UAE & GCC
Custom Mosaic Lead Time: From Design Approval to Installation
What a Custom Mosaic Lead Time Actually Covers
Custom Mosaic Lead Time refers to the total time for the various procedures a bespoke custom mosaic project undergoes. When broken down into larger chunks, the three main procedures are as follows
- Design Approval
- Fabrication
- Installation
The process begins when a customer or procuring agent contacts MEC Artworks. The client’s vision for their mosaic may be discussed or ideas requested after the client names a broader category like ‘nature-inspired mosaic art‘, ‘abstract mosaic art’, ‘geometric mosaics‘, and so on.
Fabrication follows when the design pattern has been created and approved by the client. Installation is considered the last major step of your mosaic’s journey. It is followed by care procedures, including finishing, waxing and sealing.
Design Approval, Fabrication and Installation Explained
So, what is actually happening in the processes given above? Let’s have a look.
Design Approval
Design approval covers the operations from the time the client contacts us to the approval of the final design by them. A client may contact us directly, or a sourcing agent may do so on behalf of the client. The design pattern is discussed. Mostly, clients approach us with a mosaic vision of their own. Conversely, our design team has created many a fabulous design for clients who want to trust us with designing their artwork.
2D and 3D digital renders of the design are sent to the client for approval. Once approved, fabrication is started. Our mosaic consultant remains in touch with the client throughout the design process.
Fabrication
Fabrication takes place using pre-approved materials in the approved shades. Each tessera is rechecked before it is made part of your mosaic artistry. Our Italian-trained artisans are provided a reasonable mosaic fabrication timeline to complete the artwork.
If requested by the client, a sample of the fabricated mosaic is sent to get an idea of the colours and feel of the completed artwork.
Installation
On completion, the mosaic is packed and prepared for delivery. MEC Artworks has a record of being well within the estimated bespoke mosaic turnaround. Once at destination, the artwork is installed. We provide premium installation services in Dubai and the UAE.
Why Confirming Lead Time Early Protects Your Installation Date
What does confirming lead time early mean?
It means a client asks early in the process when their artwork will be ready.
How does that help protect the installation date?
When a client confirms the lead time at the beginning of the project, they expect their artwork to be ready at a certain time. Our international clients often request an early lead time.
The mosaic provider now needs to work around that custom mosaic lead time and ensure all goes as planned. In this way, the mosaic installation timeline, mosaic fabrication timeline and delivery timeline are kept in check. The artwork is delivered on time as expected.
Any work required on the installation site can be completed well in time, such as waterproofing, levelling and curing the intended mosaic surfaces. The mosaic may then be installed on the dates you planned. By getting an expected lead time at the start of your mosaic project, you ensure the correct installation dates in the near future.
What Shapes a Mosaic's Fabrication Timeline
The Design and Approval Phase
The design phase is the beginning of the project in which the artwork’s design concept is explored and created. Digital mapping and pixel technology have made this procedure much easier and more creative.
The use of Artificial Intelligence in mosaic creation is another technological development in this discipline. Various AI Mosaic Generator applications have made mosaic visualisation possible with just a few clicks.
The created designs are then sent for approval. Any changes requested are added.
The Fabrication and Installation Phase
With the materials and colours decided, fabrication starts. The design is handed over to MEC Artwork’s Italian-trained team of artisans.
Each tessera is individually cut, shaped and curated by the hands of our craftsmen. Any awkwardly shaped area, like rounded edges or jutting corners, may be adorned with mosaics, as tesserae can be coaxed into just about any shape desired.
The mosaic is directly crafted on sections of mesh sheet, which are laid on prepared surfaces during installation.
How Lead Time Differs by Installation Type
The custom mosaic lead time varies by installation type.
Each project type is different. Mosaic size is definitely an important consideration, but other factors also affect lead time.
Consider a pool mosaic—a speciality of ours. Pool mosaics are generally large-scale projects when full basin coverage is desired. Apart from this, proper waterproofing, curing and levelling of pool surfaces are required before they can receive the mosaic. The entire basin needs to be completely dry before special adhesives are applied.
Tile cohesion and setting are imperative at this stage, as these tiles are to be in a wet environment. Before installation, the tiles need strict quality checks, as they are to be continuously exposed to pool chemicals and UV radiation. These measures increase the pool mosaic installation timeline.
Floor mosaics may need extra planning, alignment and care during fabrication and installation to endure weight and foot traffic. This may increase their custom mosaic lead time from design to installation.
Public sector mosaic projects may have longer lead times due to the mosaic size and coordination requirements between the various parties involved.
Wall mosaics are more straightforward, but intricacies may arise with edges, curves and other nooks and crannies.
Request a Lead Time Estimate for Your Project
Custom mosaic lead time varies slightly in similar projects for the same area too.
Contact us to find out the lead time for your individual project.
Tile material, design intricacy and the condition of the surface receiving the mosaic may affect custom mosaic production time and mosaic installation timeline, respectively. The difference might be just a day or two, but it stands.
Want to know how long your project will take?
What Can Extend a Custom Mosaic Lead Time
There are factors other than the obvious reasons that can extend custom mosaic lead time, such as project complexity, the size of the artwork and the condition of the space for the mosaic.
If alterations in the design pattern are made after it has been approved, it can cause a delay in the custom mosaic production time. after design approval, pre-procured materials are laid out to start fabrication. Design changes may lead to material or tile colour changes. This requires time to arrange, which affects the custom mosaic lead time.
In large installations, especially public projects, several parties may be involved, such as architects, designers, contractors and sourcing agents. Approval of various stages by so many people delays lead time too.
Official reasons like customs clearances, preparation of export documents and international freight payments are also a cause for delay in lead time for luxury international projects. MEC Artworks does hold the certifications required for export to the UAE like the ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certification badges attributed to SGS, which is a globally recognised testing, inspection and certification organisation. Getting things in order for each project delivery is still a time-consuming procedure.
How MEC Artworks Protects Your Deadline
MEC Artworks takes a proactive approach to protecting the custom mosaic lead time for your project. We believe in taking precautions and working out details beforehand to eliminate any chance of delay.
We provide our clientele in the UAE with realistic bespoke mosaic turnaround and installation services with on-site supervision to avoid delays in project completion.
Fabrication at our studio starts only after all design-related changes have been made. This helps avoid unnecessary delays and material wastage, which is caused when design alterations are made after fabrication starts.
For projects intended for under-construction structures, we coordinate fabrication with their building schedule. They move together so that the mosaic artwork is ready to be installed approximately when its designated space is ready.
We keep all other involved parties in the loop so that designers, architects, sourcing agents, etc., have provided access, aligned coordination and the intended space is ready for installation.
Packaging of the mosaic is designed for easy and quick installation. Sections are prepared on mesh sheets, which are installed directly. Sections are numbered, and installation maps are provided for a smooth, hassle-free process.
In this way, MEC Artworks protects your project deadline by ensuring no glitches in the timeline.