Decoration | Must Read Laser Engraving Quick Facts: • Depending on the material used, how deep the engraving is and how often it’s used or worn, laser engraving should last the lifetime of the product. • Hard materials, such as stone, wood, glass, acrylic and metal are the best media for laser engraving, but it can also be done on leather, plastic and paper. (Not all materials can be laser-engraved, so it’s important to check first.) • Produces high precision and intricate details. 3 LASER ENGRAVING Laser engraving is a modernized version of the age-old art of engraving, now performed by computerized machines that replace the need for hand work, making it faster and more economical. The laser is programmed for precision, and its point focuses on just a fraction of a millimeter, so it produces a clean finish every time. The lasers generate heat to pinpointed areas, which causes the surface material on these areas to vaporize. When the surface material vaporizes, deep cavities will appear. Today, laser engraving is the most common means of engraving at a commercial level. Popular promotional products that may be engraved or laser-engraved include trophies, awards, plaques, nameplates, glassware and wine bottles, as well as jewelry, such as rings, lockets, watches and necklaces. Engraving is not to be confused with etching, which is similar, but rather than producing deep grooves by removing material, etching melts the surface to create raised marks. Engraving is typically done on metals, while etching is usually used to customize glass, stones or crystal. Both are high-heat processes that produce permanent markings. Laser Engraving Is Ideal For: • Metal drinkware. • Awards, trophies, plaques and nameplates. • Personalized leather items, such as wallets, bags, purses and journals. • Jewelry, such as rings and wedding bands, necklaces, lockets, bracelets and watches. PPAI • JANUARY 2023 • 49
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