Inside Our Falcon 20W Laser Engraving Process: Materials & Ideas
From the Prompt to Publish SA studio • Clunes, Victoria
Laser engraving adds a physical finish to artwork, personal messages and business branding. Unlike a printed label, an engraved mark becomes part of the surface. Our current engraving setup centres on a Falcon 20W diode laser, a useful tool for selected timber products, suitable prepared materials and personalised decorative pieces.
We have been testing real products, filming the laser in action and learning how design details behave on different surfaces. The most useful lesson is that material suitability should always be checked before promising a result.
What we can create with the current laser
Potential projects include engraved wooden plaques, bamboo gifts, coasters, small signs, pet tags made from suitable materials, business-branded pieces and simple custom-cut shapes made from compatible thin materials.
The design process starts with a name, logo, vector graphic or artwork. We assess line weight, engraving area, contrast and whether the object can sit safely and level within the machine.
Materials and the importance of testing
Timber and bamboo are popular because a diode laser can create visible contrast through surface marking. Different grain, coatings and finishes affect the result. Slate and some compatible leather or acrylic products can also work, but the exact material and colour matter.
For metal, our 20W diode laser is more limited: coated or specially prepared surfaces can sometimes be marked, while deep engraving into bare metal is not a service we promise. It is also not a general-purpose metal-cutting machine.
Preparing logos and small details
A simple, high-contrast vector file usually engraves more reliably than a complex photograph with tiny gradients. For logos, we check the smallest text, fine lines and the final product dimensions. Artwork designed for a large screen may require simplification when engraved on a narrow tag or plaque.
We also consider spacing and orientation. A good layout should be readable at its real-world size, not only at 300% zoom on a computer.
A responsible workflow
We confirm the substrate, test settings on sample material where possible, use appropriate ventilation and do not process unknown plastics. Materials such as PVC and vinyl must not be placed in the laser because they can produce dangerous gases.
After engraving, the object may need cleaning, sanding, sealing or other finishing. That final stage is part of producing something worthy of being given as a gift or used in a business.
The best way to request an engraving
Send us the object dimensions, preferred material, artwork or wording, quantity and deadline. If you already own an item to be engraved, tell us what it is made from and whether it has a coating. Not all customer-supplied objects are suitable, so we will assess before accepting the job.
Our aim is to produce carefully designed, practical engraved pieces rather than advertise capabilities the current equipment does not have.
Can your Falcon 20W engrave stainless steel?
Some specially treated or coated metal surfaces may be markable after testing. Deep, consistent bare-stainless engraving is not guaranteed with this equipment.
Can you cut acrylic with a 20W laser?
Some dark or suitable acrylic may be workable, but clear and many light-coloured acrylics are unsuitable for a blue diode laser. Thickness and exact formulation must be checked.
See engraving and custom gift enquiries at https://www.prompttopublishsa.com.au/services.
Explore more and discuss your project
Have a project brief, a question about materials or an idea you would like reviewed? We can discuss practical options, expected steps and a suitable starting point.
Comments