• Acrylic: CO2 lasers can easily cut through acrylic, making it a popular material for laser cutting. Acrylic can be cut into various shapes and sizes, making it ideal for signage, trophies, and display cases.
• Wood: CO2 lasers can cut through wood, producing intricate and precise designs. Wood can be cut into various thicknesses, making it ideal for creating custom furniture, decorative items, and art pieces.
• Leather: CO2 lasers can cut through leather, producing precise and clean cuts. Leather is often used for creating customized fashion items, such as belts, bags, and wallets.
• Paper: CO2 lasers can cut through paper, creating intricate designs and shapes. Paper is often used for creating invitations, greeting cards, and packaging materials.
• Fabric: CO2 lasers can cut through fabric, producing precise cuts that do not fray. Fabric is often used for creating customized clothing, such as appliques, patches, and logos.

In conclusion, CO2 lasers can cut through a wide range of materials, making them versatile tools for various industries. From acrylic to metal, CO2 lasers can produce precise and intricate cuts that cannot be achieved with traditional cutting techniques. If you are looking to create customized products or industrial parts, CO2 laser cutting is an excellent option to consider.

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC contains chlorine, which when exposed to a laser can produce harmful chlorine gas that can be hazardous to health.
• Polycarbonate: When cut with a CO2 laser, polycarbonate can release toxic fumes that can be harmful to health.
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS can produce toxic fumes when cut with a CO2 laser, which can be hazardous to health.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass contains a resin that can emit toxic fumes when cut with a CO2 laser.
• Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber can produce toxic fumes when cut with a CO2 laser.
• Teflon: Teflon can release toxic gases when cut with a CO2 laser.
• Any material that contains Chlorine or Fluorine: These materials can produce toxic gases when cut with a CO2 laser.

It is important to note that cutting these materials with a CO2 laser can be hazardous to health and can cause damage to the laser system. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the materials that should not be cut with a CO2 laser and to take necessary precautions to ensure safety. Contact us to ensure that the material you want to cut is safe to be cut with a CO2 laser.

1. Material: Different materials have different properties that affect the laser cutting and engraving process, and some may require more time, power, or specialized equipment. For example, wood, acrylic, and paper are relatively easy to laser cut and engrave, while metals or glass may require more specialized equipment and expertise, which can increase the cost.
2. Design complexity: The more complex the design, the longer it will take to laser cut or engrave, which can increase the cost. A simple design with clean lines and few details will be less expensive than a design with intricate details, shading, or gradients.
3. Quantity: The quantity of items being produced can affect the pricing, as bulk orders may be eligible for discounts or lower per-unit prices.
4. Size and thickness: Larger objects or thicker materials may require more time and energy to laser cut or engrave, which can increase the cost.
5. Turnaround time: Urgent or rush orders may incur additional charges due to the need for faster production.

Please contact us for a quotation.

1. Design your artwork: Use a design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or CorelDRAW to create your artwork. Make sure to specify the material type, thickness, and any other relevant details.
2. Save your design file: Save your design file in a compatible format such as SVG, DXF, or AI. Make sure to include any necessary specifications or production notes.
3. File submission: Send your design file by email, along with any instructions or specifications.
4. Confirm details and pay: Confirm the details of your order, including material type, thickness, quantity, and any other specifications.
5. Receive your order: Once your order is complete, you can either pick it up or have it shipped to your desired location.

Contact us before placing your order to ensure a smooth and successful process.

What is Laser Engraving?

Benefits of Laser Engraving:

• Precision: Laser engraving produces intricate and precise designs that cannot be achieved with traditional engraving techniques.
• Versatility: Laser engraving can be used on a wide range of materials, making it ideal for creating customized products in different industries.
• Customization: Laser engraving allows for unique and personalized designs, making it perfect for creating customized gifts or promotional items.
• Durability: Laser-engraved designs are long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for industrial parts or products that will be used daily.

What is Laser Cutting?

Benefits of Laser Cutting:

Applications:

Promotional Products: Laser engraving is commonly used to create customized promotional products such as keychains, pens, and drinkware.
Industrial Parts: Laser engraving is ideal for creating industrial parts that require precision and durability.
Jewelry: Laser cutting is an excellent technique for creating delicate and intricate jewelry designs, such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. You can use a variety of materials such as wood, acrylic, leather, or metal to create unique and personalized pieces.
Signage: Laser cut signs are an excellent way to create attention-grabbing signage for businesses or events, with customized shapes, logos, or lettering.
Furniture: Laser cutting can be used to create unique and customized furniture designs.
Decorative wall art: Laser cut designs can create stunning wall art pieces, including intricate geometric shapes, nature-inspired motifs, or customized typography.
Home decor: Laser cut designs can also be used to create decorative elements for the home, such as lampshades, coasters, candleholders, and photo frames.
Packaging: Laser cutting is an efficient way to create custom packaging designs, such as cardboard boxes, display stands, or product inserts, with intricate details and precise cuts.
Fashion accessories: Laser cut designs can be used to create unique and stylish fashion accessories such as belts, purses, and shoes.

Examples: Art Prints, Barcodes, Business Cards, Buttons, Cake Toppers, Chair Backs, Coasters, Company Logo Signs, Decorative Annotations, Door Numbers, Door Signs, Favours, Gift Tags, Invitations, Jigsaw puzzles, Magnets, Name Plates, Name Tags, Ornaments, Place Cards, Rubber Stamps, Save the Date Tags , Signs and Badges, Table Topper, Wall Designs and Washroom Signs

CO2 Lasers:

The laser beam is directed through a series of mirrors and lenses that focus it onto the material being processed. When the beam comes into contact with the material, the intense heat of the laser vaporizes or melts the material, creating a precise and clean cut or engraving.

The CO2 laser beam has a wavelength of around 10.6 microns, which makes it ideal for cutting or engraving non-metallic materials such as wood, acrylic, paper, plastic, and leather. The energy of the laser beam can be adjusted by changing the power and duration of the laser pulse, which allows for greater control over the depth and quality of the cut or engraving.

Overall, CO2 lasers are very efficient and precise machines for cutting and engraving a wide range of materials, and they are widely used in industries such as manufacturing, sign-making, and woodworking.

Laser vs CNC routers:

Laser cutters use a focused beam of light to cut and engrave materials, while CNC routers use a spinning cutting tool, such as a router bit, to carve out shapes and designs. Here are some of the main differences between laser cutters and CNC routers:

1. Material compatibility: Laser cutters can cut and engrave a wide range of materials, including wood, acrylic, plastic, leather, and fabric, while CNC routers are best suited for cutting and shaping harder materials such as wood, metal, and composites.
2. Precision: Laser cutters are generally more precise than CNC routers due to the smaller kerf (width of cut) of the laser beam, which allows for more intricate designs and details. CNC routers are better suited for larger cuts and less intricate designs.
3. Speed: Laser cutters are typically faster than CNC routers when cutting or engraving thin materials. However, CNC routers can be faster when cutting thicker materials or larger volumes.
4. Maintenance: Laser cutters require more maintenance than CNC routers due to the delicate nature of the laser tube and other components. CNC routers, on the other hand, require more frequent tool changes and maintenance of the cutting tool.

File Formats:

Laser cutters use a focused beam of light to cut and engrave materials, while CNC routers use a spinning cutting tool, such as a router bit, to carve out shapes and designs. Here are some of the main differences between laser cutters and CNC routers:

Raster images, such as JPEGs or PNGs, can also be used for laser engraving, but they are not ideal as they can lose quality when scaled up or down, which can result in a lower quality engraving. If you need to use a raster image for laser engraving, it is best to use a high-resolution image to ensure the best results.

It's important to note that different laser engraving machines may have specific file format requirements, so it's always best to check with us to ensure that you are using the correct file format.

Vector and bitmap (also known as raster) are two different types of digital images, and they can affect the outcome of laser engraving differently.

Vector images are created using mathematical equations that define lines and shapes, which can be scaled to any size without losing quality. As a result, vector images are preferred for laser engraving because they allow for precise control over the laser beam, producing clean, sharp lines and edges. Common vector file formats include AI, EPS, and SVG.

Bitmap (raster) images, on the other hand, are made up of individual pixels that form an image. When a bitmap image is enlarged, the pixels become more visible, causing the image to lose quality and become pixelated. This can result in a lower quality engraving. Common bitmap file formats include JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.

If you need to use a bitmap image for laser engraving, it's important to use a high-resolution image to minimize the effects of pixelation. A resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) is recommended for laser engraving to ensure the best quality.

In general, if you're planning to use laser engraving for creating precise designs or intricate details, it's best to use vector images. If you're engraving photographic images or other complex designs, bitmap images may be more appropriate, but you'll need to be mindful of the image quality to avoid pixelation.

In conclusion, laser engraving and cutting services offer precision, versatility, and customization, making them ideal for a variety of industries. Whether you are looking to create custom promotional products or industrial parts, laser technology can help bring your design to life. With its accuracy, efficiency, and durability, laser engraving and cutting services are essential tools for any business looking to create unique and personalized products.

1. LightBurn: A popular software option for laser engraving, LightBurn supports a wide range of laser engraving machines and allows for precise control over laser power, speed, and other settings. It has an intuitive user interface and offers features such as the ability to import vector and bitmap images, design and edit vector shapes, and generate GCode.
2. LaserGRBL: This open-source software is specifically designed for use with GRBL-based CNC machines, including laser engraving machines. It offers basic vector editing tools, as well as support for GCode, making it a good choice for users with some programming experience.
3. T2Laser: This software supports a wide range of laser engraving machines and offers features such as the ability to import vector and bitmap images, generate GCode, and adjust laser power, speed, and other settings. It also includes tools for editing vector shapes and offers a user-friendly interface.
4. Adobe Illustrator: As a vector-based design software, Adobe Illustrator is a popular choice for creating designs that can be used for laser engraving. It offers powerful vector editing tools, as well as the ability to import and export various file formats.
5. Inkscape: This open-source vector graphics editor is a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator and offers similar features for creating vector designs that can be used for laser engraving.

Other software options for laser engraving include RDWorks, CorelDRAW, and AutoCAD, among others. It's important to choose a software that is compatible with your laser engraving machine and offers the features and tools you need to create the designs you want.

1. Laser engraving: Laser engraving is a process of using a laser to remove material from the surface of a material to create a design. The laser removes a thin layer of material, leaving behind a textured, engraved look. Laser engraving is often used on materials such as metal, wood, and plastic to create logos, text, and other designs.

2. Laser cutting: Laser cutting is a process of using a laser to cut through a material to create a custom shape. The laser uses a focused beam of light to vaporize the material in the path of the beam. Laser cutting is commonly used on materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and fabric to create custom shapes, patterns, and designs.

3. Laser etching: Laser etching removes a thin layer of material, leaving behind a textured, frosted look. Laser etching is often used on materials such as glass, crystal, and acrylic to create logos, text, and other designs. The difference between laser etching and laser engraving is the depth to which the laser penetrates the surface. Laser etching melts the micro surface to create raised marks, whereas engraving removes material to create deep marks. Please note etching is a chemical process while engraving is a physical process.

4. Laser marking: Laser marking discolors the surface of the material, while laser etching and engraving actually removes a portion of the surface area as it marks. Laser marking is commonly used on metals, plastics, and ceramics to create serial numbers, barcodes, and logos.

In summary, laser etching and laser engraving are similar techniques that create a frosted or engraved look on the material's surface, while laser marking creates a permanent mark by removing a layer of material or changing the surface color. Laser cutting is used to create custom shapes and designs by cutting through the material, using a focused beam of light. Each of these techniques has its own unique advantages and limitations, and the choice of which method to use depends on the material, the desired result, and the project requirements.

For more info on Custom Laser Cutting & Engraving Services please see these pages:
Laser Engraving Articles
Laser Engraving Glossary