Traditional Gun Engraving and Hot Rod Lettering by Sean Starr
Sean Starr has spent over 35 years working on everything from Concours D’ Elegance winners and auto collections in the United States, to commissioned projects for companies like Indian Motorcycle and Ebay Motors to private gun collectors and car owners.
His work has been featured in the documentary film and book "Sign Painters" as well as on the Discovery Channel, NBC Television, Robb Report, Juxtapoz Magazine, Art Forum, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Magazine, Dallas Observer, Houston Press, Fort Worth Magazine, and Cavallino Magazine to name just a few.
Traditional Gun Engraving
Hot Rod Lettering
RAVE REVIEWS
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“WOW!! Is an understatement of this man’s talents. I recently had my gun engraved by Sean and it is amazing. I have already purchased another gun and I’m getting in line for another masterpiece.”
J. Luster
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“I searched for months to find someone to hand paint lettering/pinstriping on my 49 Chevy Gasser. The end result is an absolutely stunning, world-class job. Sean's work is extraordinarily designed and detailed. I can't thank him enough for his help in making the '49 Chevy Gasser a period-correct drag car that draws a lot of attention these days. Sean is a pleasure to deal with and I would highly recommend him for anyone wanting a truly one-off paint scheme on their car or motorcycle.”
K. Kuehl
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"Sean has done multiple projects for me over the past couple years. He is quite simply the very best at his craft. He will always be my first and only call."
J. Hall
New collection.
Hand Engraved Accessories
FAQs
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Pricing of my work is provided upon request and is based on the material being engraved, the style, amount of coverage, complexity of design etc. Once we have discussed your engraving project I will send you a written proposal outlining in detail the work to be performed and the cost.
I require a 50% deposit (non-refundable) and the balance is due upon completion. The deposit gets you in line on my wait list, and during this time I work on your design. I will provide a sketch before engraving begins. I will email you photos of your finished piece before you send the final payment.
Payments can be processed by credit card or bank transfer. Bank transfers are preferred and receive a discount for the saved processing fees.
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I typically have a waiting list anywhere from several months to a year. Your deposit gets you on the waitlist, and when your opening comes up you can then ship the gun to me for engraving. Completion times may vary depending on time of year and my work load. I will generally work in small jobs here and there. I don't like to work on specific deadlines due to my waiting list.
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I prefer to be contacted by email at starrkustoms@gmail.com Feel free to include any pictures for reference in your email.
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I am an FFL holder, so I can receive your gun via FedEx or UPS, please contact me for specific instructions and shipping address. Please ship your gun Insured and ask for a Return Receipt so I have to sign for it when delivered. Clients are responsible for all insurance and shipping costs.
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Every automotive project is different. I prefer to be contacted by email at starrkustoms@gmail.com with photos of your vehicle as well as anything you would like to reference from my portfolio as regards style etc. In most cases I require the project be done at my studio in Calvert, Texas. If that is not possible I may on occasion do the vehicle on-site. Pricing is dependent on the scope of the project and other factors like location of the vehicle.
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We provide wholesale orders of Sean's engraved work on genuine Higonokami knives, Zippo lighters and other handmade items from our studio to fine retailers across the United States.
If you are interested in ordering items please contact:
Jennifer Moore Starr
(940) 218-0093
starrkustoms@gmail.com
About Us
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History
My father started a company called Starr Kustom Paint in 1977 in San Antonio, Texas and I started working in his shop in middle school during summer vacation, so I have been doing this work full time for over 35 years now. In those years in my father’s shop it was all custom paint, lettering and pinstriping on cars, hot rods, trucks and airplanes. The majority of what I learned in his shop I still use to this day. We later worked out of the back of my father’s Chevy station wagon doing paint work all over the state of Texas until his death in 1994.
Starr Kustoms is my way to honor my father’s legacy and the work he taught me from an early age.
Sean Starr. Photo by Michael Satterfield -
INFLUENCE & INSPIRATION
For my automotive lettering and pinstriping work my father was my biggest influence, and I also reference my massive collection of vintage photos since I am a stickler for period correct work on classic cars.
As far as inspiration goes, I think Ed Roth and Robert Williams did more for guys like myself than anyone else in laying the foundation for us to have a career doing this kind of work.I began my journey into hand chiseled gun and knife engraving in the summer of 2021. Like much of my painted work, my style combines traditional design with antique finishes and patinas.
Sean Starr and Legendary Hot Rod Artist Robert Williams in 2023
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Bragging Rights
I restored the painted lettering on this 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza that won at Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance and also won the Cavallino Classic. The car set a bunch of records racing on the beach in Mexico by a driver named Alfonso de Portago in the 1950s and then disappeared until about a decade ago when it was discovered and restoration work started. For anyone who has spent their life working on classic cars, to be able to do what I do on a piece of history like that car and have it win at Pebble Beach is going to be hard to ever top.