Top 10 Laser Engraving Pro Tips - Acrylic

[@happycraftingco]

Number 8 was an especially timely tip for me as I’m preparing to reach out to photographers. Thank you!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Great!!! glad you got some value!

[@rawralgreat]

One of the best channels and tips for Laser engraving things, kudos man and thanks a bunch!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Wow, thanks!

[@cpace123]

I've been laser engraving / cutting since 1998. But there is always something new you can learn. My PRO tip. "Don't Think you know it all, even if you have been doing it for years or decades." :)

[@LaserEngraving911]

Well put!

[@andrewdutoit5806]

I would like to add a tip. I recently purchased a 10w diode laser and struggled with the acrylic engraving. Ive since found removing the peel on both sides of the clear acrylic and painting one side with rustoleum peel off paint and then placing the acrylic on a piece of 5mm glass sheet solves the issue of burn back on the rear of the acrylic and the peel off paint makes the cleaning of the piece a walk in the park. Engraving at 100% power now

[@LaserEngraving911]

nice work around!

[@alidadebruyn36]

This is what I worked out as well and has worked

[@woodrowilson74]

Regarding tip #5, The absolute best trick I have found by far to eliminate hazing on the surface is to apply a regular old purple elmers glue stick. They’re not as cheap as dish soap, but they’re not as messy and you can usually find them at thrift stores. Plus they’re water soluble and rinse right off in the sink and even faster if the water is warm. But whether soap or glue stick, be sure to hit all your engraved inside edges with some kind of compressed air to get any buildup out before rinsing off the film you applied or that powered acrylic get stuck in there when it gets wet and is a nightmare to try and dig it out. And re: the honeycomb flashing that can damage the underside of your material, you don’t need to mask it at all if you elevate it even just the slightest amount. You can literally use the thinnest of scrap you have laying around and tuck a few pieces underneath around the edges to give it a little lift and that problem will never bother your material again.. My name is Jon and I am a maker space tech in Sacramento and have been working with co2 lasers almost daily now for almost 8 years. Good luck!

[@LaserEngraving911]

all good tips thanks!

[@dunid182]

❤Many thanks from Spain! I'm starting with laser cutting and engraving and you've helped me a lot!!! ❤

[@LaserEngraving911]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching!!

[@SarahNenniDaher]

Great tips, thank you!!! I always use a respirator with acrylic, even through I’m venting out with an inline fan.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MS-uz4ix]

I work with cast acrylic exclusively. This video is FANTASTIC! So much good info.Thank you!!! Weld-On 3 works well too.

[@LaserEngraving911]

You are so welcome!

[@jharper74]

I got a huge amount of value out of this video. Thank you for your time.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!!

[@wow2006dk]

Visited Houston Acrylics Houston location today and bought several panels. They have a very large selection and were very helpful.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Nice, wish I lived close enough to just pop in!

[@GMx_1]

I like the way you delivered the info - very useful indeed... Cheers!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@coreybrown8404]

I have been dabbling with diode lasers for over a year and just purchased a CO2 that is parked in my garage and cannot wait to test drive acrylics. Your videos are beyond helpful. The production value is exceptional and it is obvious that you have invested a ton of time and energy to produce these videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the discount codes will be useful as well! All the best for your future projects and keep the videos rolling you are providing an incredible service to the laser community! 👍💯

[@LaserEngraving911]

Wow thank you for all that, so glad to hear your getting so much value!

[@BadBeastBarbecue]

Great video.... would like to see a video example of using the dish soap as a way to prevent hazing.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks! You mean and expanded video on this topic?, I did cover it in the video.

[@BeniYuuhi]

Starting out on my Laser cut journey. Thank you for these tips. Amazing!!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Have fun! and thanks for stopping by!

[@albertdaniels692]

Great tips, especially the Weld On 4. I get all my acrylic at Houston Acrylic, great people, and selection!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Right on!

[@MrBoobankee]

Looking to get my first laser cutter and these are amazing tips! I am a one man show and appreciate videos like these. Thanks!

[@LaserEngraving911]

super cool glad I could help!

[@DougGreenAustin]

one more great video and LOT of info, Thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad you liked it!

[@ronwas11]

awesome video! Great info on all those different plastics..woow.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks for watching!

[@katjones5187]

This is one of the most informative videos that I have watched! Thanks so much!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it helped!

[@1haggler]

Great vid as always. I have been using Rowmark for a few years, game changer for Co2. Thanks for the link on the Exotics👍

[@LaserEngraving911]

No problem 👍 Im stoked to make some new projects with Houstons color line, they have re-inspired me to make more cool acrylic stuff!

[@RichardBasso-w5r]

As a "newbie" and let's just say a senior one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@LaserEngraving911]

anytime glad I could help!

[@indygirl9494]

Wow. Great video. Your listing of the products you use and where to get them is appreciated.

[@EricPaul007]

Super tips!! The hazing really annoyed me, so I took the time for weeding the masking tape. Now I will definitely try your dish soap tip.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment and watch :)

[@havocproltd]

Went out with the gang from HA Saturday night at LBX! Great folks and yeah, great products and service!!

[@oclaser]

Great Episod Mike! Laser Max silver and gold are truly huge money maker indeed. Red cap with white core also have a big use in Solar signage or any "Warning Labels"

[@LaserEngraving911]

ooooo nice bonus tip! That is a another great idea,, I might have to start carrying that color combo too :) folks listen to this guy! 🐱‍👤

[@harrywind1870]

@@LaserEngraving911 @oclaser can I use those materials on a diode laser, too or can they only be worked on with a co2?

[@747dom]

Great video. I liked the tip about the brushed steel and brushed brass name plates. I've used the Rowmark gold in 0.8mm for trophy plates, but never thought of using the thicker stuff for other things until this video. Thanks.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks for sharing! and your support!

[@dian3145]

What a great set of tips! I have a marble slab that I lay the thin pieces on that have warped…works most of the time..sometimes need to hit it with a hair dryer.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks for the support and for the great tip!

[@elisetx213]

Absolutely awesome! Great info for a beginner wanting to use acrylics. Keep up the great work and videos.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank you! Will do!

[@davidelder5399]

Great advice, as always 👍 will most certainly be putting these valuable tips to use

[@LaserEngraving911]

What's up Dave! Dude thank for watching as always!! Glad you dig it!

[@kyle25rs]

Great information! I already knew quite a bit of this, but excited to hear about the Weld on 4 for gluing my acrylic... a lot of pieces we have done, we use 3m to stick them together, which seems to work well, but that's always indoor only signs. Also, I am in Canada so if anyone from Canada see's this, a good Canadian source for the metallic plastics is Trotec Canada... There is also a Canadian source for some very fancy acrylics similar to Houston Acrylic, called Lynde Creek Acrylic. Cheers!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank you! I think you will find that weld on 4 is pretty cool stuff once you get the hang of it, it very strong!

[@kasperchristensen8416]

Super informative video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Cheers from Denmark 🙂

[@LaserEngraving911]

your welcome!!

[@JessiesCustomCreations]

You are the best channel I have found for helpful information. Thank you so much.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks appreciate that!!

[@pederjon]

Takk!

[@philliphurd]

Thanks!

[@LaserEngraving911]

No problem! and thank you I didn't even know you could do that!

[@Webnicity]

Great advice! Will definitely be checking out your list of resources.

[@LaserEngraving911]

nice! Thx

[@rkybby1]

Wow, fantastic video with a TON of useful information. New to the hobby of lasers, learned so much here. Really appreciate the time you put into this. Keep up the great work! Subscribed.

[@LaserEngraving911]

@@rkybby1 Thank You!!

[@rhondagurley3466]

Thank you for doing these videos. I am new to laser business and they help me a lot.

[@LaserEngraving911]

@@rhondagurley3466 Your very welcome!

[@azizqassim3883]

Thank you very much. That was a great educational video. Is there an educational book on doing maintenance and repair for laser machines?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Not yet... Me thinks good idea Though! Ill have to look into that! The guys over @lasereverything love to geek out on the internals of lasers, might want to check them out!

[@azizqassim3883]

@@LaserEngraving911 Thanks for your reply. I have to say that everyone who owns a lasercutting machine has a serious problem finding an honest technician.. My laser machine has been broken for three weeks now and none of these technicians would answer his phone or stick to the time they promise to come.. So, I have started learning everything about these machines.. and you, Sir, are very much appreciated for all the info you are offering.. thank you for your time, effort, dedication and being a real gentleman. Aziz

[@raheebwa]

You got yourself a new subscriber. All the way from Uganda. Good stuff.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thats Awesome Thank you!!

[@MileyonDisney]

Thanks for the great tips!

[@LaserEngraving911]

You bet! glad you got some value!

[@rprmlr772]

Such great tips! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@LaserEngraving911]

You are so welcome!

[@sanchezcr]

Awesome video, thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge. Greetings from Costa Rica

[@LaserEngraving911]

hey Costa Rica, thanks for popping over and taking the time to leave a comment

[@myhoneyshandmade1077]

Great tips. Thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

You bet!

[@jerrodmcdaniel2043]

Great video thank you for the information

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@laurapenny1107]

That’s for the tips , I’m new to answering but o love it and want to learn more. 1. What the best size to cut

[@LaserEngraving911]

That is going to depend on your laser bed size, and power of your laser, do you mean thickness?

[@namegoeshere6923]

Love the color!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Me too!

[@Luna-fn1wx]

Thank you for all your tips

[@LaserEngraving911]

You are so welcome! glad you got some value!!

[@rinacooper3116]

Awesome video!!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TrevorMatthews]

Really valuable advice. Love the channel! I spent a couple days of disappointment learning on extruded clear acrylic when I get my d1pro. It was one of the things I was really hoping to do. I think I will try some of the coloured cast acrylic now that I’ve watched this though thank you.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Awesome! Glad you go some value, def check out some of the great colors at Houston Acrylic! houstonacrylic.com/discount/LASERENGRAVING911

[@zovi8514]

you're ALWAYS an awesome teacher, so thankful

[@michaelmilton4427]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

You are welcome!

[@brianosullivan4475]

Another fantastic video. So much great information. Thank you

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks!

[@boskopavela440]

Thank you for sharing this

[@LaserEngraving911]

No problem! Happy to help!

[@RefillableBicLighters]

For really light scratches I use Meguiar’s PlastX. Works beautifully on acrylic, delrin, anything plastic.

[@KeithEtheredge87]

Thanks Michael! Great video and very timely too. I have a custom layered acrylic trophy project coming up and I have chosen to use oracal adhesive to stick some pieces of the acrylic together. I have WeldOn4, but I haven't practiced with it enough to make clean welds like you show. Would you advise against using oracal to stick layers of acrylic together?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! If you want to use 3M double sided tap on the back, or oracle to stick the parts together, I know that totally works, and you should be just fine, alot of folks do this, but like I said in the video Weld On #4 is the industry standard because it literally welds the acrylic together, creating a super strong lifetime bond. Just get yourself some scrap acrylic and start practicing with the weld on, once you get the hang of it, you will see how easy it is :)

[@radiant4682]

Love love this video. THANK YOU. You helped me make a decision on why I want a CO2

[@LaserEngraving911]

great!

[@matop2000]

Excellent video, very interesting, thank you!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@attilah]

Thanks it was very informative content! I'll use the Houstonacrylic discount on the last day, 04/31 for sure :-)

[@LaserEngraving911]

🤣

[@ambootique]

Great video! Very informative.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank You!

[@ambootique]

@@LaserEngraving911 I’m brand new to the awesome world of laser (GF Pro). I just made my first cut with acrylic and sadly made the mistake of using e6000. My cut was all of 2”w x 1”h. Im curious, how well does Weld On 4 work on small pieces such as the dot for a lower case “i”? I hope that makes sense. Should I use something different on something so small?

[@tammycarter1358]

Very informative. Thank you for this video.

[@jtom8888]

Thank you for the faux metal acrylic recommendation!

[@LaserEngraving911]

You bet!!

[@tobie2]

Great info! Thank you!

[@LaserEngraving911]

your welcome!!!

[@lioconnor24]

Omg this was so helpful, thank you so much!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@davidmorrison6787]

You just got a new subscriber..many thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Puyax01]

Out of all the Houston Acrylic options witch ones works well with the Blue light lasers (Xtool ) . Thanks

[@LaserEngraving911]

Well, I would stick to dark colors and shy away from the light colors like white, clear, pastel, light yellow, and blue, check out this guys video on cutting colors and engraving colors. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKQZaqFh95jiNk

[@Puyax01]

@@LaserEngraving911 thanks for the replies. They have a section for Diode Laser tested acrylic

[@patriotic_salt]

Great tips learned a lot !

[@LaserEngraving911]

Awesome!

[@creatingcraftstoday]

What size acrylic you use from row mark 1/32 or 1/8

[@LaserEngraving911]

I almost exclusively order 1/16 inch

[@creatingcraftstoday]

@@LaserEngraving911 Thanks

[@zjdoliver]

Great video! I'm ready to begin my acrylic project, so the timing is perfect! Question... once the project is complete, how do you protect the acrylic surface to help prevent scratches?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Before shipping the product out I always wrap it in plastic wrap, but other than that,, just tell the customer to not scratch it 🤣

[@dishatechno7793]

Thanks bro very useful information

[@LaserEngraving911]

Anytime glad it helped!

[@justjackiee]

Great tips

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank You!

[@grafxbynando_vlogs]

Came to learn how to prevent hazing stayed to watch the whole video great tips and advice 👏

[@LaserEngraving911]

Nice,, glad you dig it!

[@pamalafloyd5388]

Thanks for the tips

[@LaserEngraving911]

No problem!

[@nyrsq911]

Great info, Thank you :)

[@HayallerinPeşinden]

Methilen Cloride is the best for welding

[@LaserEngraving911]

Sounds scary! That's probably what Weld on 4 is, they just rebranded it. 🤣🤣

[@yosiefgebreyesus9501]

Wonderful vidio thanks ❤❤❤

[@LaserEngraving911]

So nice of you

[@Brianp1982]

Great video. On the brushed gold and silver acrylic do you do the NoMark coating!? Have you tried the brushed aluminum? A Co2 laser can easily cut through the top coating?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Yes I have, and whether you get the no mark coating or not it cuts great.

[@Brianp1982]

I was unsure what the NoMark coating was. Worth it?

[@keithsmith1642]

Hi there, which thickness of the Rowmark do you usually use for signs, 1/16 or 1/8? Thank you very much for being willing to teach so much about laser engraving!

[@LaserEngraving911]

I use 1/16th mostly with the 3M adhesive backing option, almost always! 👍

[@tromska1]

About the Johnson plastic plus silver with black. Is a C02 laser necessary to cut and engrave? I just recently purchased a 40 watt diode and I'm curious. I checked your link and I didn't see anything descriptive on the type of laser required. I've cut dark acrylic with another diode I have. Thank you for your time,I love your videos as well!!!😊😊😊

[@LaserEngraving911]

you can totally work with the silver and the gold from Johnson plastic plus the Romark laser max that I mentioned with your day of Laser it’ll work great with it

[@debrasonksen4711]

Question, where did you get the jig to place the glass balls and rings on to hold them for engraving

[@LaserEngraving911]

what part of the video are you referring to? time stamp?

[@Dominick-k6w]

Great video, what setting do you use for Brushed Silver/Black ? Also, did you cut it with a laser? Would a XTool D1 10w work? Thx!

[@LaserEngraving911]

You can work with that material using your 10watt diode laser yet, as far as material setting I used a Co2 laser so my setting wont translate to your 10watt didoe laser settings sorry.

[@GiovanniBottaMuteWinter]

This is a great video! I’ve been using the Rowmark two ply acrylic sheets with a 40W Epilog CO2 laser cutter. I’m struggling with getting sharp lines when engraving and marking relatively small size font. Am I trying to get too much detail in there? Any tips? The stuff you show in this video looks really nice and sharp.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Glad it was helpful! if you are getting rounded edges or blurred engraving you might want to check your focus, and also your scan gap setting, your laser might need to be tuned up to get crisper edges. what is your model and are you using light burn?

[@bryankia]

This is amazing. I am about to pull the trigger on the f1 ultra. It has two lasers a diode and fiber. Will it cut clear acrylics? Again thank you for your knowledge.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hi There Thanks!! The F1 ultra is a very very nice unit however it will not cut clear acrylic sadly, as it is a diode laser. If you want a laser that can cut all the types of acyclic I would recommend you get the xTool P2 Co2 laser shrsl.com/4iif3

[@AcceleratedGFX]

I have the Boss Laser HP5598 CO2 table for cutting large jobs or high volume production runs on things like Keychains... My cast acrylic comes with a clear liner on both sides. After removing the liners, I'd like to know a trick to keep acrylic from hazing without having to wash dishsoap off of hundreds of keychain blanks as we also second surface print on them with a flatbed printer. Thanks for the tip!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hey There, your best bet without using the dishsoap is to mask both sides of the acrylic with wide format masking paper. I know that is not ideal, and creates extra clean up, and work but it really is the only way to avoided hazing and get ultra clean cuts, wish I had another solution for you.

[@AcceleratedGFX]

​@@LaserEngraving911 thanks for the help and actually responding. Give us a follow, lots of cool stuff ahead!

[@AcceleratedGFX]

Tried masking both sides of clear acrylic. It works 💪

[@mikiauto73]

Hello, thank you for your great work! Can I ask if you would recommend xtool smoke purifier machine to use with a xtool P2 co2 laser, specially wile using plexiglass? Thank you!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hi There, I would recommend you not cut plexiglass, that is not acrylic. and regarding the fume extractor from xtool, I honestly cannot say if its good or not as I have no experience with it. But I can say it better be really good, because acrylic vapor is super smelly, and most cheap fume extractors cannot mitigate that smell. For good fume extractors I would look at BOFA and or FiltraBox!

[@K.Hill-qg1cz]

Will the Xtool D1 (diode) cut the johnson brushed acrylic?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Yes, 100%

[@pfiltz]

Awesome Vid.

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thanks for the visit

[@thesplinteredfinger]

Do you recommend elevating acrylic or wood off the honeycomb to keep the backside clear?

[@LaserEngraving911]

That is for sure an option that you can try. I have some risers I have used for that in the past, but I have found over the years that masking is cleaner. The risers I use are actually these spikes amzn.to/3voeH8L

[@RobMor1234]

great video i have a co2 80 watt and have cut and engrave Acrytic but i like a long ways from being good at it but i try. my question can i engrave signs with romark on a fiber laser

[@LaserEngraving911]

You can do it! I have successfully laser engraved the Romark laser max series using my fiber, however you cannot cut laser max with your fiber, just engraving, and you will be limited to the size of engraving you can do, depending on your fiber laser lens size. The cool thing about the fiber is your can get cool surface colors, like white, gray on the laser max that you cannot get with the co2. With the right fiber laser settings.

[@lukemc5800]

A question on warping thin sheets. Acrylic should soften at 160 C (320 F), in high school we shaped acrylic with heat gun and a form. With care (avoid focusing the heat on one point for too long) you should be able to heat any warped pieces and press between flat surface until cool. The Vevor heat press you used earlier is also capable of softening acrylic. Other than prevention being superior to remedy are there any pitfalls to softening and reforming that you have encountered?

[@LaserEngraving911]

your theory sounds good, I have never tried this, as I've never had a part warp so bad it needed this treatment.

[@josey5267]

Great tips. I’m just starting out. Thank you. You mentioned the LBX show. What is the name of that?

[@LaserEngraving911]

It was the LightBurn Expo, they will have another this year I’m sure

[@josey5267]

@@LaserEngraving911 thank you.

[@PrewittHomestead]

In your opinion, will the f1 ultra do a good job on acrylic?

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hi There, The F1 Ultra can engrave and cut some thin acrylic yes, but you wont be able to cut Clear acrylic or light colored acrylic.. if you want to be able to work with all the acrylic types, you going to want to get the xTool P2 Co2 Laser #1 xTool P2 Co2 Laser: shrsl.com/4iif3

[@JonneytheKidd]

That weldon 4 glue bond, can it work with resin and 3d printed parts?

[@LaserEngraving911]

great question! not sure.

[@tituswilkinson4911]

I work at rowmark!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Awesome! Lets Talk! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tituswilkinson4911]

@@LaserEngraving911 if you need anything feel free to reach out!

[@rubydinauto732]

did you use 2 thickness? 1.6mm for the decals and 3mm for the cards or key holder types?

[@LaserEngraving911]

I always use 1/16th but sometime 1/8

[@antkn33]

Is there any kind of protective clear coat that can be applied to the finished product?

[@LaserEngraving911]

I dont see why not! I've never had a need to do this with acrylic, but if I did I would pick something that bonds all to plastic and is UV stable.

[@gustavodiazbandres]

hey!!! Please, Can you teach me how to make that krispy kreme ad you showed? please!!

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hey! I just released this short on how to make the Krispy Kreme sign! Thanks for your support! kzbin.infoCXoo0RmiOOo?feature=share

[@gustavodiazbandres]

@@LaserEngraving911 super!!! thx so much!!

[@martinotalotti8986]

Oh well, now I understand while I had never reach good results with extruded pmma.. thanks. With rowmark laser max do you defocus and use lower air pressure when engraving? How do you avoid fumes to go back in just engraved areas and ruin the nice black inside it?

[@LaserEngraving911]

For laser max , I just keep it normal air pressure and regular focus. Its easy to work with. Clean up engraving with Methanol. Works great.

[@martinotalotti8986]

@LaserEngraving911 thanks for reply. Will give methanol a try. I have an out of topic question. I have I request for color engraving on glass, have you ever tried those spray like cermark for blue marking? Normally I have found that on glass I use a 4'' lenses with wet paper on it. But with spray I am worried to broke it without masking

[@LaserEngraving911]

@@martinotalotti8986 no haven't tired those sprays in color only the black. With those sprays, you need to use thicker glass, thin glass is s a no go.

[@martinotalotti8986]

@LaserEngraving911 yes I think so. Had tried long time ago with blue spray and diode 455nm on glass and actually works, but don't think it's suitable for making hundreds pieces. Thanks for reply, keep following you

[@christinacamarata3327]

Great video! Gained a subscriber 😊

[@LaserEngraving911]

Thank you!!

[@evanpennock1301]

I'm curious, I have some of the brushed rowmark and I've been able to get it etched really well, however when cutting it, if I have my co2 laser set high enough to cut through it scorches really bad. Any tips?

[@asimayasmin1]

Hi does Xtool F1 cut acrylic I can not find your recommended list of cutters please can you help

[@LaserEngraving911]

Hi There, if you want to cut all kinds of acrylic I highly recommend you get yourself a Co2 laser. by xTool shrsl.com/4qpmc P2S Co2 Laser, while the F1 Ultra can cut thin dark colored acrylic is cannot cut all the colors, and cannot cut clear or translucent acrylic. They have a black Friday deal going on right now as well.