The Creative Process Knobs | Pulls
Every Handcrafted 360 knob and pull begins life as an unfinished birch wood knob base.
Then begins the order fill process.
It starts with a LOT of computer time actually. Orders are organized, details reviewed and requests are noted. Confirmations are made and our “Design Pull List” complied. Designs are pulled from our existing design library. Custom graphic orders are sent over to our graphics team to be designed and incorporated into the order fill print que. The print is run, designs cataloged and sorted for the current pull. Knob bases are counted, sorted, and pegged.
Each week, our creative team spends an entire day painting the knobs bases to fill our bins in preparation for the next step in the process. By the end of the day, we and the studio are covered in a beautiful array of colors. But, honestly it is a great time!
Now we can move onto what we love….making knobs!
Each circular graphic is cut by hand and organized into base color groups.
The graphic is applied to the painted knob base using a three layer process to adhere the graphic and double seal the entire surface.
Once the seal coat has dried each knob is trim-painted by hand for a seamless face design.
The decorated knobs must now dry for 24 hours and then begins the lacquer coating process.
The first layer of high gloss lacquer is applied to seal all of the components. Each coat of lacquer must cure for 24 hours before applying the next.
The second and third layers of high gloss lacquer are applied more generously than the first. This will become the high gloss finish that will protect the knob for years of use and abuse without worry.
The final finish coat of lacquer is cured for 48 hours and then the finished knobs move onto our packing team. Orders are sorted, bagged, packaged and numbered and shipped.
So...now your order is on the way!
Phew! Are you tired? I am. That was a lot of work. But because our process has evolved from passion, it really doesn’t feel like work at all (ok, except for the computer time lol). We love what we do. Every step in the process has been carefully thought out to enable us to work with absolute efficiency so that we can complete and fill your order as quickly as possible without ever compromising the quality of the art.
Our knobs & pulls were an art first; the business came later. Our passion is the art, our commitment is the business. We believe neither should compromise the other.