Laser cutting is an intricate and unique way of creating tactile items. Part of the uniqueness comes from the different techniques and methods that can be incorporated into the production process. This post looks to outline some of the processes that can be used to create a unique design.

Masking

Masking involves protecting areas of an engraving, so as to not induce a smoking effect on the engraving. Laser engraving causes smoke to form. This smoke can then stain the edges of the engraved surface. So to avoid this, masking tape is used. This creates a cleaner finish over all.

Adjusting Pre-sets

A laser cutter should have some suggested settings for cutting or engraving different materials and different thicknesses. You should also be able to load these settings into your computer or laser and save them as pre-sets. Adjusting the pre-sets allows you to form a palette of different cutting techniques, allowing you to switch between them easily.