Just two months after opening its doors in October 2025, SB Laser Engraving is already making its mark on the local community with personalized, high-quality laser-engraved products. Owned and operated by James Murray, this new venture at 690 NY-211, Middletown, NY 10941, specializes in custom designs that turn everyday items into lasting memories.
Murray’s journey to entrepreneurship began with hardship.
“I used to do welding—excavator equipment,” Murray shared. “And I had an accident that required me to end up getting spine surgery, so I wasn’t able to go back to welding.”
Forced to rethink his future, Murray turned to something he had encountered years earlier while still working in welding: laser engraving technology.
“When I originally was getting into welding is when I found out about these machines,” he explained. “After my accident, I started looking at these again, and I figured I’d take a shot at it and see what I can make happen. Right? First business.”
A new path through creativity
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For Murray, laser engraving is more than a technical skill—it represents a creative outlet and a new beginning.
“What’s meaningful to me is the big range of things that I can do with it,” he said. “I’m not limited to just one material or one kind of design. I can take pretty much any picture or any wording and put it on wood, granite, metal—as long as it’s coated.”
What motivates him most, however, is the personal connection behind each piece.
“It’s nice making stuff for people—kind of creating a memory for them,” Murray said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to do that.”
SB Laser Engraving uses state-of-the-art AP Lazer technology, allowing engraving on materials that many other shops cannot handle. As Murray puts it, the possibilities are “almost limitless.”
Mirrors, memories, and a unique niche
While SB Laser Engraving offers a wide range of products, Murray has a personal favorite.
“Personally, I like doing the mirrors the best,” he said. “I have the most fun with those. I don’t really see a lot of people offering anything like that.”
One standout piece—a ship-themed engraved mirror displayed in the shop window—holds special meaning for him.
“I like the ocean a lot. I like being by the water,” Murray shared. “All my tattoos are water-based kind of things. That one was a fun one to do.”
Some mirror pieces even feature integrated lighting, adding depth and visual impact.
“There’s a lot of different things you can do with them,” he said. “I’m kind of hoping I find myself a niche with that, because I enjoy doing them.”
Popular products and custom work from SB Laser Engraving
Since opening, customer favorites have included tumblers, mugs, cutting boards, coasters, slate, wood products, hats, and Christmas ornaments.
“Tumbler mugs are popular,” Murray noted, adding that cutting boards are often a great first custom item. “Cutting boards are a big sell.”
Custom work, however, is where SB Laser Engraving truly shines.
“Not every picture makes a good engraving,” Murray explained. “Sometimes a picture looks good as a picture, but it’s not going to look good engraved.”
When customers bring in ideas, Murray works closely with them—adjusting images, simplifying designs, or suggesting alternatives—to ensure the final result meets his standards.
“That product goes out the door with my name on it,” he said. “I’m not going to sell somebody something that I wouldn’t buy myself.”
Quality, integrity, and community roots
SB Laser Engraving offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, a promise Murray takes personally.
“I would never give a customer something that I wouldn’t walk into a store and buy myself,” he said. “If something gets messed up in the process, I fix it.”
Every item is inspected and approved by the owner before leaving the shop.
As a locally owned business, Murray is beginning to build connections within the community. He has joined the local Chamber of Commerce and has already collaborated with neighboring businesses.
“It’s nice having a neighbor that’s willing to help me too,” he said. “I’d like to connect with other businesses I could do work for.”
Looking ahead, Murray hopes to host workshops, form partnerships, and expand his services. He has also added a new Xtool F2 Ultra machine that will allow SB Laser Engraving to engrave metal, further expanding the range of custom projects he can offer.
“Our new machine will allow us to engrave metal,” Murray said.
“Since I’ve opened, it’s gradually been getting more people,” he said. “I’m hoping it just continues to grow.”
More than a business
SB Laser Engraving also carries a deeply personal meaning. The name “SB” stands for Stella Blue, Murray’s beloved dog, whom he adopted when she was nine months old. Now six years old, Stella has been a constant source of inspiration.
“She means the world to me and has inspired me to go out and pursue my dreams and creative passions,” Murray said.
Visitors to the shop may even get to meet Stella, who Murray says “has a ton of energy and loves meeting new people.”
After just a short time in business, SB Laser Engraving has become more than a storefront—it is a story of resilience, creativity, and community, engraved one piece at a time.
SB Laser Engraving
James Murray – Owner / Operator
📍 690 NY-211, Middletown, NY 10941
📞 329-225-9884
📷 Instagram: SB_LASERENGRAVING_LLC
Providing the best laser engraving in New York—serving local businesses and individuals with custom, heartfelt, one-of-a-kind creations. This is a paid promotion.
