How Personalized Metal Gifts Are Made: Street Soul Order to Doorstep

"What happens after I place a custom order?" is the question we get most on WhatsApp, usually from someone buying a gift for a person who is not easy to buy for. So here is the whole journey, in plain words: you choose a piece, type your wording, we confirm it with you on WhatsApp, we hand-stamp or laser-engrave it in our Mumbai workshop, and we ship it free across India with tracking. Most custom orders leave us within 2-3 business days. Below is each step, what you need to decide, and what we do if something goes wrong.

Need the short version?

• Step 1 → pick a piece and type your wording on the product page
• Step 2 → you get an order confirmation on WhatsApp
• Step 3 → we check your wording and, for laser-engraved pieces, share a draft on WhatsApp
• Step 4 → we make it by hand or by laser, usually in 2-3 business days
• Step 5 → free shipping in India, tracking sent on WhatsApp and email
• If we get your wording wrong → we replace it free, including shipping

Want the detail? Keep reading.

Step 1: Choose your piece and type your wording

Start with what you are making: a personalised kada, a keychain, a dog tag, a wallet card or a necklace. On the product page you will see boxes for your text, and sometimes choices such as size, metal or which side to engrave. Type exactly what you want, including capital letters, dates and any phone number.

Two small habits save most of the problems we see. First, read your text out loud once, slowly, and check every digit of a phone number or date. Second, keep it short. Metal is small, and short lines look better and stay readable for years. If you are stuck for words, our 50+ engraving message ideas will get you started.

Step 2: Choose hand-stamped or laser-engraved (this changes the look)

Hand-stamped and laser-engraved are two separate product lines, not two options on the same item. Hand-stamping presses each letter into the metal one at a time, so the letters have a slightly uneven, handmade character. Laser engraving burns a sharp, even design, and can do logos, small symbols and photos that stamping cannot. If you are unsure, our guide to hand-stamped vs laser-engraved explains the difference with examples, and our metal comparison helps you choose between brass, copper and steel.

Step 3: Order confirmation and proof on WhatsApp

Once you pay (cash on delivery is available on many items), you get an order confirmation on WhatsApp. For laser-engraved pieces, we then send you a draft of the artwork on WhatsApp so you can see the layout before anything is engraved. This is the step that protects you from typos and awkward line breaks, and it is the one we would most like you to reply to.

Honest note: many people are busy and do not check messages. If we do not hear back, we go ahead with the layout from your order so your gift is not held up. So if you want to change something, reply as soon as you see the draft. For hand-stamped pieces, if anything in your wording is unclear (a missing digit in a phone number, say), we will message you on WhatsApp before we start.

You can also message us before ordering at +91 99301 20424, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Send the wording you are considering and we will tell you honestly whether it fits.

Step 4: Making it in our Mumbai workshop

Your piece is made to order in our workshop in Jogeshwari, Mumbai. Hand-stamped pieces are made by our artisan at the bench: the blank is cleaned, the letters are set one by one, each strike is checked, and the piece is finished and polished. Laser-engraved pieces are prepared from your confirmed layout, engraved, cleaned and checked against your order.

Most custom orders are made and shipped within 2-3 business days, and some more detailed custom pieces take 3-4. Ready-to-ship items from our ready-to-ship collections (for example kadas and necklaces) skip the making step and go out faster. The delivery estimate on each product page uses your pincode.

Step 5: Shipping, tracking and delivery

Standard shipping within India is free and usually takes 3-5 days after dispatch, depending on where you are. You get updates on WhatsApp as your order is confirmed, shipped, out for delivery and delivered, plus a tracking link by WhatsApp and email. These updates come from a separate updates-only number, so for any conversation use +91 99301 20424. In Indian metros, expedited shipping is available for an extra 300 INR; message us right after you order. We also ship internationally; delivery is usually 7-15 business days.

What if something is wrong with my order?

Because custom pieces are made just for you, they cannot be returned for a change of mind. But if we make a mistake, such as engraving something different from what you confirmed, or sending the wrong product, we replace it free of charge, including shipping. If an item arrives damaged or defective, contact us within 48 hours with photos and we will sort it out. Details are on our refund policy page.

The best protection is the proof step above. A thirty-second reply to the draft usually prevents every problem we have seen.

Ordering a gift for someone else? A few tips

• Check the recipient's wrist or size on the product page before choosing a kada or ring size.
• Prefer a date or short phrase to a long sentence; it ages better and reads faster.
• If the gift is a surprise, order at least a week before the occasion to leave room for making and shipping.
• Not sure which piece suits them? Browse gifts for him, gifts for her or gifts for couples.

Found your piece? Here is where to go

• Something to wear on the wrist → Personalised Kadas
• Something for keys or a bag → Personalised Keyrings
• For a pet or an army-style tag → Personalised Dog Tags
• Something that lives in a wallet → Personalised Wallet Inserts
• Not sure → send your idea on WhatsApp and we will tell you what fits

If you are curious how copper and brass age after the gift is opened, our copper care guide covers it.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a custom order take?
Most are made and shipped in 2-3 business days, some more detailed pieces in 3-4, plus 3-5 days for delivery in India. The product page shows an estimate for your pincode.

Will I see a proof before you engrave?
For laser-engraved pieces, yes, we share a draft on WhatsApp. If we do not hear back, we proceed with the layout from your order so the gift is not delayed.

Can I change my engraving after ordering?
Message us on WhatsApp as soon as possible. If your piece has not gone into production we can usually update it; once it has been made, we cannot.

Can I return a personalized item?
Custom items cannot be returned for a change of mind. If we make an error in customization or send the wrong product, we replace it free, including shipping.

Is cash on delivery available?
On many products, yes. Look for the COD badge on the product page.

Do you ship outside India?
Yes. International delivery is usually 7-15 business days; charges depend on the country.

How do I contact you?
WhatsApp +91 99301 20424 (Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM) or support@streetsoul.in.

What if my wording is too long for the piece?
Tell us on WhatsApp. We will suggest how to shorten it or move to a bigger piece rather than shrink the letters until they are hard to read.