Hawn-Smith Laser engraves quality on everything
—Photo by GWEN ALBERS<br>Harold Smith holds a T-shirt he and his wife, Susan, made for Ivano's Italian Restaurant in Sandpoint. The Smiths recently opened Hawn-Smith Laser printing, engraving and sand etching on Highway 2 West.By GWEN ALBERS<br>Staff writer
SANDPOINT — Susan and Harold Smith have opened Hawn-Smith Laser at 1601 Highway 2 West, Suite B.
The Smiths, who in 1988 moved to Sandpoint from Phoenix, do laser engravings on gifts, awards, signs and other projects.
The couple also does direct garment printing.
"It's a new technology," Susan Smith said. "It prints right into the fabric and becomes part of the fabric with no heavy sealing. It's just as good as screen printing and iron-on transfers."
The couple uses the technology to print pictures, logos, personal artwork and more.
The Smiths also do sand etching.
"It's sort of like sandblasting," Susan Smith said. "With the laser we can do stencils or make a copy of the etching. We use sandblasting to make a design deeper and more prominent. It works well on heavy pieces like marble and glass."
The Smiths at one time owned The Incredible Christmas Store in downtown Sandpoint at what's now Athlete's Choice. They owned a second store in Ponderay at the current location of Slate's Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar at 240 N. Triangle Drive. The couple had also owned Slate's, which they sold to Steve Coffman.
"We've been off for three years and this has interested us," Susan Smith said about getting back into business. "You always have to keep going and doing new and different things."
Hawn-Smith Laser shares sapce with TNT Communications at Ontario and Highway 2 West near the Federal Building. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. The business can be reached at 263-0518.