While wood is, by far, the most popular material used with laser engravers it is by no means the only option. Many people want to engrave on a glass. To do this, the first step is to find the right engraver. One way to do this is by taking the time to read their reviews and find the one that best suits the needs and specifications of the job or project. Once the right laser cutter or engraver is found, the next step is to learn what to do and not to do when engraving on glass.
Considerations for Engraving on Glass
Usually, flat glass is going to have a consistent toughness. This is one of the reasons that engraved areas will not have darker or lighter shades. However, with curved glass, such as glasses and bottles, there will soft spots, which are going to cause frosting in some locations of the surface when they are being engraved.
It is possible to reduce this by using a medium speed and higher power during the engraving process. It is also possible to use laser engraving on full bottles of wine. The key is to make sure it is done properly. The goal is to ensure that the laser does not have an impact on the bottle’s contents. Since just a small part of the bottle will be engraved on, it is unlikely that the bottle will break.
There are some tips that can be used to help create a frosted and smooth finish when engraving anything glass. These tips are found below.
Tips to Get Glass Engraving Right
When someone is ready to engrave on glass, there are a few tips to use. One is to use a paper towel to apply a thin layer of dishwashing soap over the glass surface. Then, soak a piece of paper towel or a piece of newspaper in water and wring it out to remove the extra water. The next step is to put the paper towel on the surface and smooth it out to remove wrinkles.
Put the glass on the engraving table and use the laser to slice through the paper towel before it dries completely. Take the glass off the table, throw out the remaining paper towel, and then clean the surface of the glass. Sometimes, you may need to use a slightly abrasive pad for polishing the glass.
It is important to use caution when engraving leaded crystal. This is because the crystal is going to expand at different rates, which may cause breakage or cracking of the crystal. If someone wants to avoid this, they should use a lower power setting. However, just to safe, be sure to have a spare available just in case the crystal breaks.
When it comes to engraving on glass, there is no question that it can be tricky. However, with the tips and techniques mentioned here, it is possible to get the desired results from the engraving process that is used, regardless of the desired outcome for the project.
