Cork can be laser engraved effectively. Cork is a lightweight, soft material that engraves well with a laser, especially when using a CO2 laser engraver. The process creates a clean, dark contrast, which is ideal for detailed designs, logos, or text. Since cork is both soft and porous, it requires lower power settings to avoid burning or charring, making it an excellent choice for personalized coasters, wine stoppers, bulletin boards, and more.
Cork comes from a specialized cork oak tree and features a honeycomb-like structure filled with resins and tannins. This unique structure gives cork its elasticity, sealing ability, thermal and sound insulation, electrical insulation, and resistance to friction, which makes it stand out among wood materials.
Before cork is ready for laser engraving or cutting, it usually undergoes a specific preparation process: over six months of exposure to wind, rain, and air, followed by three weeks of indoor storage and a boiling water treatment at 100°C. Once this process is complete, the cork is suitable for further processing into various laser-engraved or laser-cut cork products using a CO2 laser engraver.
Usually, cork boards available on the market for laser engraving or cutting are typically pre-treated and ready for use.
How to create perfect laser engraved cork products? How to maximize your laser engraving and cutting capabilities on cork boards? Without a doubt, you’ll need a high-performance laser engraver!
A CO2 laser engraver is the ideal choice for working with cork. Unlike cheaper diode lasers, a CO2 laser can achieve higher power levels, delivering more precise results in a shorter amount of time. It’s simply the best option for laser engraving and cutting cork.
We highly recommend the Thunder Bolt Laser Engraver 30W, which can revolutionize your laser processing experience. With speeds up to 1000mm/s, it utilizes a high-quality RF laser for precise, high-quality engraving. The compact desktop design can handle most cork coasters, cork boards, or cork blocks, and it even features pass-through doors for larger materials. Plus, it’s versatile enough to work with a wide range of non-metal materials.
Compared to other standard CO2 laser cutters and engravers on the market, the Thunder Bolt offers a smaller footprint, faster speeds, and cleaner engravings, significantly boosting your productivity and creativity.
Check out what our customers are saying about their experiences with the Thunder Bolt! You can also visit our YouTube channel for more detailed content about the THUNDER LASER machines.
| Thickness | Process | Speed(mm/s) | Min Power(%) | Max Power(%) | Blow Type | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| / | Engraving | 1000 | 20 | 20 | low | 350 |
| 3mm | Cutting | 60 | 10 | 90 | high | 1.5" |
Laser engraving itself does not directly color cork board. Instead, it burns or scorches the surface to create contrast, leaving behind a darkened etched design. To color cork board, you can apply various methods after engraving. Common techniques include painting, staining, or using dye. You can use acrylic paints, spray paints, or fabric dyes to add color to the cork, either over the entire surface or just in the etched areas.
For more precise results, you may want to use painter’s tape to protect areas you don’t want to color, ensuring clean lines and a polished finish.
Cork has a porous, uneven texture, which can affect engraving results. To counter this, consider using masking tape to create a smooth surface for engraving. This helps achieve more consistent results and prevents the laser from creating uneven burns. It’s also important to use slower engraving speeds and finer settings for intricate designs.
Since cork is naturally absorbent, it’s essential to seal it after engraving to prevent moisture damage or staining. To seal laser-engraved cork, first ensure it’s clean and free of any dust by wiping it with a soft cloth or using compressed air to remove any residue. Then, apply a thin layer of clear acrylic spray or another suitable sealer to protect the surface and design. Allow it to dry completely after about 1-2 hours, and if necessary, apply a second coat for added protection.
When choosing a suitable sealer, you can consider a clear acrylic spray, polyurethane, or cork-specific sealer. Clear acrylic spray is a popular choice as it provides a protective coat without altering the appearance of the cork.
You can create exceptional cork laser items with top-quality equipment.
The Thunder laser engraving and cutting machine stands out with over 40 patents, including utility models, inventions, and appearances.
It ranks among the top three high-end co2 laser cutters in the USA, with FDA, RoHS, and CE certifications.
Our prestigious clients, including Google, Harvard University, Space X, and Columbia University, highly recommend us.
In the USA, the Thunder laser Nova 35 is the go-to mid-range laser machine, while we also offer the more powerful Nova and faster acceleration Thunder laser Odin series. No matter your laser needs, we have a CO2 laser machine model to support your laser career.
Call us at 86 181 0304 3363 to speak to one of our professionals, or email us at [email protected]
We stand ready to help you find the laser machine that works for you!
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