How Does Laser Engraving Work?

Way back when, engraving was the method used to start the whole process of decorating as one stone was used to mark another stone. The world's oldest engraving actually dates back 500,000 years ago to a doodle!

Fast forward to 3000 BC, the Sumerian and the Hittite elite began engraving intricate seals in stones and precious gems. Much like today, engraving in the ancient world was used to decorate and design.

In the 1400s the process of engraving became integral to recreating documents and artwork as pieces of wood were carved, the raised portions were coated in paint or ink and pressed into paper or cloth to duplicate an image.

(The Printing Press was essentially a whole bunch of small engravings arranged into sentences and pressed onto pages. Huzzah for Gutenberg!)

Add in a couple of major technological leaps and the invention of the computer...and engraving moved back into the realm of decoration from its major stint as the source of printing.

So what does engraving look like in our modern world? Let's talk about lasers...

Aren't lasers just something from Star Wars?

If you're like me, whenever someone says the word "laser", my first thought is either of the lightsabers in Star Wars or James Bond's Q-built gadget watch.

While those films make lasers look like really cool and dangerous weapons (and some lasers can definitely be dangerous, so be careful), they're more often than not just helpful tools performing a bunch of simple, harmless tasks.

You don't have to be 007 to have a laser; we use them every day!

They're especially good at popping balloons, but you shouldn't try the things you see in this video at home.

Of particular interest to us, however, is a laser's capacity to cut, etch, engrave, or mark various materials—that is to say, its ability to personalize and decorate.

But how do they work?

How do lasers work?

The word "laser" is actually an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation."

Verrrrry simplified...light is concentrated over and over again to create a powerful beam. There are three major factors to how this works: Concentration, Energy, and Direction.

Concentration

1. Light moves in waves—up and down, so to speak.

2. A normal light has a bunch of different, varying wave lengths (the distance between the peaks of troughs of each wave) which cross over each other.

3. Now, focus all of the wavelengths so that they don't cross over each other, but instead line up perfectly with each other.

4. The concentration of light waves cuts out all the extra waves that cross over each other, and it's what makes that cool, mesmerizing beam of (usually) red light. (You can see the whole beam if you crank up a smoke machine; otherwise, it's just that little red dot that cats just NEED to catch.)

5. This also means that laser light can become extremely powerful and can be focused on a singular point.

Energy

Chris Woodford has a great explanation:

You've probably noticed that if you move your hands back and forth in the bathtub you can make quite strong waves. If you keep moving your hands in step with the waves you make, the waves get bigger and bigger. Imagine doing this a few million times in the open ocean. Before long, you'd have mountainous waves towering over your head! A laser does something similar with light waves. It starts off with weak light and keeps adding more and more energy so the light waves become ever more concentrated.

Give a power source to move those single wave lengths perfectly in time with one another and bam! you have added energy to your concentrated light beam.

Direction

The last major part of laser light is that it is directional. Unlike a flashlight which diffuses white light evenly across a space, laser light creates a tight beam that can travel much farther distances. Breaking out the fancy terms: it is highly collimated (travels parallel instead of zigzagging).

For a more in depth look at the science of lasers, check out this amazing, in-depth video.

Laser light can be invisible to the human eye; a lot of common uses for laser light require light to be invisible instead of burningly bright in order to minimize the risk of what doctors (probably) call "eyeball meltage" or simply "arson."

What are lasers used for?

The unique properties of laser light allow them to perform a whole array of diverse tasks. The FDA has a big list of uses (and cautions) for lasers:

• reading disks (Blu-Ray, DVDs, CDs)

• measuring distances and speed

• reading barcodes

• scanning documents in a printer

• getting yelled at by your mom for shining it into your brother's eyes (maybe not on the FDA list)

• performing complex medical procedures

• cutting precious gems

You name it, someone is probably either using a laser to do something or trying to figure out how you can.

You can even make holograms with lasers:

Why are lasers dangerous?

The wavelengths of laser light can be focused on a single point, and if enough energy is added, they can burn almost any material.

The intensity of the light can also damage your eyes if you look directly into it, so using protective glasses is often a must when handling high-powered lasers.

One last safety consideration is the sound made when a laser beam hits an object. Powerful laser beams often emit a high pitched sounds when coming in contact it particularly hard materials such as chrome. Take precautious to wear protective ear coverings when using a laser in this way.

What stops a laser beam?

The easiest and best way is to remove the energy source by either unplugging it, taking out batteries, or switching off the power.

If, for instance, a bad guy has a laser gun pointed at you, grab the nearest mirror to deflect the beam of light away from you. Preferably back onto the mustachioed, dastardly villain.

You can also simply block the laser with another object. If its a high-powered laser, you will want a hard, heavy metal around to do this.

What is a laser engraver?

Laser engraving machines are specifically designed for cutting, etching, marking, and engraving hard materials, automating the process through the use of computer software.

You probably see items engraved on a laser engraver all the time without realizing it. Take a look at just about any plaque on a trophy or the signs on the office doors in your workplace. These are more than likely the product of a laser engraving machine.

There are a bunch of different kinds of laser engraving machines like the Dremel LC40 and the RMI UF-20, and a lot of them have different strengths and weaknesses as far the shape and material of the thing you want engraved.

How do laser engraving machines work?

Now, let's talk about it.

Laser engravers are specifically designed to focus laser light for the purpose of marking wood, metal, glass, or some other material with a preselected engraving—often images or script.

The machine uses lasers to produce concentrated heat that removes the top layer of material, cutting it from an item to create the desired design.

Using powerful lasers and mirrors, the machine reflects a laser beam onto a surface of an object.

The light is focused at the right distance and set to the right power level in order to leave a mark. Too little power and it will not end up cutting into the material, too much and you can burn through the object.

Some lasers (like the GCC Spirit LS machine) are mounted on a track and make passes over the desired engraving area similar to how your ink printer prints on paper. The pro of this kind of laser is you can engrave larger areas.

Others lasers (like the RMI UF-20) are stationary and focus on a smaller surface area. The pro of this laser type is it tends to engrave faster at higher powers.

What is the engraving process on the machines?

Laser engraving machines can have a number of different processes for engraving, but for the most part:

1. The engraving design is keyed into a computer software like CorelDraw.

2. The object to be engraved is placed within the laser tray.

3. The laser engraving machine is then properly focused on the surface of the object.

4. The power of the laser beam is set depending on the solidity of the material (whether wood, steel, gold, etc.).

5. The laser operator starts the selected engraving process on the computer.

6. The machine activates the laser and passes its over the desired marking area on the surface of the object.

7. The engraving is removed from the machine once it is completed, and engraving residue (soot, metal shards, etc.) is removed from the surface of the object.

8. Voila!

How long does it take to Laser Engrave?

The easy answer: Laser engraving takes about 3-5 minutes.

The real answer:

Laser Engraving can take anywhere from 5 seconds to multiple hours. Quite a few factors need to be taken into account such as the material being engraved, the size of the design, and the power of the laser to name a few.

Ultimately, if you are having an item laser engraved, it is always best to check with the company doing the engraving to see what their timeline is for engraving.

Though the actual process of engraving may be relatively quick, there may be multiple, longer steps involved in preparing the engraving such as rendering the design into the computer software, prepping the material being engraved, and removing any unwanted residue after the engraving process.

More on Gift Pens

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Do you need engraving for your Dallas area business? If so, White Dog Engraving can assist you with all of your engraving needs! To learn more about the services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (972) 848-7790 or click here.

DFW Engraving Service

Need a DFW engraving service? If so, contact White Dog Engraving today by calling us at (972) 848-7790 or click here to connect with us online.

We specialize in full service engraving and can offer you the engraving services that you need for any occasion.

Our company also offers fast service and excellent support! Contact us today, you will be glad that you did!

Seven Of Our Favorite Watches To Engrave

The early aughts saw the start of an internet-powered renaissance of watch enthusiasm and, with it, certain elements of watch design became available to more cost-sensitive enthusiasts. More complicated case shapes, increasingly elaborate finishing, and even display case backs moved down-market and onto the wrist of a wider array of collectors.

The rise of display casebacks presented something of a double-edged sword. It was a fun time to be brand new to watches (as I was). And to see these movements in the light of day felt so special, but as the display caseback trend continues to this day and I've come to feel that something has been lost. We’ve sacrificed one of the only points of pure personalization in watches – a caseback with room for an engraving.

If I say “Drive Carefully Me,” “M. Brando,” or “F*** ’em if they can’t take a joke,” I wager most of you can see a unique watch in your mind, despite the fact that none of these watches were unique creations. If you go to a watch museum and find a display of a watch worn by a notable historical figure, I bet they’ll either have the caseback engraving on direct display or will use a small mirror to highlight its presence. In the words (and custom-made T-shirt) of Cole Pennington, Always Read The Caseback.

A little teaser for a future story...

I still love a great engraving and, for watches you plan to keep or are gifting to mark special moments, engravings should be the norm. With that in mind, here are a handful of watches that can (and should) be engraved. Just don’t forget to double-check your spelling.

Rolex and Tudor

This is an obvious choice, so I won’t belabor the point, but Rolex and Tudor continue to be a shining example for the pro-engraving crowd as *most* of their watches continue to offer old-school sterile casebacks that are perfect for engraving.

Few watches take an engraving better than an oyster case and, as both brands continue to create precious and very in-demand models, from a Sub to a DJ or a Black Bay 58, the crown and the shield know that many buyers want to make their watch entirely their own and provide plenty of space on the caseback.

Nomos Club Campus

Likely my favorite model from NOMOS’ entire line-up, the quirky, affordable, nicely made, and endlessly versatile Club Campus is a watch literally created to be engraved. Available in 37, 38, and 39mm models, with either NOMOS’ long-standing Alpha caliber ($1,650) or the brand’s in-house Neomatic (from $2,780), these models have a caseback with minimal text and plenty of room for an engraving.

Available in a variety of colors, the Cali-dialed Club Campus is a grad-spec German-made watch that blends both dressy and sporty design elements and, with 20mm lugs, you can up the personal touch by swapping out the strap.

Cartier Tank

Easily worthy of the term “iconic,” the Tank now comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and, though the engravable area on the caseback has shrunk since Jackie O rocked one with a considerable and specific engraving, Cartier still offers a good bit of space to add your own note.

Be it a steel Solo, a colorful Must, or even the full gold on a bracelet (the Panzer VIII Maus of the line), the timelessness and persistence of the Tank design feels like an excellent canvas for a few choice words, a date, or maybe even a little line sketch.

Timex Waterbury Date

Looking for something with a price point that is a bit more down to earth? Timex offers a range of watches you can customize, including engraving, directly on their website.

Consider the handsome 40mm Waterbury Date ($130) for which you can pick from a selection of dials, case finishes, straps, bracelets, and even designate your engraving. All in one stop. If you’ve got a grad gift living rent-free on your to-do list, this might fit the bill. Pick the right words, the engraving will certainly add value to an already attractive offering.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

Want to give that engraving top billing on one of the most distinctive and long-standing designs in the world of luxury watches? With a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, you don’t even have to take the watch off your wrist to enjoy the engraving, just flip the script on this 1930s design and wear those precious words proudly on your wrist.

More on Hodinkee.com

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Can you correct engraving?

Small engraving mistakes can be engraved over with a slightly larger design, and shallow mistakes can often be sanded or polished out. Other engraving mistakes can be corrected by filling in with wood filler, casting resin, or cement, depending on the material. Even professional engravers occasionally make mistakes.

Contact White Dog Engraving

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The Etiquette of Engraving

LONDON — When Jessica McCormack was getting married, the jewelry designer took inspiration from a Georgian-era ring exhibited at the British Museum and had her husband’s ring engraved with the message: “Two Hands One Heart, Till Death Us Part.”

An inscription like that one can be the perfect way to personalize a piece of jewelry and give an extra romantic flourish. “An engraved message adds a layer of emotion and also helps cement provenance for the owner,” Ms. McCormack said. “Whether it is romantic, nostalgic, funny or even a little dark, it should tell a story.”

The custom of adding words, symbols and images to jewelry has existed since the earliest civilizations. But inscribing jewelry with personal messages became prominent in 12th-century France and England with the rise of the posy ring. The name derives from “poesy,” a kind of short-form poetry that often uses rhythmic or rhyming verse.

The popularity of these simple gold bands inscribed with sentiments of faith, commemoration or love took off in the 17th and 18th centuries, as a kind of forerunner to modern wedding bands.

David Warren, senior international director of jewelry at Christie’s, chose a 17th-century posy ring as his own wedding band. “Finding one that was the right size, and suitable message, was not easy,” he said. “The messages can be utterly charming, but many are outdated. For example, I found one that was a perfect fit, but its inscription was ‘Obedient Wife, Happy Life’ — utterly unsuitable.”

More on nytimes.com

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For more information about the custom engraving services that we can offer you, contact us today at (972) 848-7790 or click here to connect with us online.

Should You Engrave Your Apple Devices?

From innovative hardware to boutique stores, Apple is famous for creating personalized customer experiences. In fact, Apple has even given us a unique option to make sure our devices are truly one of a kind through custom engraving.

When buying some devices on the official Apple online store, Apple gives you the option to engrave your device at checkout for free. But, should you take this option?

How Does Apple Engraving Work?

Apple devices are engraved using high-powered laser engravers in the manufacturing facilities, which is why this option is only available for the online Apple store. Here are all the devices that Apple currently offers free engraving for:

• Apple Pencil (2nd generation)

• iPad (all models)

• iPod touch

• AirPods

If you wonder why iPhones and MacBooks are not on this list, there are two possible reasons: device material and demand.

Some Apple devices are made from glass, such as the iPhone 12, which is harder to engrave than plastic or metal. Similarly, other devices are likely to have far lower engraving demand, like the iMac, or may simply be too inconvenient to efficiently engrave on a large scale.

What Can You Engrave on Your Apple Device?

Apple lets you engrave a combination of numbers, letters, or symbols. For AirPods lovers, Apple even allows users to engrave cases with emojis.

There are 30 emojis available for engraving. These include a fist bump, robot, alien, unicorn, all the zodiac animals, and even the poop emoji. In comparison to regular characters, emojis are engraved in a larger font.

The number of characters you can engrave varies for each Apple device. For iPads, Apple lets users add up to 34 characters per line. The second-generation Apple Pencils can only be engraved with up to 15 characters.

With these options, it’s no wonder that so many people have decided to engrave their Apple devices. But, why exactly do they do it?

The Pros of Engraving Your Apple Device

There is a reason why Apple continues to offer engraving options for free. Here are some of the biggest pros to engraving your Apple devices.

Personalization

In an age of mass production, personalization is a way for you to be a little more unique. With thousands of iPads on the market, many Apple lovers enjoy standing out from their peers.

Whether it’s writing a nickname or a funny quote, showing a little personality with an engraving is a great way to differentiate yourself.

Gifting

Sometimes, you need to remind people why they should thankful to have you around. Gifting an engraved Apple device is one way to make sure that they always remember you.

For many generous gift givers, remarkable moments can only be made better with a customized engraving.

Avoid Mixing Up Devices

When it comes to Apple-loving households or offices, mix-ups for small things like AirPods or Apple Pencils happen a lot. In fact, if you haven't customized your cases, there’s a chance that you may not be able to tell which device is yours.

More on makeuseof.com

Contact White Dog Engraving

For more information about the custom engraving services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (972) 848-7790 or click here to connect with us online.

Don’t Settle For A Generic Gift, Personalize It With Engraving!

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Engraving Near Me – Contact White Dog Engraving At (972) 848-7790

Are you searching for engraving near me services? If so, we can help! Contact White Dog Engraving today by calling us at (972) 848-7790 or connect with us online.

We specialize in full service engraving for the DFW and surrounding areas.

Engraving is a smart solution for any business because engraved items have a high pass along rate and continued to be used months after a person receives an engraved item with the business name or information on it.

Engraving Near Me Services

If you’ve been searching for the perfect ad specialty gift, our custom engraving near me service will enable you to have the customized items with your business name to hand to your clients.

We can also assist you with graving gifts too! There’s literally an endless variety of ways that you can use engraving to grow your business or enrich the lives of others with a personalized gift.

Besides engraving, we can also offer you custom graphic services. Out designer has over 20 years of custom graphic design experience and this makes out company more than an engraving near me company.

Two Locations To Serve You

With offices in Mabank and the Dallas area, we have the ability to serve all of your engraving needs, especially rush items that you need to promote your business, weddings or special events in the DFW area.

Make 2021 your best year ever! With our engraving services you can count on us to offer you the value that you need to market your business and thrive in this economy.

Learn more about us by calling (972) 848-7790 or connect with us online by clicking here!

Dallas Texas Engraving – Call us At 972-848-7790

Are you searching for Dallas Texas Engraving? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

At White Dog Engraving, we specialize in engraving Dallas and can assist you with all of your engraving needs!

Engraving is the best way to personalize an item for any occasion regardless if it’s a gift or an ad specialty item for a business.

Most people who are searching for engraving near me are interested in engraving because they know that a personally engraved item shows more thought, care and attention than a regular store bought item.

Your Source For Dallas Texas Engraving

It doesn’t matter if you need jewelry engraving Dallas or A1 engraving, make this year that you choose to have those gifts or business items engraved.

Engraved, ad specialty items have a very high pass along rate because people use items like pens, cups, mugs or keychains on a daily basis so it makes sense to also have those items engraved because they will see your business name every day.

When you choose us to be your custom laser engravers Dallas TX, you can count on us to offer you expert engraving service that will make your gift or ad specialty stand out and make your clients, family members or friends use those items when they think of you.

About Us

With offices in both Dallas and Mabank, Texas, White Dog Engraving was created with the idea of providing high-quality laser engraved gifts with thoughtful workmanship. We provide superior customer service with timely turnaround for our customers. We are currently utilizing industry leading laser equipment that allows us to be able to provide a superior product if you’re purchasing in either bulk, or an individual request, the result is always the same. Perfected personalization.

Engraving Makes It Personal

If you’ve been searching for laser engraving near me, know that engraving is the best choice for those business or personal gifts that you may be thinking about investing in for your family members or friends.

Don’t just invest in generic gifts or ad specialty items! Make those items personal with engraving! Contact us today at (972) 848-7790 or click here to connect with us online.