How it Works:

• Select a part from your bike to be tattooed. Decide on the image you want. If you're not sure about an image, call us and we'll discuss the possibilities.
• Send the part to us, with your artwork, if applicable.
• Your artwork is then scanned, traced or cleaned up and enhanced by our graphics team, and processed through our engraving software.*
• For metal parts, the part is thoroughly cleaned, treated with a molybdenum compound, and placed in the engraving table.
• At this point, we typically need to do some testing of your part, since chrome quality varies widely. To make a permanent mark on any part is not an exact science; it is a sensitive process which requires some finesse and demands accurate focus, uniform material thickness, and the right combination of the laser’s speed, power, and pulse frequency.
• The laser fires for several minutes at 4000 degrees F.
• Wherever the laser touches the part, the compound fuses, leaving a mark.
• The excess compound is rinsed off, leaving the permanent black mark on and slightly below the metal surface.
• For leather, the laser fires at a lower temperature and the piece is engraved to the desired depth and detail.
• The leather piece is then treated with a high-quality leather sealant finish to protect the engraving.
• The part is then sent back to you, to be re-mounted to your bike
• No special care is needed to maintain the finish; clean the part normally as you always did.

Shipping services are available worldwide.

*Save money by sending us your artwork in a vector file format--acceptable vector file formats include .cdr (CorelDraw), .ai (Adobe Illustrator), and .eps files that have been saved or exported as vector files. Pricing is based on time; Artwork preparation time may be charged up to the point that a .cdr image is ready for the machine. For the laser process itself, the size of the piece and the complexity of the image determine the machine time.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

Is there a minimum order/job price?
Yes, our minimum order price is now $250. However, this buys you approximately 4 house of time initially. Whether that time is spent doing setup, drawing or adjusting artwork, or the actual laser firing time, the time is counted all the same.

Why is there a minimum? Are there any exceptions?
Due to the high volume of custom orders in the past year, we have been forced to implement a minimum order price. In many cases, each piece that is sent to us takes some time to test and adjust, due to variations in chrome quality, part shape, etc. Different thicknesses and compositions of chrome will react differently, so each new part requires some experimentation and testing time; we also have to factor in the time to prepare or adjust the artwork. To achieve our quality standards, this is what it takes. It has been more common to use our services for higher volume work, such as adding a dealer logo or riding club insignia to 25 of the same part for 25 bikes; the artwork preparation time, and often the setup time, is the same as a one-off but can be amortized over more parts.
There are rarely if ever any exceptions; although of course you may be able to get more than one part done within the 4-hour minimum; we see this with riding club logos, or his and hers bikes, etc. that can all be done at the same time and if similar enough can be considered one job.

What do you mean by "setup"?
This refers to anything having to do with getting the part ready to be lasered. This can mean the applying of the molybdenum compound itself, or testing the part to find just the right balance of the laser’s speed, power and frequency needed that is often unique to each part. Also, depending on the part, sometimes we will need to make a custom jig to hold the part in a repeatable position or at the proper angle for lasering.

How many hours will my part take? What if it takes more than 4 hours?
The time it takes to run your job varies widely due to the artwork requirements, the size of the part, the overall size and detail or complexity of the artwork, the quality of the chrome, how flat the image area on the part is, etc. Most one-off jobs have fallen within the 4-hour minimum. Beyond that, we charge $60 per hour. If the time is spent drawing your artwork or on the actual lasering time itself, it’s still the same price.

If I have you draw the artwork, will it be any good? How will I know if I like it?
You will get a proof of the artwork sent to you, usually by email or however you prefer, and you will approve it before we start any lasering.
Our artists have more than 12 years combined experience doing artwork and graphic design in the motorcycle industry. In the past our artists have worked for the likes of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Arlen and Cory Ness, Vengeance Motorcycle Co., Hellbound Steel, and Defiant Customs.

LaserTats - 19 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618 - Ph: 949-679-8532