Laser engraving by material
Every material burns differently. A design that looks crisp on maple can fill in on pine, frost unevenly on glass or barely mark bare steel. We prepare custom laser engraving files for the material you are working on, so line weight, detail and contrast suit the surface from the start.
Laser engraving designs for wood are not the same as files for glass, slate, acrylic or metal. We prepare each laser engraving file for the material it will burn on, so contrast, detail and line weight look right on the finished piece.
| Price | Quoted per design — send your artwork for a price |
| Materials | Wood, plywood, acrylic, glass, slate, stone, metal, leather, ceramic, tile, cardstock |
| File formats | SVG, DXF, PNG, PDF and AI |
| Proof | You approve a proof before the final files are sent |
| Delivery | By email — nothing to ship |
How each material changes the file
| Material | What happens under the laser | How we prepare the file |
|---|---|---|
| Wood and plywood | Burns dark; grain and resin vary the tone | Bolder lines on soft woods, finer detail allowed on maple and cherry |
| Acrylic (cast) | Engraves frosted white | Often reverse-engraved from the back, so the art is mirrored |
| Glass | Surface fractures to frosted white | Avoid large solid fills; line art and inverted images read best |
| Slate | Engraves light grey on dark | High-contrast and dithered photos work very well |
| Stainless steel and metal | Fiber laser marks; CO2 needs a marking spray | Fine detail holds; fills set as tight hatch lines |
| Leather and leatherette | Darkens and slightly embosses | Avoid hairline detail; real leather scorches if overworked |
| Stone and marble | Engraves light, slightly textured | Larger detail; grayscale or dithered photos |
| Ceramic and tile | Needs a coating or marking compound | Solid shapes and clean lines |
| Cardstock and paper | Burns and cuts easily | Delicate detail, very low power |
Wood engraving files
Wood is the most common engraving material, from cutting boards and charcuterie boards to coasters, ornaments, plaques and wall art. We set designs to suit the wood you name: lighter woods such as maple, birch and basswood show the most contrast, while walnut and cherry give a softer, darker result. For cutting boards, we keep engraving away from the cutting surface edges and size the art to the board.
Acrylic engraving files
Cast acrylic engraves to a clean frosted white, extruded acrylic less evenly. Signs and light-up displays are usually engraved on the back face, so we mirror the artwork for you. Tell us if your acrylic sign will be edge-lit.
Glass engraving and etching files
Glass engraving is really controlled chipping of the surface. Large solid areas can look patchy, so we favour outlines, line art and dithered fills. For wine glasses, tumblers and glass cans, we size the design to the curve of the item.
Metal engraving and marking files
Stainless steel tumblers, metal tags, knives and tools are usually marked with a fiber laser, or with a CO2 laser and a marking spray. Metal holds very fine detail, so it is the best material for small text and intricate logos.
Slate and stone engraving files
Slate coasters and memorial plaques show high contrast, making them ideal for photos and pet portraits. Stone engraves lighter and rougher, so we use slightly larger detail.
Leather engraving files
Leather patches, wallets and journal covers engrave with a warm, darkened finish. Genuine leather scorches if over-detailed, so we simplify fine lines. Leatherette patches engrave very cleanly — we make leather patches too.
Laser engraving for wood
Laser engraving designs for wood need to allow for the grain and the colour of the timber. Light woods such as maple and birch plywood hold fine detail and photo engraving well. Dark or resin-rich woods need bolder lines and more contrast. We make wood engraving SVG and wood engraving PNG files for cutting boards, charcuterie boards, wooden coasters, plaques, wooden signs and wood ornaments, sized to the blank you use.
Laser engraving for slate, stone and glass
Slate engraving PNG files work best with strong contrast and a simple background, because slate engraves light on dark. Stone engraving artwork and memorial plaque engraving designs are set up the same way. Glass engraving designs and glass etching SVGs avoid large solid fills, which frost unevenly, and use line work and stippling instead. Glass can engraving SVGs and water bottle engraving files are sized for rotary engraving.
Laser engraving for acrylic, metal and leather
Acrylic engraving files are usually mirrored for back engraving so the design reads through the sheet. Metal engraving artwork and stainless steel engraving designs are set up for fiber laser marking or marking spray on a diode or CO2 laser. Leather engraving files and leatherette engraving SVGs use moderate fills so the surface does not scorch. Ceramic engraving artwork and tile engraving designs are prepared for coated tiles and paint-fill methods.
Common questions
Can one file work on several materials?
Often, yes — a clean vector logo will engrave on most surfaces. Photos and shaded artwork are the exception and usually need a version per material.
Do you give laser settings?
Settings depend on your exact machine and wattage, so we do not promise numbers. We prepare the file so standard material settings work, and recommend a test on scrap first.
Can you make tumbler engraving files?
Yes. Tell us the tumbler size and whether you use a rotary, and we size the wrap to the circumference.
Can one engraving file be used on several materials?
Often, but results improve when the file is tuned to the material. We can supply one design in versions for wood, slate and acrylic.
Which material is easiest for beginners?
Light plywood and leatherette are the most forgiving. Slate also gives high contrast with simple settings.
Get a free quote
Send us your artwork, the material, the finished size and your laser. Choose “Vector art” as the product and mention the material, and we will come back with a price. If you cannot attach artwork here, email it to hello@sewwhatembroiderydesigns.com.