Laser engraving translates digital files into permanent marks by removing material through burning, melting, or vaporization.
Your file defines either paths (vector) or pixels (raster). Your settings define how much energy the laser delivers at each point.
Clean outcomes come from controlling three things: safe operation, clean files, and repeatable settings validated by tests.
Never operate a laser engraver without proper ventilation that exhausts outside.
Never leave the machine unattended while running—lasers can start fires within seconds.
Use appropriate eye protection for your laser type (especially open-frame diode and fiber systems).
Never engrave PVC/vinyl or unknown plastics—chlorine-containing materials release corrosive and hazardous gases.
Laser type determines what you can engrave: CO2 for organics/acrylic, fiber for metals, diode for lighter-duty organics.
Wavelength matters as much as wattage: materials absorb different wavelengths differently.
Work area and focal length define project size and what thicknesses can stay in focus.
Flatness matters: warps and curves create focus variation and uneven engraving depth.
Clean surfaces engrave better—wipe dust and oils with isopropyl alcohol.
Masking tape can prevent scorch marks and keep edges clean on wood, acrylic, and painted surfaces.
Material density, thickness, and batch variation change results—record successful settings per material.
Vectors (SVG/DXF/AI) define paths the laser follows; rasters (PNG/JPG) define pixel-based power variation.
Use rasters for photos and tonal work. Use vectors for clean outlines, text, and technical linework.
Photo-to-vector conversion is a major time sink—auto-trace often needs cleanup (broken lines, stray points, excessive nodes).
Production workflows often use specialized conversion tools to get consistent, clean SVGs quickly.
Power controls how much energy the laser delivers; speed controls how long it dwells on each area.
High power + slow speed can char and roughen edges; the same depth at faster speed often looks cleaner.
Start conservative, then increase gradually. Use test matrices to map power vs speed for each material.
Set the correct focal distance using your focus gauge or auto-focus system. Recheck when thickness changes.
Confirm bed boundaries, orientation, and that the laser path makes sense (no wasted travel or out-of-bounds moves).
A test tile or matrix on scrap is faster than redoing a full piece after a mistake.
Look for flames, heavy smoke, no marking, or unusual sounds. Pause immediately if something looks wrong.
Log material, thickness, DPI, power, speed, and any masking/finishing steps for future jobs.
Increase power (often +10–20%) or reduce speed (often -20–30%). Recheck focus and ensure the material surface isn’t blocking absorption (coatings/film).
Reduce power or increase speed. Confirm you’re not using cutting settings for engraving. Also verify material thickness and dryness.
Most commonly focus or dirty optics. Re-focus, clean lens/mirrors properly, and secure the material so it cannot shift. Also confirm file resolution is adequate.
Keep optics clean (lens/mirrors), exhaust flowing, and belts properly tensioned to avoid alignment and power loss.
Document repeatable processes: material prep, known-good settings, post-cleanup, and QC checks.
Start simple, keep test records, and build a reference library for your most common materials.
Good results start with good geometry. Use an engraving-ready SVG workflow to reduce cleanup time and avoid messy toolpaths.
Photo to SVG Drawing Conversion