What Is Laser Engraving & How Does It Work?

Discover the art and science behind laser engraving. From its precise benefits to the step-by-step process, this guide reveals how modern laser technology can beautifully etch your designs onto almost any material.

What Is Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving is a modern technique for creating intricate designs on a variety of materials using a laser beam to alter the surface. This method is incredibly popular for its precision, versatility, and speed. Though laser technology has been around since the 1960s, it’s only in recent years that laser engraving has become accessible for both commercial and personal use.

Laser marking, engraving, and cutting offers impressive benefits over conventional marking methods. Laser engraving machines produce a significant amount of energy in an extremely small area (as small as .003″). This focused energy leaves its mark by heating, melting, burning or vaporizing away the top layer of the object.

Benefits of Laser Engraving

Precision: Unlike traditional engraving methods, laser engraving offers unmatched detail and accuracy.

Versatility: From wood to glass, you can engrave a wide range of materials.

Speed: Laser engravers work quickly, making them ideal for both large and small projects.

Non-Contact Method: There’s no direct mechanical contact, reducing wear and tear on materials.

How Does Laser Engraving Work?

Design Creation: A digital design is created using specialized software.

Material Placement: The material is carefully positioned on the engraving platform.

Settings: The settings are adjusted based on the material and design.

Engraving: The laser engraver etches the design onto the material.

Quality Check: After engraving, the material undergoes a quality check for accuracy and depth.

Lazer Designs’ Superior Engraving Technology

At LazerDesigns.com we do MORE than just laser engrave your gifts and promotional items – we elegantly personalize each one to be perfect for your recipient!

We use state of the art, high speed laser machines – we use both co2 and an nd:YAG for best results on a variety of materials – for cutting and engraving. This is a no-contact method of engraving, which means we can etch onto surfaces that would otherwise be unengravable!

We also perform quality control on all items that go through our system – and we guarantee top quality on your laser-engraved gifts!

Laser Engraving FAQs

Can you laser engrave in color?

Yes, we can laser engrave color on some items.  Wood looks especially nice with color added – we can add color for some logos and text. Please call or e-mail to discuss with a friendly sales rep at 877-365-2737. We use several methods, including color fill paint, color foils and wood inlays.

Is laser engraving permanent?

Laser engraving is different than screen printing, or a method of decoration which wears off over time; laser engraving is uniquely permanent since it etches the surface of the item being engraved.
On anodized aluminum, laser engraving comes out frosty white. On wood, it will turn a rich dark color. On marble, it comes out frosty white. On stainless steel, the resulting engraving is black. Engraving onto plastic will result in the underlying coating color or a reaction with our nd:YAG laser for a tone-on-tone mark.

Is “laser” spelled with a Z or an S?

The correct way to spell laser is with an S, and it stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. We spell it with a Z in our name, so don’t forget, that’s lazer with a Z for LazerDesigns!