Two laser technologies are relevant in desktop laser engraving – diode and CO2.

Diode lasers use a semiconductor diode to convert current into light which is then focused into a beam. Generally, diode lasers are cheaper, making them a great low-cost starting point. While they are suitable for engraving most materials, they typically lack the power of stronger CO2 lasers, and their ability to cut materials is limited. That is because the maximum physical output of a laser diode is about 10 W. Note: while some manufacturers claim their diode laser engravers capable of 15-30 W, this refers to the input power. Make sure to check the actual output of a machine.

CO2 lasers are a significant step up from a diode laser, often offering several times more power. They work by passing an electrical current through a CO2-filled glass tube, which creates the light energy. Mirrors then guide this light to the focusing lens.

While powerful diode lasers exist, CO2 lasers generally offer more versatility than diode lasers and are able to cut materials that diode lasers can’t. The downside is, CO2 lasers are very delicate devices with mirrors and glass tubes that are highly susceptible to damage – especially during transport. In addition, there are consumable costs with CO2 lasers in replacement parts needed after a couple thousand hours of usage.

Laser engravers are compatible with a wide variety of materials, but a particular laser may not be compatible with the materials you would like to work with. Before you invest in a laser engraver, it’s very important you know the materials you want to work with so that you get the most appropriate laser engraver for the job.

For the short read, peruse our six-step guide. If you want to delve deeper, consult our in-depth dossiers that will help you improve your laser engraving results.

1. First, make yourself familiar with the distinct effects raster engraving and vector engraving create on different materials. This allows you to design your part in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and cost-efficient – Learn about the fundamental differences between these two techniques.
2. Wood is not the same as stone. You should also be aware of the different ways materials react to laser engraving – Read the laser engraving materials guide to learn how to achieve what effect on the desired material.
3. Next, create the design in a graphics program like Gimp or Photoshop for raster files and AutoCAD, Illustrator, or InkScape for vector files – Learn more about the software used to create laser engraving graphics.
4. Transfer the file to the laser engraver and fasten the part on the work platform. Depending on the design and materials, you may use tape, but some laser engravers offer mechanical solutions.
5. Choose the laser engraving settings according to the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Use presets to speed up this step of the process – Read about the Do’s & Don’ts of how to maintain your laser engraver and achieve eye-catching effects.
6. Run the laser engraver.
7. Usually, it is not necessary to post-process laser engraved parts. If necessary, assemble the part, i.e., attach chains, glue walls, and components. In short, work your magic.

You can use both raster and vector files for laser marking, engraving, and etching. However, your intended use may impact which one you apply for your design.

Raster files (JPG, PNG, etc.) are the go-to format for large engravings like fillet letters, images, and stamps. If you want to engrave any image made with a camera, raster engraving is what you want to use. Just like on computer screens, the image is put together by gradually adding points to form any shape you can imagine. Sometimes this method is also called “area engraving.” This method is especially well suited to materials like acrylic because it lends a beautiful frosted finish with a distinct contrast. Avoid raster engraving large glass, stone, and ceramic surfaces, since the results may be visually uneven.

Vector files (SVG, EPS, etc.) are composed of lines that are traced onto the surface sequentially. If your design consists of fine lines and curves, then vector engraving is the appropriate method. Professionals also call this approach “scoring,” and sometimes “line engraving.” Vector engraving lends itself well to wood because the burned outline creates a stunning contrast with the warm surface of the material. It is less suitable for materials like acrylic since the melted outline is only faintly visible. The video above illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of both methods.

For the best effect, it may be worthwhile to combine both methods. The final parts feature the evenly engraved surface from raster engraving and also the crisp outline created by the vector engraving. This effect works exceptionally well on wood.

The difference between both methods can be a substantial cost saver even when you order only one piece from an online service. But how do you decide? As a rule of thumb, if your surface details consist of large, relatively simple shapes, you should opt for vector engraving, as this is the quicker and thus more economical laser engraving method. However, if the design covers a large area that contains many intricate details, you should choose the raster engraving method. However, ultimately, you should decide based on what works best for your design!

Laser engraving is so much more than fastening any material in the work area and pushing a button. Every material has its quirks and idiosyncrasies that will sometimes help you achieve your design goal and sometimes make it hard for you. The following list will guide you through the properties of the most common materials.

Laser Engraving Leather

It is possible to laser engrave finished leather, producing a look similar to hot branding. Avoid raster marking large surfaces, since the leather will turn powdery. Therefore, vector marking is recommended.

Since leather is a natural material, it may deform during laser engraving if too much power is applied.

Because of the many varieties of leather, it is difficult to come up with a general rule for laser engraving. Hence, there is no way around determining the optimal laser engraving settings for each kind separately. To this end, test your machine with a grayscale matrix.

Laser Engraving Paper / Cardboard

Because of the many varieties of paper and cardboard, it is advisable to determine the optimal laser engraving settings for each kind separately. To this end, test your machine with a grayscale matrix.

Laser Engraving Wood

Besides natural woods, there is also plywood, which has several advantages. This laser engraving material consists of several sheets of wood that are glued together. As a result, plywood boasts a raised mechanical resistance, water resistance, and lower weight. All these properties have made plywood a staple for builders, designers, artists, and craftsmen.

In terms of laser engraving, plywood has an additional advantage over natural wood. When cut into sheets, the latter reveals grains in alternating shades that stem from different kinds of growth during the seasons. These differences also translate into different laser engraved surfaces. Usually, the lighter areas will come out lighter, and the dark areas will be darker.

As a rule of thumb, unless the desired look of your design is zebra pattern, you will be better off using plywood that has a uniform surface.

When engraving hardwood, you should always apply higher laser power to achieve smooth results.

To determine the optimal laser engraving settings, test your machine with a grayscale matrix.

Laser Engraving Glass

The effects of lasers on glass surfaces can be manipulated using a number of practical methods:

Apply a moist paper towel to achieve a smoother surface finish and a white engraving result. Take care that there are no air bubbles or overlaps because this would distort the effect. Once the engraving is finished, the paper towel can be wiped off easily.

An alternative to paper towels is application tape. Like moist paper towels, application tape is an excellent measure against surface roughening. The same caveat concerning air bubbles and overlaps applies. However, the final engraving color is not a bright white but looks grey. Once the engraving is finished, the tape residue can be easily removed.

But what to do when your laser engraver doesn’t have enough power to engrave glass? You can still achieve high-contrast designs by stenciling paint with tape! Simply mask the glass surface with tape, then engrave your design into it. Next, cover the revealed area of the tape with a thin layer of paint using a brush. After the paint has dried, peel the tape and remove the tape residue carefully.

Laser Engraving Stone

When engraving stone, you’ll find the best results with polished stones and, to avoid distortions of the laser engraving motif, try to use stones that have a flat surface. You can align natural stones with the laser by using modeling clay as support and, when setting the laser’s focus, applying an average value to achieve a uniform result

If your results are unsatisfactory, consider changing the Z-offset value. This simple trick can significantly improve the result of your engraving. Many professional laser engravers report that hard stones are easier to process if you choose a negative Z-offset value of 1 mm or more. The physics behind this workaround is simple. The closer the surface to be engraved is to the laser, the more energy enters.

But what about when your laser engraver doesn’t have enough power to engrave stone? Or, when working with extremely hard stones that yield no satisfying results? You can still achieve high-contrast designs by stenciling paint with tape! Simply mask the glass surface with tape, then engrave your design into it. Next, cover the revealed area of the tape with a thin layer of paint using a brush. After the paint has dried, peel the tape and remove the tape residue carefully.

Raster Engraving

Files for use in raster engraving can be created in many graphic programs. In fact, if you are reading this on a Windows, macOS, or Linux PC, then you’ll have a pre-installed graphics program with the operating system that will suffice for your basic needs. But, these programs are our preferences:

Laser Engraver Software #1: Adobe Photoshop

Undoubtedly, Photoshop is the go-to raster image solution. Its mind-boggling feature set makes it not only popular among professionals, but a series of trimmed-down versions for mobile devices are also suitable to consumers who wish to enhance their snapshots or make their feet wet in graphic design.

If you are looking for a free alternative to Photoshop, try GIMP.

Laser Engraver Software #2 GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free raster graphics editor that is considered by many to be on par with Photoshop. It features comprehensive image editing tools, like transformation, selection, layer, and masking tools, but also filters and brushes. Hence, this free and open-source graphics editor is superbly equipped for creating raster engraving files.

Vector Engraving

Vector engraving files are created in programs that offer support for vector formats like AI, DXF, EPS, PDF, and SVG. In general, this software comes with different tools to generate the necessary files. Depending on the machine you are using, a different setup is required. For example, if you want to combine vector engraving and raster engraving in the same design, it may be necessary to create separate files or assign different colors for each technique.

Laser Engraver Software #3: AutoCAD

First published in 1982, AutoCAD is one of the most popular CAD software available today. Its extensive feature set makes it a standard across a wide range of industries: architecture, engineering, graphic design, management, and others. Moreover, it saves its designs as vector files that can be used for laser engraving.

If you are looking for a free alternative to AutoCAD, try FreeCAD.

Learn more about this software for laser engraving: AutoCAD 2025: Free Download of the Full Version

Laser Engraving Software #4: FreeCAD

Designed around parametric modeling, FreeCAD is a solid free CAD software. It offers a modular architecture that allows plugins to be mounted to the core application. This means FreeCAD can be used in widely different fields like architecture, engineering, robotics, and CAM.

Learn more about this free CAD software:

Laser Engraving Software #5: Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator is Adobe’s go-to vector graphic software, with a baffling range of tools. On the flip side, it takes extensive training to fully leverage Illustrator’s capabilities and make good on your investment.

If you are looking for a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator, try InkScape.

Laser Engraver Software #6: InkScape

InkScape is a free vector software that has been actively developed since 2003, so you can safely say that it is now a mature and reliable piece of vector software. It implements the complete SVG standard, meaning your designs are not stuck in a proprietary format, but an open standard. Over the years, the toolset of InkScape has grown substantially. Today, it includes handy tools like image tracing, i.e., you can convert a raster file into a vector file automatically. InkScape is available for free download.

So, you want to know how you can improve your laser engravings? Here are a few tricks that will help achieve that goal.

Calibrate your Laser

There are a few hacks that allow you to get you started in no time. However, if you are earnest about laser engraving, then there is no way around measuring the focal point of your laser. We suggest that you test 10 to 15 increments of 1 mm in the Z-axis. Prepare a series of files that contain a straight line and the value you are testing. Once your series of tests is complete, compare the results. You want the laser engraving with the thinnest solid line. Use this value for your future laser engravings.

The same applies to testing the intensity of colors. Modern laser engraving machines can achieve a broad spectrum of shades. However, the appearance of the final engraving cannot always be deduced by looking at the raster file. Laser engraving a grayscale matrix onto your material is an easy way to achieve predictable results, as you can “read” the intensity of shades on a scale from 0 (white) to 100 (black). Ideally, you should run this test for every material you want to laser engrave for the best possible results.

Avoid Smoke Stains

Laser engraving on materials like wood and leather can sometimes stain the surface surrounding the engraved area. While some makers like this “branded” look, it can be easily avoided. Protect the surface of the part using masking tape. The tape is so thin that it will not diminish the power of the laser much, but will protect the material from superfluous markings. If you feel diminished power may be an issue when using tape, increase the laser power a few notches. After the laser engraver is done, peel the masking tape off your part.

Keep your Laser Engraver Clean

Tidiness at the workplace should be a no-brainer. However, concerning laser engraving, we’re not merely talking about courtesy towards your co-workers. Materials like wood, plastics, or rubber leave large amounts of dust that may cause unwanted results like discolorations, burnt debris, or even distortions. Be sure to install an exhaust system with the necessary capacities. It will take a lot of weight on your shoulders, but won’t clean the entire machine.

You should also be cleaning your laser engraver regularly by hand, removing the bulk of dust with a simple kitchen cloth. Pay extra attention to the machine head and the laser lens: these components should be free from dust and smut at all times to avoid laser engraving mistakes. To increase the efficiency of your exhaust when working with parts smaller than your work platform, try covering the rest of the platform with paper. It will save you a fair amount of manual cleaning.

Use Templates to Engrave Multiple Parts in One Session

Templates are a safe and cost-effective way to laser engrave multiple parts in one process. They fasten the objects into fixed positions that are known to you and your laser engraving software. Hence, you are not bound to laser engrave objects one by one but, instead, you can process entire trays in one session.

Here are our tips for making your laser engraving process more efficient with templates:

Watch out for the volume of your workpieces. For thin objects, flat templates are sufficient to keep them in place. However, thicker and rounded objects, like pens, require thicker templates to keep them from rolling away.

In case you work with a large number of different templates, be sure to write (or laser engrave) the name of the graphics file in question onto the template, making it much easier to match your tools in your daily work. File small templates in folders to keep them safe and organized.