Laser Engraved Image on Wood
Instruction
By "Clara's Trendy Designs". Image from Face Book. High quality image qualities really make the difference. High contrast, focused details on main subject with contrasting background that can be removed easily.
1. Down load image and upload to ImagR where background removed and dithered for wood. 2. Upload to XCS try different Bitmap modes for review choosing one liked the best; I usually choose Atkinson. 3. I like a little deeper cut and have found 50% power 150 mms works well for wood. 4. Following engraving rinse under water tap, dry and coat with clear finish.
In ImagR background removed. Crop and resize as needed. In resize enter appropriate DPI for your laser model. Mine is 282 DPI for 40 watt S1. Then click Apply in preset settings that show up on Advanced settings #2 called “Color Change”. (This fine tunes details) On Advanced settings #1 under Automatic Sharpen apply the preset setting 6.
In Material choose Marcin Bitmap mode for Wood. Preview result. (You can adjust to liking under Advanced settings #1 (I only made minor adjustment to Gamma setting to slightly darken dark areas of image. Download and upload to XCS.
Place material into laser, set laser distance to material, mark process area, check framing and process. Process time is 5 hours 3 minutes. Some like to set a higher speed with a higher power to shorten process times but I have found the slower engraving has more consistent results.
Note: I set the air assist at “Max” when I engrave wood. Reduces laser beam charring to almost none.
Rinse under tap water. As with other engravings this has delicate fine details that easily chip or break off. I learned not to brush with brush or rag to clean and not to use spryer tap water as these can chip these fine details.
I spray at least two coats of Matte clear coating to protect it. My method of spray coating is to spray entire piece from four directions standing at each side. This ensures coating applies to all crevices of the engraving. Let dry about an hour and repeat.
If the wood seems to absorb a lot, spray more coats as needed.
Note: I use Rust-Oleum Matte Finish Clear. I like the matte better than the shiny finish.