Engraving on Marble with Your ULS Laser – Optimum Techniques

E n g r a v i n g o n Marble with Your ULS Laser – Optimum Techniques
E n g r a v i n g o n Marble with Your ULS Laser – Optimum Techniques
Step 1: Acquire the image to be engraved
• Scan or import a sharp, detailed, well-lighted image. Avoid
using dark images, night shots and low contrast images.
• If the image is color, convert it to grayscale to get a better
idea of its suitability for engraving.
• For best results always work with high resolution images
(250 dpi or greater).
Step 2: Enhance the image as necessary
• Using photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop™
or Corel PHOTO-PAINT®, enhance the image as needed.
• In this particular instance we brightened the grill of the car
in the foreground and brightened the undercarriage and
driver’s side in the background using Photoshop.
• Enhancing the image is not strictly necessary but will improve the quality of the engraving.
• Once you’re satisfied with the enhanced image, save it at
250 dpi at the actual size you are going to engrave it.
Step 3: Process the image with PhotoGraV
• PhotoGraV is a powerful image processing program that
prepares images for laser engraving.
• Open your image in PhotoGraV, select “Load Params”
then select “Auto Process” to run ULS’s recommended
PhotoGraV parameter.*
• PhotoGraV’s “Preview” function can simulate more than
20 different substrates including wood, acrylic, brass and
anodized aluminum to help you visualize what the image
will look like after it is engraved.
• Save the PhotoGraV processed image at 250 dpi and 8 bit
grayscale at the exact size you intend to engrave it. Do not
resize or rotate the image once it has been processed.
*Note: Universal Laser Systems has developed a set of PhotoGraV engraving parameters that provide
excellent results on a wide variety of materials. These parameters have been optimized specifically for ULS
laser systems. Please feel free to contact us to get a recommended PhotoGraV parameter for the material
you plan to engrave.
Step 4: Engrave the image
• Import the image into CorelDRAW to send the image to
the engraver (you cannot print directly from PhotoGraV.)
• Invert an image when engraving it on marble; marble turns
white when engraved instead of getting darker like many
other materials.
• PhotoGraV processed images should be engraved using
the highest resolution lens (smallest spot size) that you
have available. If you own a High Power Density Focusing
Optics (HPDFO)™ lens, always use it when engraving.
• Engrave the image on marble using a 25 to 30-watt laser
system with the preferred HPDFO lens or 1.5 lens at the
following settings:
• 30-50 percent power.
• 50-70 percent speed.
• 250 ppi (pulses per inch) image density 5
for HPDFO lens.
• 250 ppi (pulses per inch) image density 3
with 1.5 lens.
Finished sample shown engraved on 3x5 inch marble.
Step 5: Using paint to improve the engraving
• Obtain a tube of white oil-based paint (available at most
craft stores) and rub a small amount into the engraved
image. Buff off the excess paint with an absorbent cloth.
This will brighten up the engraving considerably.
• Be sure to use pure oil-based paint, which is permanent;
acrylic paints are not suitable.
• Compare the paint-treated engraving with the untreated
shown in Step #4. Note the difference in detail between
the images.
• This process also works on granite.
Step 6: Using color fill to further improve the engraving
• Oil-based paints are available in a wide variety of colors
that can be used to enhance an engraving.
• Paint carefully as it is almost impossible to remove oilbased paint from an engraved surface once applied!
• Oil-based paint pens are available in a wide range of colors and applicator sizes.
Additional Suggestions
• Try a ThinLam™ inlay of mother of pearl using the HPDFO lens. On true soft marble HPDFO will give you
enough depth for a perfect inlay.
• Engrave the image on soft marble using a 50-watt laser system with the HPDFO lens at the following
settings:
• 100 percent power.
• 10 percent speed.
• 1,000 ppi (pulses per inch) image density 6 for HPDFO lens.
• 0.005 inch depth.
The same technique will also work with most common inverted materials such as microsurfaced engraving
plastic, glass (which also works with the color fill technique for brightening or multiple colors), anodized aluminum, laserable painted metals, granite and acrylic. Some samples shown.