FAQ

Laser engraving can be done on various materials such as wood, acrylic, glass, leather, and metal. Each material provides a unique finish and look when engraved with a laser.

Yes, laser engraving can be done on many types and colors of leather, including natural animal leather like cowhide, lambskin, deerskin, and sheepskin. It can also be done on bonded leather, which is ground-up leather held together with a binder. Laser engraving is versatile and can be used on a variety of products, such as wallets, belts, and bags.

For customer supplied materials, where no design is required, we charge $15 to do laser engraving. It can usually be done on the spot. If you have something that needs to be done, please reach out to us:

Phone: 858-740-6494

email: carlsbadengraving@gmail.com

Laser engraving and cutting are similar processes that use high-intensity beams of light to cut or engrave materials. Both processes require similar machines, but have different characteristics and outcomes:

• Laser engraving Removes material from the surface of a part in a controlled pattern. The laser vaporizes the surface of the material to the desired depth, without cutting through the entire thickness. This process can be used to engrave designs, letters, or numbers on a wide range of materials. Laser engraving can be contactless, which means it produces few chips and dust, and doesn't require tools like cutters or drills. This can save time and money, and allow for maximum precision and fine details.

• Laser cutting Passes the laser beam through the entire thickness of a part, separating material into multiple pieces. This process melts, burns, and vaporizes the material to create cuts that are usually perfect and don't require touch-ups. Laser cutting can be used to make items like signage, jewelry, and prototype pieces, as well as for mass production.

A CO2 laser engraver uses a laser beam to engrave patterns into a surface. The laser is stimulated by a mixture of carbon dioxide and other elements in a glass tube, and high voltage electricity excites the gas particles to produce an infrared beam. The beam is then bounced around between mirrors until it's strong enough to penetrate a partially transparent mirror at the tip of the laser head. A lens focuses the beam, which is then directed at the material mounted on a table or platform. The laser beam creates high temperatures where it hits the material, causing it to vaporize or melt and be cut or engraved in a specific pattern.

Lighter woods generally produce better quality engravings for laser engraving. Here are some woods that work well for laser engraving:

• Cherry A popular choice for natural and photo engraving because of its natural contrast. Cherry wood darkens with age.

• Alder A soft, resinous wood that produces a dark burn and high-contrast images. Its light grain also helps preserve pattern details.

• Hard maple Also known as Acer saccharum, this wood is denser than cherry but finishes well and is great for laser engraving.

• Plywood Works well with CO laser systems, especially for filigree details. Birch plywood is a good choice because it's strong and stable, and produces a clean, precise finish with minimal warping or scorching. Walnut plywood is another option because it's a hardwood that can be cut precisely with a laser and used to create intricate shapes.

• Basswood A soft wood that's easy to work with and cuts well. It's also good for carving and woodburning, and takes paint, stain, and finish well.