CO2 Laser Engravers: Guide for Makers and Small Businesses

CO2 Laser Engraving vs. Cutting

While CO2 laser cutters and engravers often come in the same machine, engraving and cutting are distinct processes that require different approaches.

Cutting uses the laser at high power with slow movement to burn completely through material. The goal is a clean edge with minimal charring.

Engraving uses lower power and faster movement to remove material from the surface without cutting through. The goal is controlled depth, contrast, and detail—whether you're etching a design, marking text, or creating texture.

Most CO2 laser machines can do both, but the best machine for your needs depends on whether engraving or cutting is your primary application.

How Laser Engraving Works

Understanding the process helps you achieve better results:

Raster vs. Vector Engraving

Raster engraving works like an inkjet printer—the laser head moves back and forth, firing the laser in pulses to create images pixel by pixel. This is how you engrave photographs, complex graphics, and filled areas.

Vector engraving (also called scoring) follows paths in your design file. The laser traces lines at lower power than cutting. This is faster for outlines, text, and line art.

Key Settings That Affect Results

• Power: Higher power removes more material per pulse. Too high burns or chars.
• Speed: Faster speeds mean lighter engraving. Slower means deeper.
• DPI/Resolution: Dots per inch affects detail. Higher DPI = more detail but slower.
• Lines per inch (LPI): How close together the raster lines are. Higher = smoother gradients.
• Air assist: Keeps the lens clean and removes debris. Essential for clean results.

Finding the Right Settings

Every material needs different settings. Start with manufacturer recommendations, then dial in through testing. Keep a settings log—you'll reference it constantly.

Best Materials for CO2 Engraving

Wood

Wood is the most popular engraving material. Different woods produce different results:

• Cherry, maple, walnut: High contrast, beautiful results
• Baltic birch plywood: Consistent layers, clean engraving
• MDF: Uniform surface, dark engraving, budget-friendly
• Bamboo: Excellent contrast, eco-friendly option

Lighter woods generally show more contrast. Resinous woods (pine, fir) can be unpredictable.

Acrylic

Two types behave differently:

• Cast acrylic: Engraves to a frosted white—excellent contrast and appearance
• Extruded acrylic: Engraves clear/shiny—less contrast, harder to see

For engraving applications, always use cast acrylic. It costs more but the results are dramatically better.

Leather

Real leather engraves beautifully, creating a darkened, branded appearance. Excellent for:

• Wallets, belts, bags
• Personalized gifts
• Labels and patches
• Decorative items

Synthetic leather varies—test first. Some plastics release toxic fumes.

Glass

CO2 lasers create a frosted effect on glass by causing micro-fractures on the surface. Great for:

• Wine glasses and mugs
• Awards and trophies
• Decorative panels
• Mirrors (engrave from the back)

Apply masking or wet paper towels to prevent chipping. Use lower power than you'd expect.

Coated Metals

CO2 lasers cannot engrave bare metal, but they work great on:

• Anodized aluminum: Removes the colored anodizing to reveal silver
• Powder-coated metals: Burns through the coating
• Painted metals: Removes paint layer
• Marking compounds: Special sprays that bond to metal when lasered

Other Materials

• Paper/cardboard: Intricate designs, invitations, packaging
• Cork: Coasters, trivets, decorative items
• Fabric: Custom textiles, patches (test for synthetic content)
• Rubber: Custom stamps
• Stone/slate: Awards, coasters, signs

Popular Engraving Applications

Sign Making

Engraved signs are durable and professional:

• Business signage and plaques
• Directory signs
• Room numbers and nameplates
• Real estate signs
• ADA-compliant signage

Personalized Gifts

One of the most profitable applications:

• Cutting boards and kitchenware
• Picture frames
• Jewelry boxes
• Phone cases
• Keychains
• Pet tags

Awards and Recognition

• Trophies and plaques
• Corporate awards
• Sports memorabilia
• Graduation gifts
• Service awards

Leather Goods

• Custom wallets
• Personalized belts
• Branded bags and accessories
• Guitar straps
• Journal covers

Industrial Marking

• Serial numbers and part identification
• Barcodes and QR codes
• Compliance markings
• Logo branding

Desktop vs. Larger Format Engravers

Desktop Engravers (12" x 8" to 24" x 16")

Pros:

• Lower cost entry point
• Smaller footprint
• Adequate for most personalization work
• Good for testing business concepts

Cons:

• Limited to smaller items
• Slower for production work
• May outgrow quickly if business takes off

Best for: Hobbyists, Etsy sellers, small gift personalization

Mid-Size Engravers (24" x 16" to 36" x 24")

Pros:

• Handle most common engraving jobs
• Room for multiple items per run
• Better production efficiency
• More professional appearance

Cons:

• Higher investment
• More space required
• Larger exhaust needs

Best for: Small businesses, sign shops, established makers

Large Format (36" x 24"+)

Pros:

• Full-sheet engraving capability
• Maximum production efficiency
• Handle any standard job

Cons:

• Significant investment
• Requires dedicated space
• Overkill for small operations

Best for: Production shops, manufacturers, high-volume operations

Key Specs for Engraving

Resolution Capability

Measured in DPI (dots per inch). Higher DPI means finer detail:

• 300 DPI: Adequate for text and simple graphics
• 500 DPI: Good detail for most applications
• 1000+ DPI: Photo-quality detail on appropriate materials

Engraving Speed

Faster is better for production. Look for machines rated at 500mm/s or higher for engraving work. Remember: actual speed depends on resolution settings.

Repeatability

Critical for production work where you're engraving multiples. Good machines have ±0.01mm repeatability.

Rotary Attachments for Cylindrical Items

A rotary attachment is essential for engraving round objects like glasses, bottles, and mugs. There are two types:

Chuck-Style Rotary

• Grips the object like a lathe
• Better for tapered items
• More precise registration
• Limited size range

Roller-Style Rotary

• Object sits on rollers
• Works with various diameters
• Easier setup
• Can slip on very smooth surfaces

Most engraving businesses need a rotary—drinkware personalization is highly profitable.

Software Workflow

The path from design to finished product:

Design Software

Create your designs in:

• Vector programs: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape (free)
• Image editing: Photoshop, GIMP (free) for photos
• Dedicated laser software: Many machines come with design capabilities

Laser Control Software

Your machine's controller needs instructions:

• LightBurn: Industry favorite, works with most controllers
• RDWorks: Included with Ruida controllers
• LaserCAD: Included with some controllers

LightBurn is worth the investment—it's easier to use and more capable than most bundled software.

File Preparation

• Convert text to outlines/paths
• Set correct dimensions
• Assign colors to different operations (engrave vs. cut)
• Optimize layout for material efficiency

Starting an Engraving Business

Low Barrier to Entry

Laser engraving is one of the most accessible manufacturing businesses:

• Relatively low startup costs
• Can start from home
• Immediate production capability
• Wide market appeal

Finding Your Niche

Successful laser businesses usually specialize:

• Wedding and event personalization
• Pet product customization
• Corporate awards and gifts
• Small business branding
• Memorial and funeral items
• Sports and team merchandise

Pricing Your Work

Consider:

• Material costs
• Machine time (not just laser time—setup matters)
• Design time
• Market rates in your area
• Your experience and quality level

Don't race to the bottom on price—quality and service matter more than being cheapest.

Getting Started with the Right Equipment

Whether you're exploring laser engraving as a hobby or building a business, choosing the right machine is critical. The right balance of size, power, and features depends on your specific applications and growth plans.

Contact our team to discuss your engraving goals. We can help you choose equipment that matches your current needs while leaving room to grow.

Explore our laser equipment to see options with full US support and training available.