Laser engravers are among the busiest professionals around, especially when they're in the market for unique gifts. From International Women's Day to World Heart Day, the number of holidays seems to grow every year.
What is Custom Laser Engraving?
Laser engraving, cutting and marking have been used in industrial settings for decades. In recent years, however, smaller, more affordable laser cutters have been invented, opening the door for small business owners and keen entrepreneurs. In some cases, you use a laser engraver cutter to cut the material all the way through, but it's more commonly used to add design, finishing touches and personalization to gifts, trophies and keepsakes.
Laser technology is widely used in optical storage, military and defense, medical equipment, heat treatment, automobile and aerospace and other fields. You also don't need to be a fine arts graduate to use these machines. They work with 2D images created using a computer and digitally fed into the machine. Personalized laser designs are easy to create and the personalized engraver is simple to use.
You can use several different types of engravings to personalize the perfect gift for your clients:
Laser Engraving: In this case, the surface of the material is laser cut to form a cavity according to the design chosen by the customer. You can feel and see the laser engraving, which gives the gift a pleasant tactile element and an appealing aesthetic. The maximum depth of engraving is usually about 0.02 inches - any deeper may cause excessive burning or warping.
Laser marking: In laser marking, a low-power laser beam interacts with a special coating on the surface of a material to create a surface design. In this case, the surface of the material remains smooth, but the design is clearly visible.
Laser Etching: Laser etching is a delicate process where the laser generates only enough heat to create surface marks on the surface of the chosen material. The etched area melts and expands, creating a raised finish with enhanced contrast. Laser etching does not penetrate more than 0.001 inch into the material, making it ideal for processing plated metals, polymers and ceramics.
You can add custom designs to individual products, or set up a atomstack laser cutter for high-volume production. With a little practice, you'll be able to add graphics, names, logos, quotes, and everything in between to any material that's compatible with your laser engraver.
Materials suitable for custom engraving
You can only make great gifts with the right materials. Certain substrates work better than others for etching, marking, and engraving, so be sure to check your manufacturer's manual before embarking on a task. You will need to adjust the laser's settings depending on the material you are using, but there are many options:
Stone such as slate, marble, granite, and granite can all be laser engraved.
Glass has many uses, from monogrammed glassware to hygienic cutting boards.
Plastic can be used for name tags and key chains, as well as phone cases, acrylic business cards and signs.
Metal often needs to be coated with a substance that allows you to etch the surface, allowing you to create personalized spoons, stainless steel cocktail glasses and business cards.
You can laser etch many different types of wood to create custom picture frames, wine boxes, gift boxes, ornaments and baby blocks.
Leather works well with a laser cutter, but it takes practice to create personalized passport holders, wallets, dog collars, bracelets, and book covers.
Jewelry is certainly one of the most popular personalization items.
You can even engrave photos onto glass, stone, metal, plastic, and wood.
Corporate custom gifts
As a laser engraving professional, promotional products for businesses will be a core area of your business. Companies give gifts to their corporate clients, whether they are long-term collaborators or potential partners. By adding a personal touch, brands can stand out from their competitors. However, customization in the corporate world is not just for customers. Branded free gifts for employees are a surefire way to inspire loyalty while dressing your employees like walking advertisements!
Long-term and loyal customers, as well as your top spenders, will also appreciate a free gift. If they have a custom monogram or relevant quote, they're more likely to show it off to loved ones. Here are some great ideas for corporate gifts:
tumbler
key ring
pen
car air freshener
fridge magnet
briefcase
Birthday present
Everyone has a birthday. So custom birthday gifts means your market is literally the whole world - provided you sell your items online. Customization can be the difference between your gift disappearing at the bottom of the pile and standing proudly in prime spot in the recipient's bedroom. Some ideas for personalized birthday gifts include:
Jewelry Box
toy car
Custom Gift Sets
flowerpot
makeup box
wallet
underwear
Anniversary gift
PERSONALIZED LASER DESIGN - Heart Engraved on Wood When the anniversary comes, it's better to prepare and choose a high-quality gift. There is nothing worse than receiving a beautiful custom gift from your wife and all you get is a coffee mug.
New baby gift
Bringing a newborn into the world is one of the most exciting times in a person's life. Also one of the most expensive! That's why the best new baby gifts are practical and often wearable. Let's take a look at some great custom baby gift ideas:
bib
sippy cup
high chair cover
bottle
pacifier
sock
Toy
Mother's day gift
To most people, a mom is a very special person. She takes care of you, loves you, gives you advice, helps you in your time of need, and probably loves you more than anyone else in the world. Help customers make their mom's special day extra special by offering personalized gifts like:
Prosecco with her name on it
Acrylic Word Search
vase
coaster
craft box
memory tank
handbag
Father's day gift
Personalized laser designs for Father's Day are also special for Dad, and they're usually not too hard to come by. Most people tend to buy similar gifts for their dads, so include the following options in your Christmas Eve marketing materials:
barbecue tools
pocket knife
cocktail set
sock
golf
stationary
Polar Camel Drinkware
Enter Laser Cutting Today
As you can see from the list above, the possibilities for custom laser cut gifts are nearly endless. Combine that with the fact that customization is one of the hottest trends in the market right now, and it's easy to see why buying a laser cutter is an excellent investment.