| Laser engravers are used to created detailed designs | | | | material, or may be layered so that etching away the |
| in the surface of nearly any material. These images | | | | surface reveals colored layers below. |
| have extremely high resolution and can have very fine | | | | Many plastics such as vinyl or silicones simply don't |
| features. One of the fastest growing uses has been | | | | work with laser engraving and require other methods. |
| to create keepsakes by engraving photographs onto | | | | Metals |
| durable surfaces like stone tiles. | | | | Standard metals require specific, short-wavelength |
| For all of the versatility of the laser, different materials | | | | lasers and therefore don't work in most laser |
| react in different ways to the engraving process. | | | | engravers. However coated metals perform quite well |
| Wood and Paper | | | | since, rather than vaporizing the metal, the lasers |
| One of the first uses of laser engravers was to burn | | | | vaporize the coating to reveal the metal underneath. |
| designs into wooden surfaces. The wood burns easily | | | | Common examples include painted brass and |
| so can be engraved by low-wattage lasers. | | | | anodized aluminum. |
| Hardwoods such as oak or mahogany work best. | | | | Stone and Glass |
| Softer woods can produce inconsistent etching depths | | | | Stone and glass are difficult to engrave with lasers |
| and have been known to actually ignite during the | | | | and are often better served by other engraving |
| etching. Use of the lowest wattage lasers is | | | | techniques. However when used successfully, laser |
| recommended for these projects. | | | | engraving creates a distinctive pattern of tiny fractures |
| Fiberboard and hard paper work very well with laser | | | | that produces beautiful and durable pieces. Granite is a |
| engraving. Linty papers and newsprint tend to respond | | | | particularly successful medium since once it is |
| like soft woods. | | | | successfully engraved, its durability means it will last for |
| Plastics | | | | decades even if used for applications like floor tiles. |
| Acrylic is one of the most common plastics used with | | | | Glass is also commonly used with sub-surface laser |
| laser engravers. It holds the etch well and produces a | | | | engravers. These engrave the image under the |
| breathtaking finished piece. Other successful plastics | | | | surface of the glass, often in three dimensions, to |
| include Bakelite and similar hard plastics. | | | | create stunning keepsakes that other engraving |
| Softer plastics, such as styrene, tend to melt around | | | | methods can't equal. |
| the engraving producing a softer or even deformed | | | | Other Materials |
| look. This might be acceptable or even desired | | | | Laser engraving is often used successfully with leather, |
| depending on the purpose of the engraving. | | | | producing a burned look that resembles hot branding. |
| Special plastics have been developed specifically for | | | | Latex rubber is also an effective material and laser |
| laser engraving. These may include silicates to help | | | | engravers are often used to make rubber stamps. |
| keep the heat of the laser from melting excess | | | | |