Need to Know First

Laser Engraving Features and Types

Laser engraving is a common process category in practical laser applications. Reading the following content will help you better create with lasers!

Laser Engraving Features

Different from other processes like cutting and vector marking, engraving has its own unique characteristics you need to know:

The processing speed used in laser engraving is relatively high, while the processing power is relatively low.
During laser engraving, air assist generally uses a low air flow setting.
Compared to cutting and marking, additional parameters need to be set for laser engraving: DPI, filling method.
The motion of the laser head during laser engraving is different. In the engraving process, the laser head will only move in a horizontal straight line from right to left (single direction mode), or reciprocate horizontally (bidirectional mode) with laser emission during linear motion.

Laser Engraving Types

Specifically, based on engraving depth and effect, laser engraving can be divided into shallow engraving, deep engraving, and relief engraving. Based on the laser emission area, it can be divided into recessed engraving and raised engraving. Based on the type of pattern used during engraving, it can be divided into vector engraving and image engraving.

These classifications intersect with each other. For example, the work shown below can be both a raised engraving and a deep engraving, as well as a vector engraving.

Shallow Engraving

Shallow engraving refers to laser engraving with a depth less than 0.5mm. Generally speaking, the power used for shallow engraving is lower than deep engraving. The weaker power has a weaker effect on the material, so shallow engraving usually has a lighter color. All materials that can be laser engraved can use shallow engraving. Due to thickness limitations, some thin materials can only use shallow engraving.

Deep Engraving

Deep engraving refers to laser engraving with a depth greater than 0.5mm. Generally speaking, the power used for deep engraving is higher than shallow engraving. The higher power not only increases the engraving depth but also increases the intensity of the laser’s effect. Therefore, deep engraving not only has a greater depth but also usually has a deeper color, giving deep engraving a stronger contrast effect. Deep engraving can also meet some specific needs, such as filling the engraved part with pigment or inlaying decorations or placing components. Only materials with a thickness above 2mm are suitable for deep engraving. Deep engraving is not recommended on thin materials less than 1mm thick.

Relief Engraving

Whether it is deep engraving or shallow engraving, the ideal final effect presented is that the bottom of the engraved pattern is relatively flat, with a relatively uniform depth, similar to the effect of a planographic print. However, the effect presented by relief engraving is different from deep and shallow engraving. It has a very obvious three-dimensional feel, with significant differences in engraving depth across the entire work. This is because relief engraving uses a special image during design: a processed grayscale image. Relief engraving requires thicker material for engraving. This is because relief engraving requires a larger range of engraving depth variation to achieve a better effect.

Recessed Engraving

In laser engraving, recessed engraving refers to the engraving process where the pattern area is laser engraved while the background area is not engraved. Recessed engraving can achieve the effect of the pattern area being recessed or discolored, which is a very common laser process.

Raised Engraving

In laser engraving, raised engraving refers to the engraving process where the pattern area is not laser engraved while the background area is engraved. Raised engraving can achieve the effect of the background area being recessed or discolored, which is generally less common than recessed engraving.

Vector Engraving

Vector engraving refers to engraving where the design file is a vector graphic. The text engravings shown above are vector engravings. A vector graphic is an image composed only of points and lines, which can be drawn in Lasermaker using pens or directly imported from graphics in the image library. Of course, importing materials from external sources is also fine!

Photo Engraving

Photo engraving refers to engraving where the design file is a photograph. Not all photos are suitable for laser engraving, and randomly selecting a photo without screening and processing will likely result in poor engraving quality. To achieve a relatively good photo engraving effect, you first need to select a high-resolution photo with a clear subject and bright image. After selecting the photo, image processing needs to be performed, including but not limited to composition adjustment, exposure adjustment, color adjustment, and final sharpening.

Due to space limitations, the specific processing methods will not be elaborated here.