Crystal Magic, Inc., based in Orlando, Florida is a provider of personalized photo products, including custom laser engraved crystal products (surface and sub-surface), dye sublimation and Giclee.  During the last nine years, we manufactured over a 1,000,000 personalized image and photo products.  Crystal Magic owns and operates sales concessions at Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks, Universal Studios Resorts and Parks, and partnership concessions at major Casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Crystal Magic also has a worldwide network of authorized dealers and distributors representing our products in retail chains, gift stores, malls, tourist attractions and the promotional products industry.  Crystal Magic products have been sold at over 20,000 locations around the world. 

The Crystal Magic Sub-Surface Laser Etched Crystals.  2D photographs, 3D images and text are laser etched inside optically perfect laser crystal using specialized laser systems.  2D images are captured using common digital cameras (1 mega pixel or greater) or a scan of a common photograph using a flatbed scanner.  3D images consist of one or more of the 1,250+ 3D images in our Library, custom 3D images we create for you, personalized text, logos and 3D head/bust images from our 3D scanning system.  Multiple images and image formats can be combined in any laser crystal piece.  Your final layout is crafted by one of our digital artists using our specialized laser crystal control software.  This control software formats the digital images) and provides etching instructions to a laser station.  Thousands, sometimes even millions of tiny perfectly positioned fractures recreate the desired etched image inside the laser crystal.  No damage occurs to the surface of the crystal and the resulting images appear to float within the crystal.  A typical finished piece has anywhere from 20,000 - 5,000,000 fractures.

Crystal Magic, Inc. is a licensee of U.S. Patent No. 5,206,496, which was filed in the United States on August 15, 1991.  This patent covers the making, using, selling or other disposition of Sub Surfaced engraved products.  All sub surface laser engraved products for any markets (promotional products, retail, wholesale ..) manufactured and sold by Crystal Magic, Inc. are covered under this license.

Dye-sublimation

Dye-Sublimation or Sublimation for short is the process of ink changing into a gas or vapor, without first passing through the intermediary liquid state. An example of this process which most recognize is "dry ice."  In the printing world, the term sublimation is used to describe heat-activated inks that change into a gas when heated and have the ability to bond with ceramic, polyester, acrylic and other surfaces.

How Sublimation works? Using an inkjet printer and special dye-sublimation inks the desired image is printed to special sublimation transfer paper.  The transfer paper is then placed on the sublimation-ready product using various pressure devices.  The sublimation product with the attached transfer paper is then placed in an oven or on a heat press.  The heating process activates the ink in the transfer paper and changes the ink into a gas.  At the same time, the heat causes a molecular change (greater porosity) in the surface of the sublimation product.  The sublimation product then absorbs the gas resulting in a transfer of the image on the transfer paper to the sublimation product.  A pressure of approximately 40lbs. per square inch is needed to insure that the gaseous vapor is forced inside the surface of the sublimation product. When the sublimation product is removed from heat its polymer surface cools and regains its original qualities with the ink gases trapped within the surface of the product. Much like a tattoo, the image is below the surface, protected from the elements that could cause a decal to scratch, fade or peel.

Benefits of Sublimation? Any digital image (including photographs) can be printed and be ready to sublimate in a matter of minutes as opposed to silk screening which requires a setup process to create the screen.  The sublimation process is perfect for projects numbering from one to thousands of custom pieces.  Although, the cost benefits of sublimation are probably better suited for smaller quantity (1-100) custom projects, the resulting product is superior to silk screening.  The full color benefits of sublimation and the finish offer spectacular results.  Due to ink impregnating the sublimation product polymer surface there is much greater durability than silk screening.  Sublimated images are extremely washable, scratch resistant and dishwasher safe because the image is protected within the surface.  Sublimation can be applied to floor tiles and withstand daily foot traffic.

What can be sublimated? There are hundreds of blanks that can be sublimated.  We inventory many blanks, but have access to a wide variety of other sublimation products.  Please see our Photo-Gift pricing for our current products, if you do not see what you want on our price list, please call us for other sublimation options.

Giclee (zhee-CLAY)? 

A Giclee is a high-resolution printing process on a special large format printer. Giclees are produced from digital scans or photographs. Giclees can be printed on a number of media types, from canvas, watercolor paper, vinyl, metals to transparent acetates. Giclees are superior to lithography, the colors are brighter and last longer. Giclee width is limited to the print width of our printers (up to 42"), but the length of the print can be almost 60".

Giclees use inkjet technology, but are far more sophisticated than your desktop printer. The process employs at least six colors compared to only 3 colors in most consumer inkjet printers. The inks are very specialized and some are guaranteed to last up to 70 years.

Giclees are often confused with oil paintings from a distance and are perfect for office art or promotions. Giclees can be produced economically in limited quantities. Giclees can stretched and mounted on wood stretcher bars and hung like original art or framed.

The History of Crystal Magic

Crystal Magic, Inc. was founded in 1998 to create a fusion of photography, computers, software and laser technology.  In 1999 after extensive research and development we offered our first high-resolution 2D facial image at a retail location.  We opened our first theme park sales location at Walt Disney World’s Epcot® theme part in 1999 and in 2000 opened four stores at Universal Studios.  Our first international theme park location opened in 2001 at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.  In 2001 we opened at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando and additional locations within Universal Studios.  In 2003 we opened additional Disney locations at Disneyland in California.  In 2004 we expanded our product reach to over 15,000 retail locations in the US, including some of the largest retail chains in the world.   In 2005 we expanded our product offerings to include Dye Sublimation products, Giclee (large format printing to real artist canvas using special archival inks) and photo posters. 

What Makes Crystal Magic Unique?

We offer crystals with up to 12 individual 2D faces etched in a single crystal.  We also offer multiple 3D head etched into one crystal.  Your crystal can combine facial images (2D or 3D) with other 3D graphics (see 3D graphic library list) and text.  The result is a highly personalized gift or keepsake.  Crystal Magic products are ideally suited for life’s special events: Births, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Christmas, Hanukah, School Graduations, Bar Mitzvahs, Family Reunions, St. Valentines Day, Memories of those departed, and hundreds of other occasions. 

Custom Laser Etched Wedding pieces, for example can include: faces of the bride and groom, a highly detailed 3D chapel and text for the date and names of the bride and groom.  When you look through the open doors of the 3D chapel you will find pews, chandeliers, and a 3 dimensional bride and groom standing in front of an altar.   

Other examples of our capabilities include your favorite college or high school graduate, their school logo, a 3D school mascot and text for the graduate and graduation date.   How about your child’s image with a 3 dimensional birthday cake and the date?

Who Can Sell Crystal Magic Products?

We are seeking authorized resellers who have established retail operations or wish to open a new business in highly trafficked locations.  Opportunities are also available to those interested in direct marketing or selling over the Internet.  We will help resellers develop specialized pieces that are ideally suited for their intended customer base.

Crystal Magic Product Lines

Crystal Magic Gifts & Keepsakes  We offer "stock" and custom crystals in over 30 crystal shapes and sizes.  Custom pieces can include 2D and 3D facial images, other 2D and 3D images of objects and personalized text.  Custom pieces usually total about 75% to 90% of the total sales at a typical retail location.   

Stock Image Crystals  Each "stock" image crystal comes with ONE of the “stock” graphics from our extensive Image Library.  The Image Library includes over 1,250+ diverse images: architectural, people/anatomy, birds/sea life, fictional, animals/reptiles, business, life’s events/holidays, musical, pets (over 800 dog, cat, horse and fox hunting images), patriotic, religious, flowers/insects, sports, transportation and things.  Stock images are centered inside the crystal and do not contain any text or facial images.   Please review the Image Library to see what is offered.  The Image library continues to grow each and every day.

Custom Images Custom Pieces combine the graphics described above with the addition of 2D photos and personalized text/captions.  Custom pieces will account for most of your sales.  2D photos are popular because your customer may want their favorite picture or a picture of someone who is not available for a digital photo etched inside their crystal.  Custom pieces are suited to special memories for life’s special events: a new baby, family photo’s, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, religious events, family reunions, holidays, pets and remembrances of those close to us that have departed.

Photo Crystals  All our crystals can have a photo etched into the crystal using a 2D or 2 1/2D process.  Photo Crystals also include our unique Presentation crystals as well as Crystal Portrait crystals.  Crystal Portraits are beveled square pieces of crystal,  each Crystal Portrait is approximately 3/8” thick and currently comes in two height and width options: 3.5” x 5” & 5” x 7”.  Each Crystal Portrait comes with a plastic base attachment so that it will stand up. 

The Presentation crystal is a Crystal Portrait with a solid crystal base.  Presentation crystals come in 6 different sizes with horizontal or vertical layouts. 

3D Heads & Busts  At the 2002 Olympics we were the first company to offer 3D heads or busts within minutes.  Using a 3D scanner we scan a person’s head, or head and shoulders and etch the image inside a crystal.  The scanner captures almost a 180 degree view of a person’s face.  Looking at the facial image from the rear is a reverse of the front image.  3D Busts require a specialized 3D scanner and software developed by Crystal Magic.  We offer more than one head in a crystal as well as the size the head image is sized to the crystal.  We are even able to scan people with dark hair and children.

3D Scanner & Software (Optional)  We package our 3D scanners with specialized software that manages image capture, customer review, editing and is fully integrated with GlassBlaster.  Some resellers have experienced over $2,000 in sales per day in sales with 3D scanners.

3D Heads from Traditional Photographs.  We are now able to convert traditional photographs into 3D head images.  The finished results are very similar to using a specialized 3D scanner. 

Key Chains  We offer lighted and non-lighted crystal key chains.  Our crystal key chains are available with a number of image options and they are a big seller during the holidays or other special times, like Valentines Day.  Many images are available for "Stock" key chains.  Custom keychains include your favorite etched photo. 

Crystal Shapes and Sizes  We offer over 60 crystal shapes and sizes.  Our diverse crystal shapes include cubes, cut corners cubes, many sizes of rectangles, showcase, mountain, round-top, trophy, aspen cathedral, president, obelisks, pyramid, mirror, arc, ornaments, key chains and flat crystal for photo portraits.  Each piece is packaged in a foam and silk lined gift box.  Some of our larger crystals measure almost 12 inches tall and weigh over 30 pounds!  We offer our exclusive Presentation crystals using the 2D and 2 1/2D etching process.  Never before has laser etched crystals looked so good. 

Museum and Art Pieces  We offer specially designed large (10” x 6” x 5”) crystal pieces weighing over 30 pounds that are suitable for special awards or pieces of art. 

Licensed Pieces  We are constantly work to secure licensing so our resellers can resell licensed images.  We will also produce limited edition pieces for special occasions.  We currently offer licensed products from Eileen Borgeson. 

Dye Sublimation process products include: photo mugs, mouse-pads, t-shirts, plaques, keepsake boxes, keychains,

Lighted and Non-Lighted Bases  We offer a diverse selection of bases which complement our crystal products.  Some bases are lighted (multiple colors), revolve, come in walnut, “real” marble and have mirror tops.  The lighted bases shine light into the crystal illuminating the image from below.  Each etching point inside the glass reflects the light and greatly enhances the etched image.

What Does the Custom Crystal Price Include?  Custom crystal pricing includes etching one image into the crystal.  An image is defined as a picture you send us, an image from our Image Library, a custom 3D image or text.  Cropping of the submitted photo, minor improvements of the photo image and preparing the image for laser etching are included in the Custom Crystal price for each piece.   Additional images (photographs, images from our Image Library, custom 3D images and text) can be added to any Custom Crystal, see price list for additional charges.   

Reseller Opportunities   Reseller opportunities include: mall carts/kiosks, inline stores, gift stores, theme parks, websites, corporate sales, schools, sales to fund raising entities and many others. 

Is There An Investment Necessary to Be A Crystal Magic Reseller?  We are not a franchise and do not require any franchise fees.  We offer several reseller programs: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. 

Retail Locations & Equipment  A good retail location sometimes totals no more than 50 square feet of total floor space.  Minimum equipment necessary to run a retail location would include: a cash register, a display case, telephone, computer, digital camera and Internet access.  Retail displays can be designed for placement in high traffic areas, shopping malls or within an existing retail store.  3D scanners and lasers can be fully integrated into the displays and kiosks.    

Do You Need to Be a Professional Photographer or Graphic Artist?  No, all you need is a basic digital camera, a computer system, printer, flat bed scanner and Internet access.  We provide our resellers with simple instructions to insure they select or take the right type of photographs.  A reseller does not need any special graphic artist skills or experience.  Special backgrounds, lighting or other specialized photography equipment are helpful, but most of the time unnecessary.   

Do I Need a Laser System to Be a Reseller?  First, laser systems are expensive, very complicated and require licensing.  We only offer Reseller programs and do not sell laser etching machines. 

Retail Point-of-Sale/Order Technology  We have developed internet based sales order system which is available to all Resellers.  This technology is used to enter your order information, review customer pictures or images, select 2 & 3D images from our Library, enter shipping info and entry of personalized text.  The system then manages transmission of your order to us through the Internet.  You are able to check the status of your orders and obtain shipping information (date of shipment and tracking #) at any time.

How Will My Shipments Be Sent?  Normally we ship orders via UPS Ground which takes an average of 1-5 days to reach you depending on your proximity to the Florida production facility.  If we ship your orders once a week your shipping costs will be approximately 80% less or about $.95 per pound than shipping individual orders.  Shipping for individual orders via UPS Ground is about $5 for the first pound and $1.00 per pound thereafter, plus shipping and handling charge of $3.00 per piece.  Shipping insurance is also available if you wish. 

How Will I Know If My Order Has Been Received and When Will It Be Shipped?  The order system calculates the estimated shipment date when you enter an order, usually within 7 calendar days or sooner.  Once the piece is completed and shipped, the reseller can review our ordering system to determine an estimated arrival date and a tracking number. 

How Quickly Can a Custom Order Be Processed?  Our Orlando manufacturing facility operates 7 days a week, up to 24 hours a day when necessary, 365 days a year.  Orders can be shipped within 1 - 7 days after our receipt of your order.  You can choose whether you want the order shipped back to your location or we can drop ship the order directly to the customer.  When we drop ship to your customer, your Company and address appear on the shipping documents.  Shipping is not included, all orders ship FOB Orlando.  A small handling fee is charged with each order.  Rush order delivery options are available to guarantee faster shipment. 

Shipment of your orders once a week is the most cost effective shipping method. If you prefer, individual orders can be shipped after they are produced, but shipping of individual orders can cost approximately 5 times greater than shipping orders once a week. 

Large multiple piece orders (100 pieces or more) are typically shipped within 7 to 14 days after receipt of the order and approval of acceptable art.  Orders up to 500 pieces will typically be shipped within 30 days.  If you have a large rush order, we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs! 

We can also ship via one, two and three day air service.  Shipping by air is more expensive than ground, but may be necessary for some orders or where your customer is willing to pay an express service fee.  Again, remember all shipping costs from the Orlando production facility are the responsibility of the Reseller.

Can We Provide Proofs?  We can provide electronic proofs of your order prior to processing an order.  The electronic proof is sent via e-mail and will represent what the piece will look like when finished.  Electronic proofs are computer simulated renderings of the final piece and some people have told us they thought the electronic proof was a picture of their finished piece.  There is a $10.00 charge for each electronic proof. 

Do We Offer Samples?  Your sales can be greatly improved with a good inventory of compelling samples.  Special pricing is offered for samples, a list of recommended samples is available.  If you are selling in a mall we believe you will need at least 35 to 75 samples to make an impressive and compelling display.  See our list of over 1,250 3D images that can be included with your orders at no charge. 

What If I Want Custom 3D Images That Are Not In the 3D Image Library?  We can create 3D images that are not included in the 3D library.  There is usually a charge for custom 3D images and the charge is based on the complexity of the image.  It will usually take us approximately two to three weeks to complete a custom 3D image after we receive your final designs.  We will need pictures of the image from the top and several different side views.  If you can provide us with the appropriate 3D format for your custom image there may not be any charges.  After we have completed your custom 3D image you may use it as many times as you would like at no additional charge.

Crystal Magic Management Team  Crystal Magic's management team has more than 100 combined years of laser, dye sublimation and Giclee experience and operation of venues at major theme parks, casinos and other famous tourist attractions around the world.  We have produced over 1,000,000 personalized products in the past 9 years. 

How Do I Become a Reseller?

To become a reseller, we may require:

 Potential Reseller Opportunities