ENGRAVING MATERIALS
Description: Laser engraving is often used to remove surface coatings, such as paint, anodization, or powder coating, from materials like metal or glass. The laser precisely removes the top layer, revealing the material underneath without damaging the base. This method is ideal for creating high-contrast designs, logos, or text on coated surfaces, especially for branding, industrial marking, and decorative purposes.
Limitations:
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Coating Thickness: Very thick coatings may require multiple passes or higher laser power, which could increase processing time or cause uneven results.
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Material Sensitivity: Delicate base materials (like thin metals or plastics) can be damaged if too much laser power is applied during coating removal, leading to warping or distortion.
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Contrast Issues: The contrast between the removed coating and the exposed base material may not always be ideal, especially if the underlying material is similar in color to the coating.
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Surface Quality: Removing coatings from textured or uneven surfaces can lead to inconsistent results, as the laser’s focus may not be uniform across the surface.
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Fume Production: Removing certain coatings, like paint or powder coatings, can produce harmful fumes, requiring proper ventilation and safety measures.
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Coating Composition: Some coatings are more difficult to remove (e.g., certain plastics or UV-cured coatings) and may not produce clean results without specialized laser settings or equipment.
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Description: Wood is one of the most commonly laser-engraved materials due to its natural appearance and versatility. Engraving produces a darkened, high-contrast mark, with fine detail possible on a variety of wood types (e.g., maple, oak, cherry, plywood).
Limitations: Some softer woods can char or burn more easily, requiring careful control of laser power and speed. Grain inconsistencies in natural wood can also affect engraving precision.
Description: Laser engraving on paper creates precise, intricate designs with minimal material removal. It’s ideal for customized stationery, invitations, or packaging.
Limitations: Paper is highly flammable, so low laser power settings must be used. Thin or delicate paper may tear easily if the laser is set too high.
Description: Laser engraving is effective on many types of plastics, especially acrylic and polycarbonate. It creates clean, precise marks that can be used for signage, promotional products, and more.
Limitations: Not all plastics are laser-safe. Some, like PVC, can release harmful fumes when engraved, so it’s important to work with laser-safe materials. Engraving depth may also be limited due to the melting point of plastics.
Description: Leather engraves beautifully, creating a dark, textured mark that’s perfect for custom wallets, belts, and accessories. Both natural and synthetic leathers can be engraved.
Limitations: Engraving on synthetic (PU) leather can release toxic fumes, so proper ventilation is necessary. Some leathers may scorch, and surface variations can impact engraving consistency.
Description: Laser engraving on glass creates frosted designs, logos, or text. It’s great for customized drinkware, awards, and décor items.
Limitations: Glass can chip or crack if too much power is used. It’s important to use a lower power setting, and sometimes masking the surface can help produce cleaner results. Thicker glass may require multiple passes.
Description: Stone engraving produces high-contrast, durable marks. Popular for memorial plaques, signage, or decorative pieces, materials like marble, granite, and slate engrave beautifully.
Limitations: Stone is hard, so engraving is typically shallow. The process can be slower due to the material's density, and only specific stones (like polished surfaces) achieve the best contrast.
Description: Metal laser engraving produces precise, permanent marks that are ideal for industrial, branding, and decorative applications. Stainless steel, aluminum, and brass are common choices. We have both CO2 & Fiber laser sources to mark metals. Marking is different than engraving, please visit our Laser Marking service page.
Limitations: Some metals require pre-treatment or special coatings (e.g., anodized aluminum) for laser engraving to produce visible marks. Without this, engraving on certain bare metals may not create enough contrast.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
TUMBLERS & FLASKS
Custom laser engraving on tumblers allows for durable, high-contrast designs that won’t fade or wear off. Perfect for personalized gifts or promotional items, laser engraving adds logos, names, or artwork with precision on stainless steel or powder-coated surfaces. Base Engraving Price: $12 - $35 each Variables: Size, side qty, engraving area, customization i.e. name change, design complexity (e.g., text only vs. custom logos/artwork).
GUITARS
Laser engraving on guitars creates unique, intricate designs that personalize the instrument, whether for branding, giveaways, or art. From artist logos to album art, each guitar becomes a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, etched with high precision. Base Price: $250 - $500+ per guitar Variables: Design complexity (basic logo vs. intricate, full-body designs), type of guitar, amount of engraving. Custom Projects: Include consultation fees if clients request complex or detailed custom artwork.
BUSINESS CARDS
Stand out with laser-engraved business cards made from wood, metal, or acrylic. Laser engraving creates a tactile and visually striking impression, offering a modern and sophisticated look that leaves a lasting impact. Base Price: $2 - $5 per card. Min order of 20 units. Variables: Material (wood, metal, acrylic), design complexity, quantity ordered.
CUTTING BOARDS
Laser engraving on cutting boards adds a personal touch for custom gifts or promotional items. Perfect for adding logos, names, or decorative designs, it’s a popular option for weddings, corporate gifts, and home décor. Base Price: $50 - $300 each Variables: Size, wood type, engraving area (e.g., small logo vs. large, detailed artwork), custom requests. Inquire about mass production.
SIGNAGE
Laser-engraved signage delivers precise, professional results on a variety of materials such as wood, acrylic, and metal. From company logos to directional signs, laser engraving ensures durability and legibility, even for intricate details. Base Price: $50 - $2000+ per sign Variables: Material (wood, metal, acrylic), size, level of detail in engraving, complexity of the logo/text.
GLASSWARE
Laser engraving on glassware creates elegant, frosted designs that are perfect for custom drinkware, awards, or gifts. Whether for weddings, promotions, or personal collections, glass engraving offers a permanent, polished finish. Base Price: $12 - $50 per piece Variables: Size of the glassware (e.g., wine glasses, beer mugs, bottle), design complexity, quantity ordered.
PROMOTIONAL
From pens and keychains to tech accessories, laser engraving on promotional items ensures your brand stands out. The process allows for crisp, durable branding on a variety of materials, providing a premium touch for marketing campaigns. Base Price: $5 - $50 per item. Minimum order of 20 units. Variables: Type of item (pens, keychains, tech accessories), material, quantity, design complexity.
PLAQUES & TROPHIES
Laser-engraved plaques offer detailed, high-contrast text and images, making them ideal for awards, recognition, and memorials. Materials like wood, glass, and metal are commonly used to create professional and lasting tributes. Base Price: $50 - $150 per plaque Variables: Material (wood, acrylic, metal), size, quantity, and detail of engraving.
FIREARMS
Laser engraving on firearms allows for detailed customization, such as serial numbers, personal logos, or decorative designs. The process is precise and durable, ensuring long-lasting results on wood and plastic surfaces without compromising functionality. We can also remove coatings to apply an engraving to metal parts of the firearm. Additionally laser marking is a great option for metal components of the firearm. Surface area engraved, design complexity, materials (different metals, woods, plastics), level of customization (e.g., intricate decorative designs vs. simple logos, names, or numbers).
TOOLS
Laser engraving on tools offers permanent, clear markings for identification, branding, or personalization. It’s commonly used for company logos, serial numbers, or custom names, ensuring a durable solution for professional and personal tools. We commonly see power tools and batteries being engraved with name and number for identification. Base Price: $12 - $200 per tool Variables: Tool type, quantity, material, design (e.g., simple names vs. detailed logos)
LASER ENGRAVING
Our laser engraving services use advanced laser technology to etch detailed designs, logos, text, and patterns onto various materials with precision and accuracy. This process involves the use of a high-powered laser beam that removes the surface material of the object to create permanent, deep engravings.
Laser engraving uses a focused laser beam to vaporize the material’s surface, creating permanent marks that are resistant to wear. The laser is controlled by computer software that directs its path with pinpoint accuracy, making it ideal for intricate and detailed designs. The depth of the engraving can be adjusted depending on the material and desired finish, ranging from shallow surface etchings to deeper, more pronounced engravings.
Laser engraving is perfect for personalized gifts, promotional items, industrial marking, and artistic projects. Whether it's for custom engraved tumblers, awards, plaques, or even unique items like firearms, musical instruments and custom guitars, the precision and versatility of laser engraving deliver high-quality results every time.