- 323.651.3824
- help@etchstar.com
- Shipping
- Orders
- Appointments
- Pre-Paid Mail-In service
- My account
- Creating custom products!
- Contributors program
- Copyright policy
- Business-To-Business offerings
- Templates & downloads
- Etchstar.ORG
- Contact customer service
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping Information (U.S.)
Continental United States
Standard: (3 to 5 business days): $9 for the first item plus $2 per additional item (FedEx Ground, UPS Ground or USPS to PO Boxes).
Two-Day: $18 for the first item plus $3 per additional item (FedEx Express)
Overnight: $28 for the first item plus $5 per additional item (FedEx Express).
No weekend delivery unless RUSH is also selected.
EtchStar insures all packages and will replace your device if it gets lost by our carriers. EtchStar does not accept order cancellations on custom products when delays beyond our control, such as weather and package carrier mistakes, take place.
» For information on production timeline or RUSH orders, click here
» For information on shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, APO/FPO or internationally, click here
Shipping Information (outside Continental United States)
Shipping to the continental USA? click here
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
Standard (4 to 9 business days): $18 for the first item plus $5 per additional item (FedEx Ground or USPS to PO Boxes)
Two-Day: $32 for the first item plus $10 per additional item (FedEx Express). No P.O. Boxes.
Overnight: $48 for the first item plus $10 per additional item (FedEx Express) . No weekend delivery. No P.O. Boxes.
All shipping costs in excess of listed shipping costs to the continental US will be billed to the credit card used for the order.
EtchStar insures all packages and will replace your device if it gets lost by our carriers. EtchStar does not accept order cancellations on custom products when delays beyond our control, such as weather and package carrier mistakes, take place.
Click here for additional information about Mail-In service & costs.
APO/FPO
Standard (4 to 9 business days): $18 for the first item plus $5 per additional item. Will ship via USPS.
No expedited service available.
All shipping costs in excess of listed shipping costs to the continental US will be billed to the credit card used for the order.
EtchStar insures all packages and will replace your device if it gets lost by our carriers. EtchStar does not accept order cancellations on custom products when delays beyond our control, such as weather and package carrier mistakes, take place.
Click here for additional information about Mail-In service & costs.
International
International shipping (FedEx International Economy or Express) will be billed at actual cost plus $15 handling.
See FedEx.com for a rate quote to your country.
EtchStar is not responsible for paying any taxes, tariffs or duties related to shipping to your country.
All shipping & handling costs in excess of listed shipping costs to the continental US will be billed to the credit card used for the order.
We ship internationally every day. Even if your credit card won’t work on our site because you live in an unlisted country, we can accept secure payment via PayPal.
Email us at help@EtchStar.com with any questions.
Certain products we sell and certain art we license are not available for sale internationally. We will email you within two business days if there is any problem with your selection and immediately issue a refund.
EtchStar insures all packages and will replace your device if it gets lost by our carriers. EtchStar does not accept order cancellations on custom products when delays beyond our control, such as weather and package carrier mistakes, take place.
Click here for additional information about Mail-In service & costs.
How fast do orders ship? RUSH service
Shipping speeds vary by product and are listed near the “buy” button on the product page.
Most products ship in 5 business days (even Large Volume Orders!)
RUSH service is available for $30 for the first product and $5 per additional product. Large Volume Orders of identical products are charged $30 flat. RUSH service ships your order within 2 business days.
Noon Los Angeles time is the cutoff time for order processing every business day. Orders placed between noon on a Friday noon the next Monday by RUSH order will ship Wednesday (often Tuesday); non-RUSH orders ship the following Monday.
In the unlikely event that EtchStar ships your RUSH order later than 2 business days, we will refund the RUSH fee but cannot accept returns on custom products.
Be sure to select expedited shipping when chosing to RUSH your product for fastest delivery.
Where is my order? When will it arrive?
To track the status of your order, login to your account and click on order info. If you are already logged in, click here
Prices
We always charge the same price as Apple.com or the Apple Store for all Apple products.
Etching prices vary by product and service. See prices by clicking here.
For pricing information on EtchStar.com B2B Services and Retail High Volume Orders, click here.
Business-to-Business, Pre-Loading & Retail High Volume Orders
Retail high volume orders
If you are placing an order for more than 20 iPods or 5 laptops, email us for a quote. Please include the proposed image and target delivery date.
We also offer discounts on larger orders of other custom products including everything from metal business cards & dog tags to skateboards, shoes, wedding & other formal invitations on wood or metal, membership cards, glassware, denim, leather and more. Email us your detailed proposal for a quote. Or, call us at 323.651.3824. Please leave a message if we do not answer. We will return your call by the next business day.
Most of our clients buy iPods in bulk for corporate or personal gifting purposes or to circulate corporate presentations directly on iPods. Our current clients include pharmaceutical companies, energy drink marketers, creative firms, talent agencies and investment banks.
iPod and USB drive Pre-Loading
EtchStar.com offers a Pre-Loading service to place video or audio content onto iPods purchased from us in bulk (over 20 units). Uses for preloading include:
-load corporate seminars and books on tape for employees and clients
-promote your band, movie, etc. with music, trailers or video footage
-product demonstration videos for your sales team
-giveaways and high impact gifts
Business-to-Business
Customization and personalization drive customer passion and loyalty and increases margins.
EtchStar.com is a knowledgeable leader in laser workflow, processes and solutions. We have partnered directly with leading vendors to provide solutions for every unique situation.
We work with leading cosmetics brands, mobile phone service providers, electronics OEMs, sporting goods manufacturers & online retailers. We have worked with dozens of Fortune 500 clients including T-Mobile, Home Depot, Palm and Viacom as well as hundreds of smaller businesses.
Projects range from one-off or recurring piecework to direct integration of EtchStar.com proprietary software, systems, and knowledge into your company’s assembly line or distribution facilities. Direct integration enables on-demand, zero-complexity customization and personalization. EtchStar uses Lean/SixSigma workflow processes ourselves and we apply these tools in our client work.
Products we have customized for B2B partners include baseball bats, cell phones, metal business cards, wood business cards, dog tags, denim, makeup compacts, surf boards, snow boards, guitars, video game consoles, laptops, rear view mirrors, bike parts, wood wedding invitations, shoes, etc.
Contact us at b2b@EtchStar.com or 323.651.3824 to discuss opportunities or for a quote.
Lastly, EtchStar LIVE offers on-site laser customization services for marketing and fun at trade shows, parties, gifting lounges and more.
EtchStar LIVE
EtchStar LIVE is our live event customization service brought to your party, trade show booth, conference or gifting lounge. Email us with your inquiry.
Click here to see pictures of EtchStar LIVE.
Recent live events can be seen on our Blog and Press Page.
Recent events include:
Sundance Film Festival / T-Mobile Diner
James Woods’ 60th birthday party
Golden Globes / Access Hollywood Gifting Lounge with Palm
VH1’s Battle of the Bands at the Home Depot Center
Hip Hop Leadership Program
Elite Bar Mitzvah Parties
Franchise opportunities
EtchStar.com is always looking for qualified partners to help us expand our retail footprint. Email us with information about yourself, your proposed location, etc.
Gift Wrapping
EtchStar offers exquisite silver-on-silver gift-wrapping on all products. The cost varies by product but is generally $7. We exclude receipts with prices for gift wrapped orders.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates are good for 2 years from the date of purchase. You can apply gift credit at checkout by entering your gift certificate serial number in the “Gift code” section. The gift cards are completely transferable and are available here.
Warranty Information
EtchStar customization is perfectly safe for your product.
Customizing your device with us WILL NOT void your iPod or laptop’s warranty.
For non-Apple products, you may want to review your warranty directly, but EtchStar.com customization is “cosmetic” much like adding a sticker (however EtchStar is permanent).
What happens if my iPod or laptop breaks?
Apple services all products under warranty.
For service, call 1-800-MY-APPLE.
For information on Apple Laptop support, click here.
Apple iPod warranty
Every iPod comes with complimentary, single-incident telephone support within 90 days of purchase — perfect for questions about using your iPod for the first time.
Your iPod, its rechargeable battery, and all included accessories are also covered against defects for one full year from the purchase date by a limited hardware warranty. If you do experience problems, even the process to get service is simple and easy. You can take your iPod to a local Apple Store, call our toll-free support line, or start your service request with our online form.
AppleCare Protection Plan (click here to buy it)
To enjoy peace of mind for two full years from the date of iPod purchase, get the award-winning AppleCare Protection Plan. You’ll get unlimited toll-free phone support with our experts, plus global repair or replacement service on your iPod, battery, and included accessories. We recommend that you purchase AppleCare with your iPod to take full advantage of its benefits.
LAPTOPS: The Mac Warranty
Every Mac comes with complimentary, unlimited telephone support within 90 days of purchase — perfect for questions about setting up your Mac, using Mac OS X, and more.
Your Mac hardware and all included accessories are also covered against rare defects for a full year from the purchase date by a limited hardware warranty. If you do experience problems, even the process to get service is simple and easy. You can take your Mac to a local Apple Store, call our toll-free support line, or start your service request with our online form.
AppleCare Protection Plan (click here to buy it)
To enjoy peace of mind for three full years from your purchase date, simply choose the award-winning AppleCare Protection Plan. You’ll get unlimited toll-free phone support with our experts, plus global repair or replacement service on your Mac and included accessories. Mac mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro customers may also register one Apple display for coverage, provided that the Mac and the display are purchased together.
Return information
If you purchase non-custom items from EtchStar.com, we are happy to accept returns on non-customized items returned in their original condition within 20 days of purchase.
Email us for a Return Merchandise Authorization number and Return Shipping Address at RMA@etchstar.com. Please be sure to include your order number, which item(s) you will be returning, and include the RMA number on the package you ship back to us.
We cannot accept returns on custom items like etched iPods and etched laptops. Please be certain to review the text message and art selection carefully.
We highly recommend buying Apple Care Protection Plan when buying new Apple products.
Appointments
Can’t live without your laptop or other device for three days? Make an appointment to customize your laptop in person!
Most products can be customized within an hour.
Click here to make an appointment.
Prepaid Mail-In Service
Click here if you live outside the continental United States of America.
It’s easy to customize a device you already own
1)You will receive a prepaid shipping label in PDF form via email within 1 business day. The label will be for Federal Express 2-Day service unless you choose “Overnight” service on checkout.
2)Print this label and apply it to a securely packed box containing your device. Schedule a pickup (1-800-GOFEDEX or www.fedex.com) or drop the package at your closest FedEx location. Be sure to include your order number and contact information inside the box!
3)We customize your product within 5 days of receiving it (2 days for RUSH!). We send it back to you at the speed you request at checkout.
*If you live in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, please note that EtchStar.com will bill your credit card an additional $15 Mail-In orders.
**Mail-In orders from abroad cost the same as regular products (just check out with the Mail-In service in your cart), but EtchStar does not send you a prepaid label. Instead, ship your device with clearly written order number and contact information BOTH inside and outside the box and ship it at your own expense by FedEx, DHL or UPS to EtchStar:
EtchStar International Receiving
8205 Santa Monica Blvd #1-206
West Hollywood, CA 90046
USA
+1-323-651-3824
Select the speed of shipping you want for return shipment at checkout. For outgoing international shipping costs click here.
Safe shopping guarantee
At EtchStar, our #1 priority is to make sure you have a secure, safe and satisfying experience.
The EtchStar Secure Shopping Guarantee: Your credit card transactions with us are 100% safe. Period.
Our secure server software (SSL) is the e-commerce industry standard and encrypts all payment information when you make a purchase. This means no one will ever gain access to your private information.
We use only Authorize.Net to process all transactions securely.
Creating an account
Etchstar accounts allow you to track your orders and view any art you have contributed.
Click here to create an account.
If you already have an account, you can log in by clicking here.
If you have an account and lost your password or your login name, click here.
How do I change my user information, address or Contributor Profile?
Click here to update your account profile.
I forgot my password or login name
Click here to reset your password or retrieve your login name.
How will art look on my iPod, Laptop, Cell Phone or other product?
- What does my product look like etched?
- Default Art & font placement & sizing
What does my product look like etched?
Here are samples to give you a sense of what your etching will look like, though results vary based on material and art. You can see more in our Example Portfolio.
Device |
Etched Color |
iPhone |
silvery-white |
Shuffle |
silvery-white |
Nano (2nd Generation) |
silvery-white |
Nano (3rd Generation) |
black |
iPod Classic, Video |
black |
MacBook black |
textured gray |
MacBook white |
black |
MacBook Pro |
silvery white |
Default Art & Text Placement & Sizing
EtchStar.com will customize your product any way you like. You can indicate any special art or font placement specifications upon final checkout right before payment.
Art will always be placed as large as possible within the dimensions of the device. We leave a “bleed” of about 1/4 inch on all sides in any case, unless you request otherwise on final checkout.
Device |
Default Art Placement |
iPhone |
centered below the Apple |
Shuffle |
Art on front to left of controls; text on back above and/or below the Apple, at EtchStar’s discretion |
Old Nano |
just “north” of center, will often cover the Apple |
New Nano |
just “north” of center, will often cover the Apple |
iPod Classic, Video |
just “north” of center, will often cover the Apple |
All Apple Laptops |
centered directly above the Apple as large as possible |
Default text placement is: centered, directly below any art (other than the Shuffle, for which text is on the back while art is on the front).
If you want a non-standard placement, you can indicate your desired art or font placement specifications upon final checkout right before payment. Placement terminology is below:
Choose your font placement
Choose your font placement
Choose where you want the art on your laptop
Uploading my own art for custom products
When uploading your art for custom products, you can upload ANY digital image file.
EtchStar can use digital photos or art files of any sort. We may be in touch by email to get your approval on any modifications of your art required for use with the laser.
If you are a graphics designer (or friends with one!), click here for details on uploading the perfect art.
How to make money with your art
EtchStar offers two ways to get exposure and make money!
1)Share your art to get paid
Upload your art to EtchStar.com and get paid a 10% licensing royalty on the etching fee every time someone uses your art to customize their iPod, laptop or other device.
Click here to 
Click here for Royalty & Payment information
Click here to read the Licensing Agreement
Click here to learn about required file specifications for your uploaded art.
Click here to see recent Community Contributed Art
Community art will be prominently featured on the main EtchStar Art page, ensuring top exposure for Community Artists.
EtchStar regularly reviews uploaded art and will contact you if there are any problems with your art files.
If you ever have questions as an artist, email ArtistRelations@EtchStar.com
Artists and art are the backbone of our company.
2)Affiliate program
Tell your friends and fans about EtchStar.com and get paid!
If you have fans, Myspace friends, Facebook friends, mailing lists, or eyeballs and heavy online traffic, we want to hear from you.
As an affiliate partner, you will be provided with a unique tracking link. You can place this link in emails, on banner ads on your website, on your Myspace page, wherever. Any time someone clicks on the link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn 4%!
To join, email partners@EtchStar.com. Please include a link to your website, Facebook or Myspace site and a sentence or two about how you plan to promote EtchStar and/or your art.
Contributors: Laser Art 101
The following applies only to those uploading art to share with the EtchStar community. If you are creating custom products for your own use you may upload any art or file type.
To make money with your art it needs to be perfect for the laser. Art uploaded to share with the community should conform with the following specifications:
- click here for an EPS template for uploading art to Etchstar
- place your black and white art (no grayscale) on the template
- 300 dpi or higher at 700 pixels x 700 pixels (600 dpi is ideal)
- art should be uploaded perfectly centered and as large as possible within the constraints of a white canvas square 700 pixels x 700 pixels
Contributors: Royalty reports and balances
EtchStar issues statements and pays royalties to Contributors by check 30 days after the end of calendar quarter, per the terms of our Licensing Agreement.
To confirm we have the correct address on file for royalty mailings, click here.
A completed W9 form is required of all artists before royalty checks will be mailed. Fill it out and print it HERE then sign and fax it to us at 310.356.7237.
Contests
EtchStar gives away one free device etching every quarter.
Winners can choose to customize their laptop, cell phone or iPod.
The current contest is simple:
- 1. upload your art here: http://www.etchstar.com/contribute.php
- 2. make sure your art conforms to Contributor file specifications
- 3. on the 1st, we select the art we like the best and notify the artist by email.
Everyone submitting art this month is automatically entered in the free giveaway.
Copyright Policy
EtchStar believes artists deserve to be paid for their work and will never etch copyrighted images without permission from the Copyright holder.
Every image in our library is under our exclusive license for laser engraving.
If you are uploading art for your own product or to share, please be aware of this policy—we take it very seriously.
Please email at us copyright@EtchStar.com if you have any questions about our policy or if you are a Copyright holder and believe your art has been uploaded by a third party to EtchStar.
If you know of a local mall-based “engraver” using images licensed to EtchStar (ie. in our database), please email us so we can notify our Licensor’s legal departments to take action. We’ll send you a complimentary gift certificate for the tip!
Files & Templates
To download a copy of our Contributor Licensing Agreement, click here.
To download a W-9 in PDF form, click here.
To download our credit card authorization form click here. (Mac: right+click and choose Download Link File)
If you are uploading art to our community, please use this file as a template. [ EtchStarArtUpload.eps ]
Download templates to customize your device exactly as you want it!
Click here for the EPS template for uploading art to share with the EtchStar.com community.
Product |
Format |
|
Metal business cards |
||
Military “dog tags” |
||
17” laptop |
||
15” laptop |
||
13” laptop |
||
iPod nano (new) |
||
iPod nano (old) |
||
iPod Classic / Video / Original |
||
iPod Shuffle (Front) |
||
iPod Shuffle (Back) |
||
iPhone |
||
iPod Touch |
.EPS |
Credit Card Security Number
Credit Card Authorization Form
Click here (Mac: right+click and choose Download Link File) to download the credit card authorization form.
CVV2 code
For your safety and security, EtchStar requires that you enter your card's verification number.
For Visa & Mastercard, see below. If you are paying with American Express, click here.
The verification number is a 3-digit number printed on the back of your card. It appears after and to the right of your card number.
CVV2 code American Express only
The verification number for American Express is a 4-digit number printed on the front of your card.
EtchStar.ORG is a philanthropic fundraising platform that enables celebrity artists to raise money for charitable causes. The concept is simple: we work with artist-partners to offer their original designs in order to raise money for their chosen causes. Every time you laser etch one of their designs, EtchStar donates $5.00 to their designated philanthropic organization.
Each EtchStar.ORG design presented in our gallery is accompanied by information and links so that fans of those artists can educate themselves about their causes. Our goal is to create a mechanism within our online community where influencers can encourage positive action and raise awareness among their fans.
Click here to see and buy EtchStar.ORG products
Contacting customer support
Email: help@EtchStar.com
Phone: 323.651.3824
If we don’t answer, please leave a message and we’ll call you back within one business day.
Please include information such as order number, device to customize, phone number and best times to call. We recommend sending files over 5MB using our partner YouSendIt.com.
We usually respond within one business day.