purposes.
What Is Not Covered
Because we work with a variety of natural and industrial processes, there are a few things that fall outside of our guarantee:
- Customer Errors: We cannot offer replacements for spelling, date, or design errors provided by the customer. (This is why we always suggest a "double-check" before hitting submit!)
- Natural Variations: Materials like wood, leather, and stone have unique grains, knots, and textures. These "nature’s fingerprints" are part of the beauty of a custom item and are not considered defects.
- Design Preferences: If the item was engraved exactly as designed/requested, we cannot offer a replacement based on personal style preferences.
Can you provide a raffle basket for our upcoming event?
Giving back is close to our hearts. Because we receive so many wonderful requests, we’ve created a formal process to help us stay organized. We currently partner exclusively with 501(c) organizations for raffle and gift donations. Please head over to our Donation Request Form so we can learn more about your cause!
Custom Orders
Can you create a custom design for me?
Absolutely! We love bringing your unique ideas to life. Whether you have a rough sketch or just a vision in your head, we’re happy to work with you on a custom layout. Depending on the complexity of the art, a design fee may apply to ensure your masterpiece is perfect.
Please note: To honor the work of other artists and brands, we do not reproduce copyrighted images or trademarked logos without official permission.
Can you engrave on an item I bring in?
The short answer is: maybe. Not every item is suitable for engraving, and we must see your item in person before providing an answer. Please schedule an engraving consult from our main page or stop in during our showroom hours to discuss your project.
We take great care with every project and make every effort to achieve the best possible result. However, engraving is a permanent process, and materials can react unpredictably in ways that are beyond our control. By providing an item for engraving, the customer acknowledges and accepts these inherent risks.
Silver Squirrel Engraving is not responsible for damage to customer-supplied items, including but not limited to cracking, discoloration, warping, or mechanical failure. All engraving on customer-provided items is performed at the customer’s risk.
We do not engrave wedding rings, heirloom-quality jewelry, or firearms. For these items, we recommend working with a trusted jeweler or licensed firearms dealer.
Please note that we reserve the right to refuse engraving on any item for any reason.
What types of files do you need to engrave or print my item?
To give you the crisp, professional finish Silver Squirrel Engraving is known for, the quality of your file matters! Here is a simple guide to what we need:
1. For Laser Engraving or Printing: We need "Vector" files.
Think of these as "mathematical" files that stay perfectly sharp no matter how much we resize them. They allow us to separate colors or make special plates and create the precise paths our lasers and printers require.
- Look for: .SVG, .AI, .EPS, or sometimes .PDF.
- Note: Simply saving a photo (.JPG) as a .PDF doesn't make it a vector. If you don't have a vector version of your logo, don't worry! Our graphic artist can convert your "masterpiece" into a permanent vector file for a small fee.
- A Note for Canva Users: We love Canva for its creativity! However, Canva often exports files that our industrial software can’t "read" properly—fonts can change, and images can get lost. If you used Canva, send us your link or the file, and our graphic artist can often "translate" it into a production-ready file for a small fee.
2. For Banners, Signs and Photo printing: High-Resolution "Raster" files.
If you are sending a photo or a complex design for a large item like a banner, we need it to be high-resolution (300 DPI or better).
- The Golden Rule: Create your artwork at the actual size you want it printed. If you design an 8x10 image and we stretch it to fit a 10-foot banner, it will look blurry or "pixelated."
- Give it some space: Keep your text and important details away from the very edge of the design. This "buffer zone" ensures nothing important gets cut off during the printing and finishing process.
Not sure what you have?
Send it over! We offer a free consultation to review your artwork. If it isn't quite "print-ready," we’ll help you get it there so your final product looks exactly the way you imagined.
Will I get to see a proof before my item is engraved?
We want your order to be perfect! How we handle proofs depends on the type of project:
- For Custom Design Projects: We provide a digital mockup as part of the creative process to ensure we’ve captured your vision exactly as you imagined it.
- For Website Orders: To keep our turnaround times fast, we do not send proofs for standard website orders. We use a "copy and paste" process to ensure your text is transferred exactly as you entered it. Please double-check your spelling, dates, and capitalization before hitting "submit," as we’ll engrave exactly what we receive!
- For Corporate & Wholesale: For high-volume partners, digital or physical samples can be discussed on a case-by-case basis to ensure brand consistency.
The Golden Rule: While we don't offer physical engraved samples for individual orders, our digital mockups for custom work are very precise.
Payments & Pricing
How does your pricing work?
We make it simple! Our Silver Squirrel Collection includes a wide variety of gifts, corporate awards, and plaques where the engraving is already included in the price.
Have your own item or a unique idea? For custom projects or "bring-your-own" items, we offer a free consultation to discuss your vision. Our service fees start at $45. We’ll help you choose the best process to ensure a perfect result.
Can I cancel my order?
At Silver Squirrel Engraving, we pride ourselves on a fast turnaround so you can get your gifts and awards as quickly as possible. Because of this, our production process begins shortly after your order is placed.
The "Change of Heart" Window
If you need to cancel your order, please contact us immediately.
- Standard Website Items: We can offer a full refund if your order has not yet entered the production or shipping phase.
- Custom & Personalized Designs: Once our team has begun the design work or the engraving process, we are unable to cancel the order or offer a refund. Because these items are tailored specifically for you, they cannot be restocked or resold.
After Production Begins
Once an item has been engraved, custom-cut or printed, the sale is considered final. If you realize there was a mistake in the information you provided (such as a spelling error or wrong date) after production has started, please reach out. While we cannot refund the original order, we are happy to discuss a "replacement discount" to help you get the corrected item at a reduced cost.
Do you offer discounts on larger orders?
We certainly do! We love partnering with businesses and organizations for larger projects. We offer exclusive pricing for bulk orders to ensure you get the best value without sacrificing the quality Silver Squirrel Engraving is known for. Reach out to us or schedule a wholesale consultation—we’d love to hear about your requirements and put together a tailored quote for you.
Shipping & Returns
I just placed my order, but I need to change the shipping address. Can you help?
Because we want to ensure your order arrives safely and securely, we are unable to change a shipping address once an order has been placed. This policy is in place to protect your purchase and ensure it reaches the correct destination!
If you noticed an error, please let us know immediately. We can cancel your current order so you can place a new one with the correct address. Please note that once an item has moved into production or has been shipped, we are no longer able to cancel the order.
Can you rush my order?
We know that sometimes the perfect gift is needed "yesterday!" While our standard turnaround is 3-5 business days, we can often accommodate rush orders for an additional fee. To make sure we can meet your deadline, please contact us before placing your order. We’ll check our current production schedule and let you know immediately if we can make the magic happen for you.
Do you accept returns?
We want you to be thrilled with your Silver Squirrel Engraving purchase! Our return policy is based on the type of item you've purchased from us:
- Non-Personalized Items: If you change your mind about a standard, non-customized item, we accept returns within 7 days of delivery. Items must be in their original, unused condition, including all packaging. Please note that return shipping is the customer's responsibility and a 15% restocking fee may apply.
- Personalized & Custom Items: These pieces are tailored specifically for you. As we like to say: the moment the laser hits the material, that item becomes uniquely yours. Since they cannot be resold, custom items are considered "Final Sale" and are ineligible for return or exchange.
Something not quite right?
If there is an issue with your order—such as a mistake on our part or damage during shipping—please contact us immediately. We are committed to excellence and will work with you to make it right!
Do you ship internationally?
Currently, Silver Squirrel Engraving only ships within the United States. We hope to expand our reach in the future, but for now, we are dedicated to serving our neighbors across all 50 states.
What happens if my package is lost or stolen?
We want you to love your purchase. If something goes wrong in transit, here is how we handle it:
- Stolen Packages: We are not responsible for packages stolen after a confirmed delivery.
- Damaged or Lost: Please reach out to us immediately. We will help facilitate claims with the carrier on your behalf.
- Replacements: While we will work quickly to replace lost or damaged items, we are unable to provide complimentary overnight shipping for replacements.
- Undeliverable Packages: If a package is returned to us as undeliverable due to an incorrect address:
- The customer is responsible for any additional shipping charges for re-delivery.
- If you choose not to have the package re-shipped, a 15% restocking fee (or the cost of the initial shipping fee if your order qualified for a free shipping promo, whichever is higher) will be deducted from your refund.
Unfortunately, custom or personalized products that are returned undeliverable will not recieve any refund.
Shipping Disclaimer
Shipping Rates
Shipping is calculated based on the weight, dimensions, and destination of your order. You will see the full, transparent shipping cost at checkout before you complete your purchase.
Shipping Disclaimer
Please note that while we hand-off your order with care, we do not have control over the shipping carriers themselves. Delivery times are subject to their specific terms, conditions, and logistical capabilities.
Delivery Estimates
The delivery dates shown at checkout are estimates provided by the carriers, not guarantees.
- A Note on Reliability: Unless you select UPS Next Day Air, these estimates are not guaranteed. Factors like weather, seasonal volume, or carrier delays are beyond our control. We always recommend building in a "buffer" of time when ordering for a specific event or deadline.