The Ultimate Guide to Photo Laser Engraving

From Picture to Perfect Engraving

Step 1: Choosing the Ideal Photo

Key Success Factors

  • Image Quality: High contrast & clear subject are critical.
  • Resolution (DPI): Determines engraving fineness.
  • Dot Distance: Affects detail, time & graininess.
  • Dithering (Jarvis/Floyd-Steinberg): Converts grayscale to laser-digestible dots.

Step 2: Photo Preprocessing

  • Convert to Grayscale:

    Ensures accurate contrast and prevents distortion.

  • Adjust Contrast/Brightness:

    Enhance the difference between light and dark.

  • Crop & Compose:

    Crop the right size to highlight the focal point of the image.

  • Simplify Background:

    Eliminate distractions to enhance subject expression.

Step 3: Image Processing in Laser Software

Adjust Image Properties:

  • Size & Position: Manually input or drag to adjust the dimensions and placement of the image. Ensure "Lock Aspect Ratio" is enabled to prevent distortion.
  • Aspect Ratio Handling: If the image is stretched, the software will automatically compensate to maintain proportions.

Brightness/Contrast/Gamma Adjustment:

  • Recommended Settings: Increase contrast by 10-20% compared to screen display for better engraving clarity.
  • Real-Time Preview: Toggle the "Live Preview" option to see adjustments before finalizing.
  • Gamma Correction: Slightly reduce gamma (0.8-0.9) to enhance mid-tone details on dark materials.

Dither Settings:

Algorithm Selection:

  • Floyd-Steinberg: Smooth gradients, ideal for photos.
  • Jarvis: Sharp details, suited for high-precision engravings.
  • Stucki: Balanced speed and quality, good for large areas.

Dot Distance:

  • Default: 0.1mm (balanced detail/speed).
  • Fine Detail: 0.05mm (slower but sharper).

Image Inversion:

  • Effect Preview: Inverted images will appear as light-colored engravings on dark materials (e.g., black anodized aluminum).
  • Post-Inversion Adjustments: May require slight brightness increase (+5%) to compensate for material absorption.

Step 4: Configuring Core Laser Parameters

  • Speed

    Affects engraving time and dot density (Lower speed = deeper/larger dots, potentially increasing contrast).

  • Power

    Affects engraving depth and color darkness (Higher power = deeper/darker dots).

  • Frequency (PPI)

    Determines engraving smoothness on specific materials like acrylic (Lower frequencies often used for photo engraving).

  • Focal Length

    Ensures the laser beam is precisely focused on the material surface.

Highly recommended:

  • Conduct multiple tests with different speed/power settings on scrap material of the same type.
  • Use the Test Grid function or manually create a test area.
  • Evaluate the results: Check contrast, detail retention, engraving depth, and presence of burn marks.
  • Fine-tune parameters based on the test results.

Step 5: Engraving & Finishing

Pro tips for you:

Surface Cleaning

Thoroughly clean the material surface before engraving.
Apply Protective Film

Prevents smoke residue on light materials (remove after engraving).
Consider Material Grain

For wood, align engraving direction with the wood grain.
Post-Processing

Clean engraved surface gently; apply stain (e.g., wood oil) or protective coating to enhance and preserve results.
Common Materials

Anodized aluminum, Wood, Acrylic, Laminate, Painted metal, Stone, Leather.