Stargazer Kitten - High-Contrast IR Engraving on Black Aluminum | Cute Cat Card Using xTool F2 (5W IR)

• Clean the aluminum card using isopropyl alcohol.
• Let it fully dry.
• Avoid touching the engraving surface afterward.

Surface oil can reduce brightness of engraved areas.

• Open xTool Creative Space.
• Import your high-resolution cat illustration.
• Ensure the image is at least 300 DPI for best results.

For metal engraving, high resolution is critical.

Because this is black anodized aluminum:

• The laser removes black coating to reveal silver.
• The laser does NOT add black.

Therefore:

👉 You must invert the image.

This ensures:

• White areas become engraved
• Black areas remain untouched

Without inversion, the result will look reversed and incorrect.

In XCS image settings:

• Increase Contrast significantly.
• Reduce mid-tones.
• Deepen blacks.

This helps:

• Preserve background darkness
• Make fur and whiskers pop
• Prevent muddy gray results

High contrast = sharper engraving on metal.

Next:

• Increase Sharpness slider.
• Emphasize edge definition.

This step enhances:

• Fur texture
• Whiskers
• Bamboo edges
• Fine leaf details

Without sharpness adjustment, small lines can blur on metal.

Use the “Framing” feature in XCS.

• Confirm placement.
• Run engraving.
• Do not move the card until finished.

After engraving:

• Wipe gently with alcohol.
• Remove residue.
• Inspect under angled light.

Under warm light, silver details appear brighter.