The workshop · since 2017
How we make it
From an oak log out of a Lubusz forest to a finished, engraved box — seven stages of hand production. No secrets, no "magic", no hidden semi-finished imports. Here we show exactly what we make, how, and from what.
Every box that arrives in your parcel goes through 7 production stages spread over 2+ years (most of which is the time the wood needs to stabilise). Below are the details of each step — this is not marketing, it is the workshop standard we have followed since 2017.
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1
Sourcing timber from the Polish State Forests
We buy our timber from the Polish State Forests — mainly oak, pine and birch from local forest districts in the Lubusz region. We select logs free of through knots and core cracks, grades A and B. All raw material is FSC certified (legal origin, sustainable forest management). Every log receives a tracking number — from felling to finished product we know which tree it came from.
The choice of species depends on the product: oak for premium boxes (density 0.68-0.79 g/cm³, highly scratch-resistant), pine for economy boxes (lighter, paler, easier to work), birch for details and interior linings (light, even grain). We do not use imported exotic timber — a deliberate choice: local supply chains, a lower carbon footprint and verifiable quality.
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2
Seasoning and drying
Every board is seasoned for a minimum of 2 years. Phase one: 12-18 months outdoors under a shelter (the wood loses moisture slowly, without cracking). Phase two: 60-90 days in a drying kiln at 35-50°C. The target: 8-10% moisture content (per EN 13183-1, the standard for timber used indoors).
Why so long? Improperly dried wood keeps "moving" after cutting — dimensions shift with the seasons, cracks and warping appear. In a finished box that means a sticking lid, poorly fitted drawers and cracks around the engraving. Our 8-10% moisture standard is stricter than the requirement for furniture (12%) — it eliminates virtually all deformation problems in everyday use.
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3
Cutting, sizing and calibration
We cut the components from boards on panel saws with a tolerance of ±0.2 mm. Every component then passes through a calibrating thickness planer — we level the thickness to exactly the same dimension across the whole batch. This is crucial for boxes with drawers and sliding lids: a 0.3 mm difference between walls means a drawer that jams or rattles.
We work in batch production (typically 20-50 units of the same model at a time) — this lets us set the machines precisely once and get repeatable results. After sizing we rout the edges (R2-R5 mm round-overs) and cut the joints that connect the walls (rebated or mortise-and-tenon corner joints).
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4
Three-stage sanding
Sanding is done in 3 stages of decreasing grit size: P80 (coarse levelling), P180 (removing the P80 scratches), P320 (final smoothing before finishing). Each stage has to be done thoroughly — skipping a grit leaves scratches that only become visible after oiling, when they can no longer be fixed without stripping the entire finish.
After P320 the surface has a roughness of Ra ≈ 1.5-2 µm (smooth to the touch, yet keeping the texture of the wood — not polished to a mirror). This is the optimal base for hardwax oils — too smooth a surface takes the finish poorly, too rough a surface absorbs it excessively and blotches.
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5
Finishing: oil + wax
We use clear hardwax oils (Osmo Hartwachs-Öl or Liberon Pure Tung Oil) — they penetrate the pores of the wood and cure inside them, protecting it from within (rather than forming just a thin film on the surface like varnish). We apply 2 coats with 12 hours of drying in between. After oiling we apply a thin layer of beeswax + carnauba — it gives a delicate satin sheen and water repellency.
What this means in practice: the box can be wiped with a damp cloth, water does not soak in immediately (a droplet sits for 30-60 seconds before being absorbed), and minor scuffs can be wiped away with a damp cloth without damaging the finish. The finish is food-safe (the same oils are used on chopping boards) and odour-free once fully cured (4-6 days). We do not use acrylic or polyurethane lacquers — they give a "plastic" gloss, chip on impact and cannot be refreshed without a complete strip-down.
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6
CO2 laser engraving
We engrave with a 40-80W CO2 laser (wavelength 10,600 nm — a band that wood absorbs particularly well). The laser chars the surface to a depth of 0.2-0.8 mm — controlled carbonisation produces a dark brown/black colour without any paints or dyes. Every engraving design is checked manually: we verify the legibility of the text at the target size, the contrast of the logo on the given wood species (pine shows engraving more clearly than oak) and the correct rendering of diacritics and special characters.
When engraving a logo from a client's file: we convert it to vector (if it arrives as a raster we warn about quality loss at small sizes), test it on a sample of the same wood species as the product, and run a pass at parameters 20% lower than final to check the contrast — only then do we engrave the box itself. Typical design + engraving time for one personalised piece: 15-25 minutes. If the design is unusual, the client receives a photo of the test piece before dispatch.
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7
Quality control and packing
Before packing, every box goes through a 6-point inspection: dimensional accuracy (callipers), lid/drawer fit (it must slide smoothly but without play), engraving quality (legibility, no smudges), completeness of fittings (hinge, magnet, pull ring), no scratches or dents, and the inspector's signature on the card. We pack in acid-free tissue paper + cardboard + bubble wrap — every item fits its shipping box with a safety margin (no movement in the parcel = no scuffs).
Dispatch by courier or parcel locker. Turnaround from the moment payment is received: typically 1-14 working days (depending on the configuration and workshop load), Express 24h for a £99 surcharge. Every parcel comes with a tracking number sent by e-mail.
Materials — what exactly do we use?
Oak (Quercus robur)
Hard, heavy and very durable, with a distinctive dark grain. We use it for premium products — boxes for collectors' photographs, wedding albums and anniversary gifts. Density: 0.68-0.79 g/cm³.
Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Light, easy to work, with a pale yellow-brown colour. Engraving comes out more distinct than on oak (higher contrast). Ideal for large engraved surfaces and boxes supplied to photographers.
Birch (Betula pendula)
Very light, almost white in cross-section, fine-grained. We use it for interior details: linings, dividers and drawer bottoms. Wherever the background should be neutral rather than dominant.
Fabrics: velvet, suede
For the linings of USB and print boxes. Velvet in 6 colours (navy, emerald, bottle green, grey, beige, burgundy), suede in 4 (black, navy, brown, grey). All fabrics come from European suppliers with OEKO-TEX certification.
Where it all happens
The workshop is located in Białków, Poland (Lubusz region, Lubsko municipality) — surrounded by the very forests our timber comes from. It began in 2017 in a 30-square-metre garage — today it is 250 m² of joinery, a drying kiln, a timber store, two CO2 lasers and a packing area. We do everything on site and outsource nothing. Address and contact »
See what we have already made
The best way to understand the process is to see the result. Take your pick: