We manufacture wooden boxes from over 200 different templates in our design data base. Templates we can be customised to  the sizes and orientation to suit your needs at a small additional fee. These boxes can also be personalised with our laser engraving machine, whether it is engraving on the surface of one or all panels of the boxes, or creating a full coverage designed panel The price of personalising is calculated by the machine time used to complete an engraved  design on the project. 

Digitally printed vinyl, laminated with clear vinyl  can be applied  as a final finish to the product adding another level of personalisation. 

Other than the standard 3mm MDF wood that we use most often in our manufacturing process, there are a few different types of MDF and Veneer Laminates available for an even more customized look and feel.

We use two different industrial laser machines to manufacture these custom wooden boxes:

• 80 watt laser for engraving and cutting
• 180 watt laser for cutting (too strong to engrave fine details)

This market is a rich opportunity for design freedom for personalisation.

suggested use opportunities |

• Gift hamper packaging
• Mother’s day gifts
• Father’s day gifts
• Unique wooden wine boxes
• Jewellery boxes/packaging
• Valentine’s day gift packaging
• Corporate hampers
• School hampers/gifts
• Teachers/student gifts

Personalised hampers can be filled with a variety of over gifts available  online | www.redblock.co.za.

We do not offer pre-packing or gift packing service.

• What if I need something specific?

If none of the template options suit your needs, we are happy to discuss your customised needs. Simply contact us to discuss your requirements, ideas and questions and we will happily find the perfect solution for you.

• How do I place an order for a wooden gift box?

We need your artwork print-ready – this means on a template and full vector format. If you are unable to supply the artwork in this format, there may be an additional layout or artwork fee involved. Please email the following information to us, which includes artwork, size and quantities required and we will respond with a quote. Upon accepting your quote with a full payment, you will receive a pre-production drawing to confirm that everything is correct. Depending on the quantity and type of product ordered, you can expect a lead time of 4-5 working days for your order to be completed. Our minimum order amount is R500 excluding VAT.

Denser, more durable wood is usually more expensive than the lighter, engineered wood types. To router hardwoods with a CNC machine or engraver takes about four times longer and routing bits become worn out much faster resulting in higher costs involved. We offer three different types of wood:

1. Engineered wood
2. Softwood
3. Hardwood

Engineered wood

This is a man-made artificial product, manufactured from derivative wood products such as veneers and fibres. Engineered wood is one of the most cost effective types of composite wood boards and is much cheaper than hardwood. It also has the advantage that it can be cut much faster than hardwoods.

It is the most suited wood for painting. MDF engineered wood is available in thicknesses of 5mm or 16mm in the nine pastel colours, other than the standard yellow-brown colour. The standard brown MDF is available in thicknesses of 3-30mm, and come in a sheet size of 2750 x 1830mm. This is the most common engineered wood we use.

We can also pre mix colours to spray paint the MDF cut-outs to specific Pantone colours, in which case we will charge you a setup fee, and pricing will depend on total square meter coverage thereafter.

Softwood

Softwood is sourced from evergreen trees with pin needle-type leaves. Worldwide there are about 600 different species of softwood of which only 40 are used commercially. The advantage of this type of wood is that it is not artificially manufactured and that it looks like hardwood, especially when varnished, without breaking the bank, or our routing bits. The most commonly found softwood in our industry is SA Pine or European Redwood.

Hardwood

When we refer to hardwoods, we refer to durable, long-lasting woods. Hardwood comes from trees that lose their leaves annually. As a result of the extreme durability and density of this wood, cutting and engraving of patterns, shapes and letters take a bit longer to complete than engineered wood or softwood.

Hardwood is commonly used when manufacturing chopping blocks, durable plaques and any indoor signage where you prefer the beautifully intricate grains that hardwoods offer.

Different than engineered woods, hardwoods are not supplied in large sheets, but rather strips of about 200-300mm wide and 5-6m in length, which is also variable from wood to wood as it is a natural product. These strips of natural wood are laminated to manufacture larger boards.

• What do you need to work out a quotation for custom wooden products?

1. Artwork for cutting and engraving. This includes the contour or shape of the final product. Or if you are unable to provide this, send us as much information and images as you can so we can work out a design fee for you
2. We supply the wood or you will supply the wood
3. Size of both, the wood as well as the size of the engraved artwork

• What is the lead time of orders?

Our average lead time is about 4-5 working days after layout is approved and payment is received.  Any intricate work or special requests will take longer to complete. Should you want your wood sprayed with a Pantone colour, it takes about 2 working days for the paint to be mixed. Thus, custom painted wood cut-outs and panels will take about 5-7 working days. If your order requires the use of rare wood, we will request you supply the wood to us.

• Can I supply my own wood to be cut and routed?

You are most welcome to supply your own material, but we do not take responsibility for any damages out of our control, for instance, power interruptions, moisture in wood, etc.

• Is my order limited to a size to be cut or engraved?

On our routing bed, we are limited to 1.3 x 2.5m, and on our laser engraver we are limited to 1.3 x 0.9m.

• Is my order limited to a thickness of wood?

We can cut up to 25mm thickness wood. Should your requirements be thicker than this, we can glue two pieces of wood together, but a hairline seam will be visible. This is recommended for engineered wood only.

• How will singular letters or cut-out motives be attached against a wall or flat surface?

We use either aluminium stand-offs – quantity dependent on the size of the wooden sign, which are visible from the front, or 2-3 screws mounted at the back of the motives which are not visible from the front.