Highland Rim Studio (formerly Scratches On Glasses) is a creative laser engraving and sandblasting studio located just outside Nashville, Tennessee. I utilize all high-level, professional equipment to offer the best quality products on the market. This is no 'kitchen table' set-up here.

I'm often asked to explain how the sandcarving process differs from laser engraving. Desktop and small hobby shop lasers proliferate the crafters' and makers' market as basic units can be purchased for just a couple hundred bucks on ebay, allowing for even the most unexperienced to offer laser engraved items for sale to the public.

Glass laser engraving works by directing a high intensity beam of light generated from CO2 to the surface of the glass. This beam literally fractures the glass surface (micro-explosions) to create a rough frosted appearance. Looking closely at the photo, you can easily see the irregular and rough cut path where the laser beam traveled in the picture at the upper right. The effect has no depth and is a cheaper, standard method of personalizing your glasses and crystal. Laser engraving is fantastic, however, for wood, acrylic, and leatherette items where depth and detail is not such a concern.

Sandcarving is a process where a very fine, sand-like media such as silicon carbide is directed by hand through a nozzle under high pressure. First, a template (exposure film) must by created on a computer using a graphic design program - anything that can be scanned, saved to, or drawn on a computer (such as handwriting) can also be used to create this template.

Next, the exposure is used in a process called photolithography to create a custom mask out of special photoresist film which is developed under UV light. On this mask, parts of the design that include the logo or art have been removed to allow the sand to pass through and carve away the exposed areas of the item being sandcarved. These masks are single-use only - one mask must be created and applied for each item being personalized.

Artistic sandcarving is completed by hand and piece by piece. The skill lies in knowing how long to linger in certain areas of the design to achieve the depth and detail clients have come to appreciate with this method as the final result is a jaw-dropping 3D effect on glass and crystal that exudes luxury and quality.