Good Point, so I'll wait on whomever would want any of the ones in particular.

 

I have an out-sourcing company that does vectorizing for me for merely cents.... (I've been an Art Director for over 8 years, and have a lot of connections throughout the world) So not really too crazy , but like stated above by rawk, I don't want to tick anyone off, so I'll just stick to my originals and keep progressing.... Then if anyone would ever want one of those in particular, they can go through all of the ownership rights, and submit me the artwork themselves. Good point again rawk

For me personally to vectorize them all , yeah right. That would take me years!!! To say the least...

 

Definitely could be done. Man, I really need to get the website up and going, so you guys/gals can see this stuff, without me stepping on NAM's toes at all. That's the absolute last thing that I want to do. I LOVE NAM!!!!!! That's mainly why I wanted you guy's input more than any other forum out there...

 

Can't you set yourself up as a vendor?

 

Just honestly have never looked into it yet.. And yes would be the short answer. How, not exactly sure what's all involved yet, and $$$.. Looking into it though very, very soon.

 

Wow, how dirty can ones car be, by only driving it 7 miles one direction to work..... after washing it and putting it straight in garage, last night. Then on the way into work today ran into a slight drizzle, like barely visible...... but ANYWAYS, don't mind the dirty car ! The badge has no sign of this drizzle... So that's good to know. R&D.

Here are a few a little better quality pictures that I took of what would be the "Base model" Badge (for lack of a better word), Just plain flat wood, without any engravings, burnings or anything....

The company that I actually work for has just came up with a formula for screen printed transfers, that can be applied to wood, like yesterday. That's pretty darn impressive also....(Its not available to the public yet, but I've seen it work. And the results are amazing) So this is even giving this idea, all more of a reason to go go go full force ...







This is just the one that I'm running on my car recently, and more info to come everyone....... Plus remember this was just made with a "scrap" piece of wood I had lying around. So some imperfections, are slightly present. But ones I make for others will not, of course!!!

 

Everyone, I'm not too sure how else to describe what we're shooting for with these badges without showing some sort of example:

Like: http://www.omericaorganic.com/plugs?pg=1.

Now that link takes you to the BEST plug company out there, IMO (of course), but if you do go there and scroll through some of their designs, you'll get more of an idea on what we're trying to do here, with the lasering and inlaying. I just hope this helps you guys kinda understand where we're going for here. GOTTA LOVE OMERICA, if you have stretched lobes that is!! I own at least 10 or so pair of their plugs, and they are "flawless" every time...

Basically we will also have different levels of badges available, with different processes done to them. And give-aways, and all that fun stuff.

 

Just wanted to update everyone with a couple new woods that my supplier is saying will work well for these badges...... Can't wait to get my hands on a couple of these...


The Black one at the bottom left is the Black Gabony wood, that I was mentioning earlier on here, with making "the SPORTIER" badges out of.

 

Nice wood man! Hehehe like the samples. I noticed the edges on the other pics were a lil hard. I think they would look nice rounded out. Let's see some graphics on them now man!

 

Would it be more difficult to see the laser engravings on the dark woods, or will they be painted a contrasting color?

 

The final design of the product, is actually a little thicker that what's on my car in the previous posts. It's came a long way, pretty quick actually. And the edges are actually going to have options there too, such as just a beveled edge, or a muti-beveled edge - if that makes sense. Again, pics will follow.

 

Yes it definitely would, that's why they will mainly be "inlayed" with contrasting wood. For example, what I'm liking a lot, is the dark ebony, with grey wooden inlays. Don't get me wrong, I will be able to take custom orders, like your mentioning paint inside the engraving. But that will be a custom type of order. I'm trying to stay all wood, all the time. Hope this helps answer your good question!

 

I'm going to at least put up some technical drawings of where I'm at with these so you guys/gals have a better idea on where everything is heading. (the actual badge itself design & options). Like I've said, it's not as plain as, or as thin as or as straight of cut edges as what's on my car above anymore. sorry for the run-on sentence there. Haha.

 

I know I know. I promise you I'm working on getting pics of at least the R50 & R53 complete badges on here as soon as possible. It's times like these that I wish I could devote 110% of my time and energy on these badges. Right this second I have about 85% of my time for them solely.

 

So basically the edges on the "basic" ones will basically look like this. Not quite as beveled as this piece, but you get the idea. (sorry for the old iPhone pic, with terrible lighting!!!) Just wanted to show the bevel I'm referring to. This won't be for all badges, but an option for those who like that style better. I have other "edge" ideas that are much more detailed also. Just not in my shop with me at the moment.

 

Oh - I must have missed the inlaid wood part...I like that idea better

 

Honestly Denzien I might have not ever been perfectly clear at any one given point on this thread. Basically just trying to keep this as updated as possible, while being in the middle of getting these rolling. And working on the actual website to make it as clear and precise, and SIMPLE. Just been a lot going on and have probably have had some "scatter-braining" ideas going back and forth. But honestly, that's exactly what I want and need from you guys. All your opinions and things that you'd maybe want to sport on your own MINI. I know I have a lot of ideas going, but just looking out to everyone else, at a great point in the business for all your input. As anyone of your ideas could ultimately be translated into an awesome product. Thanks for all the input from everyone so far!!!!!! They will ALL be taken into serious consideration at production time!

 

http://directlyart.com/

So figured I'd just throw this up.... No real links yet... But, getting there while other things are being done !!

 

 

We're slowly getting there, but thanks for the

 

So I have had to go through a lot of paperwork recently with producing these badges for public sale, and since I haven't had the laser inlay completed on any one completed badge, I had to at least show them what I was referring to - EXACTLY. So no better way for me to do that than the old Photoshop. But I figured I'd definitely show this with everyone here too, since you've been here since the idea began basically.......



This is just one of my favorites, basically because that's what I drive obviously.. Hope you guys/gals are liking where I'm heading though!!! Let me know your thoughts....

 

I'm also now going to be making these out of all different colored acrylics also. Even glass/steel, but those will be down the line.. I won't be able to guarantee the glass ones however not breaking in daily drivers , but maybe for car show days, or any sort of special occasions people may want to sport them. Or give them as beautiful gifts to say the least. I'll let you in on more of that stuff tomorrow though. I'm beat tonight!! And coffee can't keep me going any longer today..

 

Will the grain of the inlays be perpendicular to that of the base?

 

Actually this will just depend on the pieces of wood being worked with at each point in time. So to directly answer your question, they might be? It will all depend on our Quality Control on that particular piece. If it looks best to have them cross grained or perpendicular to one another, or not, per piece. For a good example though, I do know that I have a pair of inlayed plugs in my ears right now that were bought as a pair, and one of the inlays is in one direction and the other two are also in different directions. Not on both plugs, but one's that way, and on the other, they are 2 one direction and 1 the other (almost). So basically what I'm saying is that all 3 woods used in my "PLUGs" example are all going different angles. So, not sure if that helps answer your question or not, but I do know they look great.

Now if your wondering this due to expansion and whatnot, this will not be a problem, due to all our woods being used will be air/kiln dried to exact specs, and then the sealant that these puppies are going to have applied, will also not let them warp and or expand/contract. Under normal driving conditions throughout all of our North American region at least. Don't have exact temperature degrees obviously yet to publish, but we will. Granted in the long run, they might even come with "special polish". But again no finals on that either....

 

Just out of curiosity, did I help answer your question Denzien?