Laser engraving
How laser engraving works
A focused laser beam burns or vaporises a thin layer of the surface, so the mark is cut into the material rather than laid on top of it. Nothing is added, which is why an engraved mark cannot chip, peel or fade.
The colour of the result is not chosen: it is whatever the material gives up. Wood and leather darken, glass and acrylic go frosted, anodised aluminium turns back to bright metal, and a powder coating lifts to show the metal underneath. There is one tone and no gradient, so the design has to work as a single colour.
What laser engraving suits
Engraving suits hard materials and gifts that are meant to last, and it is the usual method on anything presented as an award. It handles small text and fine line work better than most of the other methods, because there is no ink to spread.
Products and materials it works on
- Awards and trophies in glass, acrylic and wood
- Stainless steel and aluminium flasks and bottles
- Bamboo, wood and slate
- Leather and PU notebook covers, keyrings and tags
- Metal pens, tools and multitools
Lead time, minimum quantity and artwork
- Lead time
- Confirmed with your quote, against stock and quantity
- Minimum quantity
- Depends on the product and the branding method
- Artwork
- Vector artwork (AI, EPS or PDF) in a single colour, with the design reduced to solid shapes and outlines. Fine detail engraves well, but very thin lines can burn away on softer materials, so allow a little weight in the line work.
Other branding methods
Embroidery
Screen printing
Sublimation
Pad printing
Digital printing
Debossing and foiling
Doming and badges
Vinyl heat transfer
Pen branding
Ask us to price your order
Add the products you want to a quote list, tell us the quantity and how you want them branded, and we come back with pricing. Nothing on this site carries a price because every job is costed on the product, the quantity and the decoration.