The iJay storefront in the Heider College of Business is shown as Creighton’s iJay, the first student-run Apple Authorized Campus Store, introduces laser engraving services after spring break.
Creighton University’s Apple store, the iJay, is adding laser engraving to its list of services.
After spring break, students will be able to engrave personal devices with a variety of designs for a small fee. The service will be powered by a Glowforge machine, allowing students to customize devices with Creighton-themed graphics and, potentially, original designs.
According to Junior Patrick Oldani, an iJay Practicum member, the available designs will include “Creighton insignias like the college crests … and [Billy the] Bluejay.” He added that there may be potential for custom designs in the future.
“Custom designs are hard,” Oldani said.
According to those familiar with the Glowforge, creating designs that look good without damaging devices can be challenging. While custom options may be offered down the road, they are still in development.
The project has been in the works for about a year. Two semesters ago, the iJay Practicum moved forward with purchasing the Glowforge. The practicum is an on-campus cohort of students who gain hands-on business experience by managing the iJay Store in the Heider College of Business.
The iJay is the first student-run Apple Authorized Campus Store in the world. Through the two-semester practicum, students take on roles across areas such as store financials, digital marketing and branding, applying classroom concepts in a real-world setting.
After research conducted by the finance and data analytics teams, the addition was determined to be a strong fit for campus. As the project nears full implementation, excitement is building among practicum members and store staff.
The current finance team has been working on pricing and expects the service to be affordable. Students will likely pay about $20 to engrave a device with a preset design.
Store employees have also been testing the Glowforge on various devices. Sophomore Owen Kolachov, a store employee and practicum member, said the team has been evaluating which devices work best with the machine. While smaller devices tend to produce better results, he noted there are plans to explore options for larger devices in the future.
Both students said the Glowforge could lead to additional customization services. The store is already exploring the possibility of adding a Cricut machine to create personalized stickers for devices.
As the launch approaches, interest in the new service continues to grow. If student demand is strong, the iJay could expand its customization offerings even further, making personalized devices a more common sight across campus.