So after the testing today we have come up with this. However we are not totally happy with it.
The main problem is getting the settings absolutely right for it to etch the right density of dots. Also having the image prepared in the right manner greatly depends on how it will finally look. We require high contrast in the image and we feel it is problematic, especially when we start getting images from the public. We thought we didn't have to edit the files, but it turns out we have to.
This weekend's testing was rather expensive and we are not sure where to go from here. The image shown doesn't give it justice due to the phone camera, however the etch isn't as clear as we want it to be.
This image is 250 x 150mm and took about 13mins to etch. Coupled with the edit time, it would mean one photo would be roughly $100 (cost to the customer).
We may instead make glass that has different designs like branches, leaves, etc and you would have to get the photo printed at a print shop. This would be a cheaper and less unpredictable solution.
Thoughts?