Laser: Engraving on Wood with High Contrast
Getting Deep, Dark Engravings on Wood Not all wood is created equal. Basswood is great for details, while Pine is prone to sappy flare-ups. 1. Masking Apply paper masking tape to the wood. This prevents 'smoke halos' from settling on the surface around the engraving. 2. Defocusing To get a darker 'char' rather than a deep 'trench', move your laser 1-2mm out of focus. This widens the beam and burns the fibers more effectively. 3. Speed vs. Power Run a 'Material Test' grid. Slow speed and high power usually result in the darkest marks, but can cause excessive charring. 4. Cleanup Peel off the mask. If there is soot, use a magic eraser or a light pass with 400-grit sandpaper to brighten the wood.
Related Guides
- How to Create Laser-Cut Living Hinges in Wood and Acrylic
- Longer Ray5 20W Wood Cutting and Engraving Settings: Plywood, Pine, MDF, Basswood, and Hardwoods
- Longer Ray5 20W — Material Settings Reference
- How to Engrave Glass, Slate, and Stone with a Laser Using Marking Compounds
- How to Finish Wood: Oil, Shellac, Polyurethane, and Spray Techniques
- How to Use LaserBurn: Complete Guide to Longer's Laser Software
- How to Use LaserGRBL: Free Laser Control Software for GRBL Engravers
- How to Use LightBurn for Production: Complete Workflow from Design to Cut
Loading_