How does the custom panel process work?

There are three phases:

The Design phase where your involvement defines the style, color and any special needs.
The Construction phase where the panel is built based on the approved design.
The Packing and Shipping phase

The Design Phase:

Your input is obtained as it relates to desired size, style, color and specific needs like privacy.
Using scaled sketches, sent as scanned images, I obtain your feedback.
Usually 3 to 4 passes firm up your design needs.
Once a design is firm I offer a fixed price quote good for 30 days.
For special complex projects I may request a design fee that can be used as a credit towards a purchase.

The Construction Phase, general comments:

To start construction a deposit is requested, usually 50%.
I book work based on deposits received. At the time of a deposit I give an estimated ship date based on my workload.
Once started, construction usually covers a period of 5 to 8 days.
I send digital photos as construction proceeds.
When your panel is finished I send final photos. The balance is requested at shipping, usually a day or two after the final photos are sent.
I sign all my custom panels with my initials and the month and year made, GAM mm/yy, so that when I am famous you can prove you have an original.

The Construction Phase, detail of the steps involved:

Generate a full-scale drawing used for construction and to confirm glass segment size.
Cutting the perimeter zinc came which establishes the panel's size.
If the central element is a complex layout, like the Celtic Bevel Knots, I fabricate this section as a single unit to be integrated into the panel. (Only some panels need this step.)
Glass segment cutting and grinding and the cutting and shaping of the lead came that surrounds these elements.
Solder the connections of the lead and zinc came.
Cementing the panel.
After 2 or 3 days, when the cement is dry, the panel is cleaned and then polished with a wax.

The Packing and Shipping Phase:

Inner Shipping Box: This is a sleeve box lined with foam wrap or bubble wrap with the panel inside. The box is strapped to a backing board for extra longitudinal strength.
Outer Shipping Box: The outer box should surround the inner box with at least 4" of shipping peanuts in each direction.
Shipping Limitations: For some design sizes a component design is required to meet safe shipping dimensions. Usually a single unit over 4 to 5 square feet would need to be made in sections.

To see this information in PDF format use the following link -- How does the custom panel process work?. It assumes you have the Adobe Reader available.

Website created by George A. McGinn © 2002-2010.
Page last modified August 3, 2010
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