How Custom Wooden Drawer Inserts are Made
Drawer Insert Designer’s Expert Canadian Craftsmanship
Drawer Insert Designer was founded by Varcroft & Bianco, a small family-owned business whose philosophy has always been to “build things we are proud of.” With over 20 years of experience designing and building kitchen cabinets, we knew that custom inserts for drawers were a popular feature with our clients, but designing and making them was a labour-intensive process and they often turned out to be a financial loss. We also knew from our friends in the industry that this is a common problem for cabinet makers. So we decided to do something about it, and we came up with a great solution.
After investing in some new technology, we designed our own software to design and make custom drawer inserts much more quickly and efficiently than ever before. We also realized that we could extend this ability to other companies to help them boost their revenues and add value to their business with a minimum of effort on their part. We’re now proud to share Drawer Insert Designer with you, to take the time and hassle out of making custom drawer inserts, and to provide a personalized touch for your clients.
Using our proprietary software is easy and convenient. You can design inserts for your clients using one of our templates or start your own completely from scratch. Drawer Insert Designer is so simple to use that you can even let your clients design their inserts themselves, taking a task off of your list and letting you focus on other aspects of their project. Your customers will enjoy designing custom drawer inserts that match their needs exactly, and they’ll be excited to visualize their perfectly organized drawers. They’ll be as excited about their new drawer organizers as they are about choosing lighting, countertops or paint colours.
Once your order has been submitted, we’ll send you an Order Review. This is an image of each of your insert designs showing the layout and measurements for each section. This gives you and your clients an opportunity to confirm the quantity of inserts you want to order and that all of the details are correct. If you want to make any changes, we’ll be happy to adjust the designs as needed. Don’t worry, we won’t proceed to manufacturing until you’ve given us your final seal of approval.
The process for making our custom drawer inserts starts with preparing materials. As your order comes in, we calculate the number of blanks that need to be cut, and process the solid lumber in your choice of walnut, maple, cedar or oak.
The next step is to prepare the design file for our laser cutter, a CanCam-Beam Laser. We make sure the file is ready to cut all of the necessary pieces and that your brand’s logo is applied on the inside of each insert, wherever you would like it positioned. The blanks we prepared earlier are then precisely cut to size with the CanCam machine for maximum efficiency and minimal waste.
One of our experienced craftsmen sands each individual piece and assembles the frame of the drawer insert by hand, following the drawings for your unique design. Nail holes are filled and the entire frame is carefully sanded after assembly to create a smooth, pristine surface.
Next, we apply two layers of clear water-based finish to the insert, scuff sanding in between layers. This finish protects the wood surface and makes it durable and easy to clean. Any spills can be quickly wiped up with a damp cloth and, if necessary, some mild soap. The finish is sprayed on to achieve a perfectly even coating.
The penultimate step is to attach the bottom of the insert. This is made of 1/4" MDF with wood veneer laminate to match the species of wood selected, and we cut it to size on our CNC machine. If you like, we can wrap the bottom of your inserts in your choice of emerald green, red, royal blue, or black felt (a great option for a custom jewelry or watch drawer organizer). We can also make bottomless drawer inserts, if you prefer.
Finally, the inserts are carefully packaged with plenty of protective biodegradable packing peanuts and cardboard brackets to keep them stable and secure during transport. You and your clients will receive the inserts within 2 weeks of ordering.
Drawer Insert Designer is manufactured in a small Canadian woodworking shop that’s been in business for over 20 years. We’re proud of our reputation for quality craftsmanship that’s both beautiful and functional. By creating custom wooden drawer inserts for your customers using Drawer Insert Designer, you can provide sturdy, practical and durable drawer organizers to elevate your projects. Our proprietary software can be white labeled for your brand, embedded on your own website, and the finished products can be branded with your logo. Our custom wooden drawer inserts are ready within 2 weeks of ordering. Made with care and attention to detail, our materials and finishes will match the high quality your customers expect from you, and you can feel good about supporting a small family-owned Canadian business.