Laser engravers are designed to work on a wide array of materials, from marble and brick to glass and metal. As recently as a few years ago, these machines were too expensive for anyone but large workshops and factories. However, advancements in engraving technology have led to the creation of cheaper models, allowing anyone to buy a laser engraver.
So you’ve decided to buy a laser engraver. Some are designed for marble and brick engraving while others are designed for soft surfaces. If you haven’t decided yet, here are some of the most common materials for engraving:
1. Wood
Historically, wood has been one of the most popular materials for engraving. They’re cheap and accessible, and almost any type of wood can be engraved. You can carve solid wood and composites such as plywood. Some typical applications include photos and illustrations, inlays, and memorabilia.
2. Glass
Glass is another popular material for laser engraving. With the right settings and a bit of creativity, you can create marvelous works of art. Glass objects such as wine bottles, mugs, vases, and glasses are just some of the things you can work on. Some distilleries and wineries engrave their logos on the bottle instead of using a paper label.
Not all types of glass work well with laser engraving, however. For instance, crystal has too much lead, which could lead to uneven engraving due to increased heat retention. Before working on glass, do some testing first. One common technique is to place a wet piece of paper on the glass before the engraving process. The damp paper will absorb some of the heat, reducing the stress on the glass.
3. Metal
Practically any type of metal can be engraved, whether it’s steel, iron, aluminum, gold, or copper. It’s one of the most common materials and is engraved for both decorative and industrial purposes. Factories and large workshops often engrave metal to produce parts for aerospace, automobile manufacture, and various components and appliances. This work falls under industrial use.
Some examples of decorative laser engraving include the creation of signs, art pieces, and various memorabilia. If you’re thinking of starting a small home business, you can create simple pieces such as picture frames, nameplates, flasks, lighters, cutlery, and jewelry.
4. Bricks
Hard materials such as brick and stone can also be engraved. Brick engraving is common in architecture and landscaping, such as outdoor installations, patios, and memorial sites. Engraved bricks are commonly used in donation drives for institutions such as hospitals and universities. The names of donors are engraved on bricks and placed along walkways or in parks and gardens.
5. Marble
Marble is another hard material that can be laser engraved with great success. If engraved, dark marble results in a light image, providing much-needed contrast. Like brick and stone, it’s often used in architecture and landscaping. If skilled carvers are in short supply, a laser engraver can be used to engrave names and logos on marble.
These are just some of the most common materials for laser engraving. You can also work with soft materials such as paper, fabric, and even fruit skin. Knowing what materials you want to work on can help you decide the type of laser engraver you’re going to use.
