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Laser Lessons: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Engraving Journey
- J
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
When I first fired up my laser engraver, I thought I was about to become the Picasso of personalized gifts. 🎨✨ I imagined sleek engraved glassware, flawless wooden plaques, and intricate designs on metal that would make people say, “Whoa, how did you DO that?”
Fast forward months—and let’s just say, I’ve learned a LOT.
If you’re thinking about diving into the world of laser engraving (or maybe you just want to know what really goes on behind the scenes at Perso by J), here are some hard-earned lessons I wish someone had told me before I started.
⚡️ 1. Not All Materials Are Created Equal
I thought I could engrave on anything—wood, glass, metal, you name it. Turns out, different materials require different techniques, settings, and (sometimes) a whole lot of patience.
Lesson Learned:
Wood? Easy peasy. But certain types burn too fast or leave uneven marks.
Glass? Looks amazing… IF you prep it properly (hello, masking spray and dish soap tricks).
Metal? Don’t even get me started. If it’s coated or anodized, you’re golden. If not? You’ll need special marking sprays or a fiber laser to get that perfect look.
💡 Pro Tip: Test, test, and test again. Don’t assume the same settings will work on different surfaces. DO NOT START A PROJECT WITH THE EXACT NUMBER OF ITEMS YOU NEED TO ENGRAVE. YOU WILL BE TESTING ITEMS!
🎨 2. DPI, Speed, and Power Are Everything
I thought laser engraving was as simple as “hit go and watch the magic happen.” Nope. The real magic happens when you figure out the perfect balance of DPI (dots per inch), speed, and power.
Lesson Learned:
High DPI = More detail, but slower. Perfect for intricate designs.
Low DPI = Faster, but less detail. Great for bold, simple patterns.
Too much power? You’ll scorch your material. Too little? You’ll be staring at a barely-there engraving wondering what went wrong.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a cheat sheet of settings for different materials—you’ll thank yourself later.
🛑 3. Masking Is Your Best Friend (But Not All Tape Works!)
If you think you can skip masking on certain materials, let me save you from a world of regret. Masking prevents burn marks and keeps the engraved area looking clean, but I quickly learned that not all tapes play nicely with lasers.
Lesson Learned:
Blue painter’s tape? Works well for wood but not always ideal for glass.
Transfer tape? Better adhesion and cleaner results for detailed designs.
No masking? Get ready for unwanted scorch marks and headaches.
💡 Pro Tip: Test a small section before committing to a full piece. Trust me.
🤯 4. Maintenance Matters More Than You Think
Laser engravers are like toddlers—if you don’t give them regular attention, they’ll cause chaos. I didn’t realize how quickly mirrors and lenses could get dirty, which meant my engravings started looking dull.
Lesson Learned:
Clean your mirrors and lenses often. A dirty lens reduces laser power and ruins your designs.
Align your laser regularly to keep those engravings crisp and clean.
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule maintenance like it’s a self-care day for your machine.
💸 5. Pricing Is Harder Than It Looks
When I started, I was way too focused on undercutting competitors. I thought, “If I price lower, I’ll get more customers.” But that strategy just left me overworked and underpaid.
Lesson Learned:
Price your work based on time, materials, and skill—not just to ‘beat’ other businesses.
Factor in design time, testing, and setup. Custom work takes time, and your prices should reflect that.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to raise your prices once you perfect your craft. People will pay for quality!
🔥 6. Social Media is Your Best (and Worst) Friend
I knew I needed to promote my work, but wow—social media is a full-time job in itself. Figuring out what kind of content grabs attention (and actually converts followers into customers) took a lot of trial and error.
Lesson Learned:
Videos of the engraving process? Instant crowd-pleasers.
Before-and-after shots? Even better.
Posts that highlight unique gift ideas? Major engagement boosters.
💡 Pro Tip: Use trending sounds and hashtags on TikTok and Instagram to boost visibility. Don’t just post—engage with your audience.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Engraving Ain’t for the Weak
Starting Perso by J has been one wild ride—full of trial, error, and surprising wins. But every mistake taught me something valuable, and those lessons are what make my custom engraving business what it is today.
If you’re thinking about starting your own engraving journey—or just curious about what happens behind the scenes—I hope these lessons save you a little time (and a lot of frustration).
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