Artwork Modifications for Sandcarving Projects

How do you determine if artwork needs to be adjusted or modified? Examine the detail in the artwork. Are there thin lines that may not etch deep? Then view the depth required for the sandcarving job. If there are small or delicate fonts or thin lines, then this is considered a difficult design. Difficult artwork is a subject that customers ask us about frequently, especially when depth is required.

It is common practice for your customer to send in their artwork that has been used in a print process or seen in a print application. Oftentimes that artwork was not created to use as a sandcarved design. All fonts and detailed artwork will look great printed, but once the print is turned into a photomask, the sandcarved artwork may not match the printed proof.

Realize the printed version of the artwork is against white paper, which provides contrast. All the detail is viewed sharp on a white background. Once the artwork is sandcarved on a transparent surface such as glass, some of the detail in the design may not be as clear because there is no contrast.

-Liz Haas, Rayzist

Learn how to create artwork in Adobe Photoshop for sandcarving.