How-to
How to Order a Custom Herb Grinder (and Actually Know What You're Getting)
You want a custom grinder with your logo on it. But between file formats, engraving types, colour choices and tiered pricing, the process can feel like guesswork. Here's exactly how it works at GMI — from logo upload to doorstep — so you know what's happening at each step, what it costs, and how long it takes.
August 2026
The real reason custom grinders feel confusing
Most suppliers give you a price list and a mockup tool and leave you to figure out the rest. That leaves you guessing: Which engraving type will actually show my logo clearly? What file do I send? How many should I order to make the per-unit price worth it? And what happens after I pay? This guide walks through the whole process as it actually happens at GMI — no assumed knowledge, no surprises.
Step 1: Pick your grinder type (2-part or 4-part)
A 2-part grinder is the classic: lid and chamber with teeth. Simple, reliable, pocket-friendly. A 4-part adds a fine-mesh screen and a kief-catcher chamber at the bottom. If you or your customers press rosin, sprinkle kief back into bowls, or just appreciate the extra functionality, go 4-part. If it's a straightforward smoke-and-go grinder, the 2-part does the job. Both are CNC-machined from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium with rare-earth magnetic lids, diamond-cut teeth and anodised finishes. The only difference is the extra screen chamber.
Step 2: Choose your colour
Eight anodised colours: black, silver, gold, rose gold, blue, green, purple, red. The colour goes through the anodising process — it's not paint — so it won't flake or chip. The finish is part of the metal. Pick one that matches your brand, or mix colours across a run. Each colour costs the same.
Step 3: Pick your branding technique
Five ways to put your logo on the grinder, and they look completely different from each other: 3D deep engraving (the logo is cut into the metal and left raised — embossed — then finished in gold, silver, black or rose gold; the most premium option and the one that lasts forever), UV printing (full-colour, detailed artwork printed directly on the lid — good for complex logos with gradients), laser etching (a clean, subtle mark, no colour fill — good for minimalist branding), polycarbonate stickers (a printed sticker applied to the lid — budget-friendly, best for promotional runs), and custom paint fill (the engraved logo filled with coloured paint — a mid-range option). The right choice depends on your logo complexity, your budget, and how long you need it to last. A detailed illustration with gradients? UV print. A bold, simple logo you want to feel under your thumb? 3D engraving.
Step 4: Prepare your logo file
Send whatever you have. Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, PDF) are ideal because they scale to any size without losing detail. But a high-resolution PNG or JPG works fine too — our team will clean it up and convert if needed. If your logo has tiny text, thin lines or a lot of detail, we'll flag it before anything goes to production. For 3D engraving especially, fine details below about 1mm won't survive the cut, so we'll simplify just enough to keep it crisp. No extra charge for cleanup.
- Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS) = ideal
- High-res PNG/JPG = fine, we'll clean it up
- No logo? We can help you design one
- Free cleanup and file prep on every order
Step 5: Get your free proof (before anything is machined)
After we have your logo and your choices (grinder type, colour, technique), we send back a digital proof — a visual of exactly what your grinder will look like, with your logo positioned on the lid. This is your chance to adjust placement, size, colour, whatever. Nothing gets machined until you approve the proof. Turnaround on proofs is about one business day. No minimum order means even a single grinder gets the same care as a thousand-unit run.
Step 6: Understand the pricing (and why bulk actually saves you real money)
Custom grinders get cheaper per unit as you scale. The published tiers for a 2-part: one unit at $50, 2–4 at $39 each, 5–24 at $25 each, 25–49 at $12.75, 50–99 at $11, 100–249 at $10.25, 250–499 at $8.50, 500–999 at $7.75, 1,000+ at $6.75. A 4-part runs $75 at one unit down to $9.50 at 1,000+. Every order includes a free custom scraper and free digital proof. At 100+ units you also get free custom packaging. The maths is straightforward: a 100-unit run costs about $1,025 total (around $10.25 per grinder) — and at a typical retail of $25–$35 each, the margin speaks for itself.
Step 7: Production and delivery
Once you approve the proof, production starts. Standard lead time is 3–4 weeks from proof approval — CNC machining, anodising, engraving or printing, quality check, pack. Rush orders are possible on request; ask when you get your quote. Shipping is tracked and insured. If anything arrives damaged or not matching the proof, we replace it.
The whole process, in order
Pick grinder type → choose colour → pick branding technique → send your logo → receive a free digital proof → approve it → production runs → grinders ship to your door. That's it. No hidden steps, no minimum order, no guesswork after the proof lands in your inbox.
- No minimum order — start with one grinder or a thousand
- Free digital proof in about one business day
- Free logo cleanup and file prep
- Free custom scraper with every order
- Free custom boxes at 100+ units
- 3–4 week standard production from proof approval
- Tracked and insured shipping
Start now
Upload your logo at gmigrinders.com/customize and see your grinder with your branding in about 3 minutes. No login, no commitment — just an instant mockup and a price based on your quantity. If it looks right, request a formal proof and we'll take it from there. If you're unsure about which technique or colour works for your logo, tell us what you're working with and we'll recommend the right option.
