Selecting Suitable Materials for Your Laser Engraver

OMTech Laser Updated On Sep 17, 2024

When it comes to laser engraving, choosing your laser engraver machine is only the first step when it comes to laser engraving! Understanding and choosing suitable materials for laser engraving affects not only the engraving results but also the safety and cost-efficiency of the machine. In this article, we’ll show you how to select the appropriate material type for a laser engraving machine, factors to consider, common materials, and more.

Laser Type and Material Compatibility

Before we discuss the specifics of choosing materials for your laser engraving projects, we’ll review the basics of what materials suit each laser type.

Laser Machine Types	Laser Wavelength	Suitable Materials	Applications and Features
CO2 Laser Engraver	10.6 micrometers	Wood, paper, leather, fabric, rubber, acrylic, glass, plastic, ceramic, etc.	Suitable for laser engraving and cutting non-metallic materials. Commonly used in advertising, packaging, and crafts.
Fiber Laser Engraver	1064 nanometers	Stainless steel, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, brass, titanium, tungsten, some plastics (ABS, PVC), brick, etc.	Primarily used for precise engraving of metal materials. Offers high speed and is suitable for industrial applications such as metal marking and nameplate production.
Ultraviolet Laser Engraver	355 nanometers	Glass, transparent plastics, ceramics, silicon	Suitable for micromachining and high-precision engraving. Commonly used for engraving electronic components, glass products, and chips.
Blue Laser Engraver	450 nanometers	Aluminum, stainless steel, copper, wood, leather, paper, acrylic, transparent or highly reflective plastics	With a shorter wavelength and smaller spot size, blue laser offers higher engraving precision. Particularly suitable for applications requiring detailed patterns and small fonts.

CO2 laser engravers are best suited for non-metal materials like wood, plastic, leather, and glass. Fiber lasers, on the other hand, excel with metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and onward. UV lasers are perfect for heat-sensitive materials like plastic, glass, and ceramics. With so many variations of materials to choose from, ensure your laser engraving machine and materials are compatible.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Engraving Materials

Material Characteristics

When choosing your materials, consider these main characteristics: reflectivity, thermal conductivity, and hardness/density.

Reflectivity: Materials with high reflectivity (like aluminum, copper, etc.) require higher laser power or special treatment to avoid damage from laser reflection.

Thermal Conductivity: The material’s thermal conductivity affects engraving quality. Materials with high thermal conductivity require more control over engraving speed and power.

Hardness and Density: Hard materials require higher laser power and slower engraving speeds in order to penetrate.

Laser Engraving Effect

When purchasing, consider the effect you’re attempting to create with your laser engraving project. Think about the thickness and color of the material, as these factors can significantly impact the visual appearance of your product. For example, using thick, clear acrylic to create 3D puzzles is entirely different from using thin, blue acrylic for custom jewelry.

Similarly, using lighter or darker wood creates contrast when laser engraving. Dark wood showcases laser engraving better than light-colored wood, making your etchings stand out. Your material's color, thickness, and composition allow you to customize your projects and create unique effects!

Safety

Before settling on your laser engraving materials, you must first consider safety considerations. Some materials, like PVC and faux leather, release toxic or harmful gases during engraving. Avoid using such materials, or ensure your laser engraving setup includes proper ventilation and filtration systems. Some materials are also prone to combustion and require special attention. Ensure your laser power and engraving speed settings are optimal, and supervise your machine at all times to prevent fires.

Cost and Supply

Material prices and availability will depend on the material and your area. Buying material in bulk or working with local businesses to utilize their scraps are great ways to save money and material waste. Select materials that are easy to procure and have stable suppliers to avoid project delays due to lack of materials.

Common Engraving Materials

Wood

Wood is incredibly versatile and relatively easy to laser engrave. Common types of wood include:

Softwoods: Include pine and poplar. Budget-friendly, easy to engrave, ideal for beginners or large-scale projects.
Hardwoods: Oak, cherry, walnut, etc. Display striking textures and unique details after engraving.
Plywood: Composed of multi-layered sheets. Great for cutting and engraving.

When purchasing wood, look for smooth surfaces free of knots and cracks—those imperfections can throw off your laser just like bumps in the road. Opt for dried wood to avoid warping, as wood with high moisture content is prone to deformation and can affect the engraving quality.

Plastic

Common types of plastic are acrylic, AVS plastic, and two-color boards. Each type of plastic offers a variety of colors, finishes, and possibilities for cutting and engraving.

Acrylic: Comes in transparent or colored sheets. Incredibly diverse and durable, making it great for custom signs, jewelry, keychains, and more.

ABS plastic: Suitable for engraving, typically more difficult to cut.

Two-color boards: Commonly used for signage. Different colors are revealed after engraving for a nice, contrasting effect.

When selecting plastic sheets, it’s best to choose thicknesses between 1mm to 20mm, though this will vary depending on the capabilities of your laser engraver. Quality is also key—look for sheets without impurities or bubbles to ensure a flawless finish. Using plastic with protective film is also incredibly helpful, as the film helps prevent scratching during transportation and processing.

Metal

Engraving on metal typically requires high-powered or fiber lasers. Despite the higher intensity required for etching on metal, metal engravings are stunning and long-lasting. Common types of metal used for laser engraving include:

Stainless steel: Suitable for fiber laser engraving. Used for nameplates, tools, etc.

Aluminum: Lightweight. Suitable for fiber laser engraving and marking.

Coated metals: Compatible with CO2 lasers. The metal surface is coated with a paint layer that is removed during engraving, revealing the underlying metal.

Make sure to go for high-purity metals, as impurities can affect engraving results. If you’re looking for metal engraving that pop, choose aluminum with anodized treatment to achieve higher contrast. And finally, remember to choose a materialin a size appropriate to the machine work area and project requirements.

Leather

Leather is smooth, supple, and aesthetically pleasing, offering a unique canvas for your laser engravings. Common types of leather for laser engraving include:

Genuine leather: Cowhide, sheepskin, etc. Have good texture and are suitable for high-end products.

Synthetic leather: Lower cost, but be aware of harmful gases produced during engraving. Can be ventilated safely with an air filtration system.

When shopping for leather for laser cutting, choose an appropriate thickness. Typical laser engravers can cut leather with 1-3mm thicknesses. Darker leather also creates a greater contrast after engraving, making your designs pop even more.

Fabric and Cloth

Engraving on fabric allows you to customize your own wardrobe, diversifying the materials you can work with. Typical fabrics for laser engraving are:

Natural fibers: Cotton, linen, etc. Offer good engraving and cutting effects.

Synthetic fabrics: Polyester, nylon, etc. Require good control over laser power.

While fabric laser engravings offer many advantages, they are also somewhat difficult to work with. Choose high-density fabrics to create a clearer contrast for the engraving designs. You’ll also want to work with fabrics with flame-retardant properties, as you don’t want the cloth to catch on fire in the machine. Ensuring the fabric is pre-shrunk or stretched before engraving will also prevent deformation afterwards.

Glass

Fragile, yet beautiful, custom glass engravings are a staple of breweries, wineries, and restaurants alike. This material offers crisp and classic results, delivering clean engravings for customers and patrons.

When selecting your glass for laser engraving, opt for high transparency glass. This type of glass best showcases the etchings. Generally, you should choose glass around 3-10mm thick, as thin glass is prone to shattering.

Stone

Incredibly long-lasting with unique textures, compositions, and more, stone is a special material that offers stunning results when engraved. You can laser engrave stone such as:

Marble: Beautiful, diverse textures. Suitable for decorations, kitchenware, and more.

Granite: Hard and durable. Suitable for outdoor signage, garden decor, and more.

When choosing stone for laser engraving, select stone with a flat surface to showcase the engravings best. Dark-colored stone will also create more contrast for the engravings. And, as always, choose a stone in a size appropriate for the machine and your project expectations.

Where to Purchase Laser Engraving Material

Now that we’ve expanded on the specifics of choosing your laser engraving material, where do you purchase laser engraving materials? Luckily, we’ve got some suggestions for you.

Professional Material Suppliers

Advantages: Guaranteed material quality, complete specifications, strong professionalism.
Recommendations: Establish long-term cooperative relationships with suppliers for better prices and services.

Online E-commerce Platforms

Advantages: Wide selection range, transparent prices, convenient for comparison.
Recommendations: Choose reputable sellers, check product reviews and store ratings.

Local Building Material Markets or Wholesale Markets

Advantages: Can select materials on-site, save transportation time and costs.
Recommendations: Personally check material quality, understand the qualifications and reputation of suppliers.

Second-Hand Materials or Scrap Materials

Advantages: Low cost, suitable for experiments and small projects.
Recommendations: Ensure materials are undamaged and meet environmental and safety requirements.

Conclusion

Selecting laser engraving materials for your projects means you should consider factors such as laser machine type, material characteristics, engrarving effects, safety, and cost. By understanding the characteristics of different materials and purchasing techniques, you can choose the best materials for your projects to ensure the results match your expectations.

As you explore your material options, you’ll find what best fits your laser engraver. With OMTech’s arsenal of laser engraving machines, you’re able to bring your creative visions to life! Whether you’re a hobbyist or a budding entrepreneur, we have the perfect machines to match your ambition. Let’s create something amazing together—because with OMTech, the only limit is your imagination.

Happy engraving!