Laser Engraving Glass (2024)

FAQs

Can I laser engrave on glass? ›

Can you laser engrave glass? Yes. With the help of a rotary engraving attachment, you can engrave all types of glass all the way round.

Machine settings when engraving glass varies depending on the type of laser machine you have and the wattage of your laser tube. With a 60W laser, try the following settings for best results: 20% power, 300mm/s speed and 0.1mm interval whilst using a 2" or 2.5" focal lens.

A permanent marker is good enough, but you can also use black spray or latex paint applied with a brush.

CO2 lasers can (40w included) can mark glass, but it is not actually etching the glass. When a CO2 laser's focal lasing energy is at the surface, or just past the surface of glass, the air inside that portion of the glass will expand and cause a tiny crack.

CO2 Lasers Are Best for Engraving Glass.

As we mentioned before, the most common tool used for glass engraving is a rotary tool with a diamond burr bit. This type of tool is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores.

It is as simple as applying the orange mask to your glass piece before you laser engrave. The mask acts like a heat sink for the laser and works by reducing the amount of heat that touches the glass, which in turn reduces the number of chipping and fractures that occur in the glass outside the laser path.

Laser marking Pyrex^® is done using a 10.6 micron CO₂ laser. The laser interacts with the surface of the Pyrex^® by causing localized heat stress. With sufficient laser power, microscopic pieces of glass can be fractured and ejected from the surface creating an frosted mark without significant material removal.

The glass might appear clean, but there could be fingerprints or small dust particles that can affect the engraving. Therefore, it is better to apply denatured alcohol to the surface and clean it.

There are two main methods for creating a color fill on glass: applying spray paint or rubbing an oil-based paint into the engraved areas. See the Engraving Glass guide for more information on processing glass.

What is the difference between laser etching and engraving glass? ›

Laser engraving is accomplished by using a high heat laser that causes the material surface to vaporize. In contrast, laser etching machines are less powerful and provide only a fraction of the cutting capabilities of a laser engraver.

A new laser engraver costs an average of $5,280 for entry-level and high-end models in 2024. However, that figure varies depending on your laser power and table size, you may spend more or less than that.

Laser etching is faster than laser engraving, but the latter is more durable. This is because reaching a material's melting point, like laser etching, requires less energy than vaporizing it, like laser engraving. The depth of the mark is the main difference between these processes.

Hydrogen Chloride and Vinyl Chloride (mostly found in PVC and other man made materials) are hazardous to the life of your laser system. Engraving and cutting these materials can cause irreversible damage to your machine, so determining the components of your cutting and engraving materials is extremely important.