The Art of Laser Engraving

The Be Seen Merch CO2 laser engraver is a modern and highly versatile piece of equipment used to etch or carve designs, text, and patterns onto a wide variety of materials. We engrave various types of wood as well as glass, acrylic corflute. Laser engraving provides precision and customisation, making it an ideal choice for everything from personalised gifts to industrial applications.

What is Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving is a process that uses a concentrated beam of light (a laser) to remove material from the surface of an object to create a design or text. The laser works by vaporising the material, creating a cavity that forms the desired pattern. You’ve heard about the speed of light, which is pretty incredible.  

Well, we’re here to tell you about the power of light too!  

Unlike traditional engraving methods, which use physical tools (incredible craftsmanship but also prone to human error!) laser engraving is non-contact and does not require any inks or additional materials. It’s all about the light.

Laser engraving can produce highly detailed and intricate designs with precision and accuracy, making it a preferred method for both artistic and industrial purposes. The depth and appearance of the engraving can be adjusted by controlling the laser’s power, speed, and focus, allowing for a wide range of effects.

At Be Seen Merch, we can engrave up to 1000mm/s on an engraving bed size of 1300x900mm and a power range of 100-280W.

How Does Laser Engraving Work?

The laser engraving process involves several key steps:

1. You’ve got a vision and you Select your Materials: Usually you’ll have a good idea of the type of materials you need to create your masterpiece before your finalise your design file. That’s because your design file may need to be tweaked and refined depending on the materials you’re cutting or engraving for different aspects of your design.   Different materials react differently to laser engraving, so it is important to select the right material for the desired outcome. Common materials include wood, plastic, glass, leather, and more.
2. Design File: Finalise your quality design file. Your file, which can include text, images, or complex patterns, is created using graphic design software and ends up in an SVG file format.
3. Laser Engraving Setup: The design file is uploaded to the laser engraving machine, and the material is securely placed on the engraver’s bed. The laser’s parameters, such as height from material, power, speed, and frequency, are adjusted based on the material type and the desired effect. You want to ensure the engraver is engraving before cutting. If it’s set to cut first, the materials might move and your engraving won’t be dead centre, mucking up the design you worked so hard to perfect!
4. Engraving Process: The laser beam is then directed at the material, following the design pattern. The high-energy laser vaporizes or melts the surface material, creating the engraving. The machine’s precision allows for high levels of detail and consistency. It’s important that the laser engraver is supervised by someone nearby and you check in on your project intermittently to ensure everything’s on track. Keep your air pressure at the right levels and ensure your filter is on.
5. Finishing: Once the engraving is complete, the material may require cleaning to remove any residue or soot. Depending on the material, additional finishing processes such as polishing or oiling may be applied to enhance the appearance or durability of the engraving.

How do you assess the quality of your laser engraving product? Well, that’s a story for another post.