Lightburn tutorial : Create engraved tiles with the Norton white tile method

[@I-LOVE-EARTH]

I really enjoy watching your videos because of the easy to follow instructions you give.

[@AaronEngineering]

G’day Gil. Wow 🤩, that engraved image on the tile came out amazingly. Awesome tip buddy, thanks for sharing it with us mate 👍🍻

[@WmYoung-g7z]

Thanks for the effort you put into these for our benefit. I don't find much on laser engraving black ceramic tile. Hope maybe you could steer me somewhere. Thanks.

[@LaserLivestream]

Sure, I can do that. In fact, here is a video all about laser engraving black tiles. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIndk3aLgcZpfbM

[@NanoBurger]

I've tried this method and it worked quite well, even with my underpowered 2.5 watt laser. I'm not sure what chemical reaction is occurring but it does leave a semi-permanent image on the tile. On a whim, I put the tile in a kiln and ran it through a fast 05 cone glaze program and the tile came out perfectly clean. Whatever bonded to the tile glaze burned off in the kiln. So, really the design using this method is a tough design adhered to the tile glaze, not something that becomes integrated into the tile glaze.

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for the report. I dont have acess to a kiln but its great to hear how perminant the markings are. It definitly leaves a very tough engraving on a tile. Thank you 🙏 Do you mix your ceramic and laser work together? This could be a very cool way to make something unique!

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

Thanks, got a 2.5W on my 3018, nice to know it works. There is Isopropyl and TiO2 5 to 1 mix in spray bottle method that does not need paint and is easy to clean up with water.

[@wYatt121509]

Thanks Gil. Subbed, great info!

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for the feedback! Welcome aboard. Love to see what your making with your laser!

[@LT72884]

You can adjust the image size in light burn without using the rectangle guide. Just select your image and adjust the size in the upper left area like you dis the toolpath rectangle:)

[@mashman84]

new to lazers, got a couple of 3d printers. so i used white line marking paint as it drys in about 10 minutes, and its what was in the shed. seemed to work without waiting hours for the paint to dry

[@LaserLivestream]

Nice! Next time I have a chance I'll try out white line marking paint. Thans for the tip 👍

[@moniquesteijnen5692]

It would be useful to mention the type and power of the laser you are using. Settings have no value without knowing this.

[@mp6814]

Another great vid, as usual, thanks GIl! You may want to abolish any background music when you speak, and only turn it on when you don't.

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for the compliment and feedback. :)

[@sethcarson5212]

Im confused. Is it etching the tile or depositing an image on the surface? I keep seeing people refer to this as "etching" and assumed it was actually etching into the glaze, leaving a depression in the surface. Like the titanium dioxide was burning hot enough to vaporize the glaze underneath it. But then its referred to as "durable" and "well bonded" which sounds to me like its sitting on the surface of the tile and proud of the glaze rather than etched into it.

[@jrard92]

Great it's looks awesome. Is there any way to hang tiles on the wall?

[@LaserLivestream]

Thank you jarred. I have used both hooks and commander mounting strips to place finished tiles on the wall.

[@ianmoore525]

Top video. One question tho. I’m redoing my bathroom soon and want to engrave a heap of tiles for the wall. Is there some way to put a robust glaze over the whole thing after engraving ? I reckon the engraved tiles would be a bugger to clean mould out of the engraving, any abrasive cleaner that will get into the engraving would also degrade the engraving

[@LaserLivestream]

Thank you for the feedback, Ian. It's great to hear that the video helped you explore using your laser device. My suggestion would be to try creating a tile using NWT method and see how the surface reacts to something like sandpaper! The image is engraved into the surface, and there is little chance of the image being damaged, even if you use an abrasive cleaner. Still, if you want a protective coating to help with cleaning, you have several choices; ultimately, the option is yours. Love you to join our Facebook group and share your tiles and bathroom results 👍

[@ianmoore525]

👍🏻

[@howdydoody30204b]

Thanks for the video. As I understand it, the paint is just to transfer the laser's energy to the tile, so I'm wondering why white, which reflects most of the laser energy? Why not a darker color?

[@LaserLivestream]

Great question Jere! I believe one of the components in the paint creates the reaction and allows the energy to transfer efficiently into the tile. White is a colour that has this component in its chemical make-up. If you want to know more, check out Norton's Den of Lasers. They are masters at this process and can explain why this happens the way it does. The link to their Facebook group is in the description :)

[@howdydoody30204b]

@@LaserLivestream Thanks!

[@SamKGrove]

The typical pigment in white spray paint and other paints is titanium dioxide.

[@LaserLivestream]

@@SamKGrove Thank you for the info Sam 👍

[@chrisdemeglio6707]

Nice video but I am not sure if it's my monitor or the video itself because its very low resolution making it blurry. I am just getting into burning tiles and I am looking at different creators for tips. You seem to have it down rather well and your work is excellent. I have a 40w X-tool D1 pro and from what I've seen, 100% power and 1000mm/sec is working. I will obviously do a test burn to verify. Where are you getting your images that you are burning? I've seen images from Davinci but I'm totally turned off by them bc once you subscribe, you only have a limited amount of downloads and have to buy more. Looking for other places to get images from. I have subscribed and will def look at more of your work for tips and tricks. Appreciate your response.

[@just4jaime]

Can you help me with why your spray paint the tile? What does that do?

[@LHA100]

Great video. Can I use any white pint?

[@adrianwilliams-ug2lf]

can you use any type of white spray paint?

[@lpaltageek]

When I adjust image in Lightburn, choosing Grayscale, the images side by side look identical. BUT, when I preview the result is an all black image?

[@howdydoody30204b]

One of the things I struggle with, as a beginner, is how what you may have done with your laser may compare to what I should do with mine? I mean, knowing that someone used 1000 speed and 35% power doesn't seem very helpful unless their laser is the same as mine. And sometimes, the specs of the laser used are not even given. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@LaserLivestream]

Good point Jere. Moving forward I will lay out what machine I am using. Have you check out this tutorial that goes through how to work out the best engraving settings for your laser? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI

[@mrob5278]

Would this work for a photo that I have of my dog on my iPhone? Would I negative image a photo? Thanks for your help!

[@LaserLivestream]

Load your dog image inot Lightburn and then follow the steps in the tutorial. Should work very well. Let us know how it turns out 👍

[@johnpierce5735]

Can you use Primer? I'm asking because this would dry so much faster.

[@tiberiud1955]

what are the speed and power for 100w laser ? CO2 laser 100W . It looks like diode laser have better results then co2 laser .

[@LaserLivestream]

Each laser uses different settings. Feel free to ship your 100W CO2 laser to me and I will be able to send you your requested settings! Alternatively, you could use this tutorial to work out the best settings for your laser. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI Let me know how you go 👍

[@tiberiud1955]

@@LaserLivestream yes you are right each laser have different settings. I will watch the video . Thank you for your reply. I will upload a video and show you my results . My laser was DIY project based on further fabrication channel. I am very happy with the results .

[@Dory72355]

I use a beige, tan, or grey paint, I find it burns better. looks like crap during burn process, but WOW after cleaning

[@LaserLivestream]

Awesome tip. I’ll have to give those colours a go!

[@MrBarton1234]

Can I use a crealty 10 w laser? What laser do you use

[@LaserLivestream]

You can do this with any diode later. I use a Darkly Labs Emblaser 2 diode machine and I love it. Go check it out or see my review on the channel to learn more :)

[@robertarmstrong2323]

What if your tile doesn't have the coating..mine are just raw..no shiny coat

[@hardshellconstruct]

Hi what sort.of lazer are you using plx

[@dallaskouril9187]

Is there a easier way to clean up the tile after engraving? Cleaning up with a rag and Acetone is too slow? Thanks in Advance

[@LaserLivestream]

Hey Dallas, You can clean up your tiles any way you would like. Some people use water and soap to clean their tiles. I used acetone so that people could see the difference quickly. If you discover a faster way than using acetone to clean up your tiles, please let us know! :)

[@reneemitchell1650]

Where can I find the file for the Norton Method? Thanks

[@15Romeo19]

When I go through these exact same steps and hit preview on lightburn, it comes up with a black square? No image or anything... Any advice?

[@jp_sizzle]

I am using a epilog 40 watt CO2 laser, but can not get the grayscale image onto the tile. The laser either cuts the paint off that I applied, doesn’t cut anything, or cuts into the tile leaving no black image. What would you suggest to try changing if the paint isn’t Turning “black” after trying to engrave the tile.

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi Jonathan, Try turning down the laser power. If your laser is cutting the tile, then it's far too high. What kind of paint are you using?

[@timbowles3220]

When etching the image comes out reversed how can I correct it

[@robeccs]

Hi thank you for the tutorial. I really like that image you printed. Can you share file or please let me know the anime that image came from.:)🍻👍🏼

[@rogerd1685]

Are there any Fumes or Odors from these methods ? Do you need a lot of vents ??

[@LaserLivestream]

As you are using the laser to etch a tile, using a layer of spray paint to transfer the energy, you will have the paint being atomised and sent into the surrounding air as it is being processed. I would strongly suggest having an exhaust fan, filter, and/or housing for your laser if you plan to be doing a lot of engraving. Likewise, having your laser in a well-ventilated area will also help minimise the percentage of particles in the air. This is my advice when using a laser to engrave and cut any material, not just etching tiles.

[@mraileon]

Sorry for my silly question but obviously Sculpfun S9 90W laser engraver can not do this? :D or?

[@LaserLivestream]

Your laser can totally create these tiles. In fact, a diode laser like the Sculpfun should get better results over a CO2 laser. Give it a try and share your results in out facebook group :) facebook.com/groups/laserlivestream

[@pauldanneman7402]

Does it have to be a black and white photo?

[@LaserLivestream]

Not at all. But as the results will come out as different shades of black, Lightburn will convert a colour photo into a black and white photo which you can then choose how it represents it within a scale of grey. Some people have been able to get different colours into the final image, and I will be sharing some of those in future videos. Stay tuned!

[@ryanbeharry5636]

What kinda laser machine and how much watts later

[@ryanbeharry5636]

Laser*^

[@LaserLivestream]

I use a Embalser 2 laser cutter. Youc an check out there machines here : darklylabs.com/emblaser2/

[@ahmedalzoghbi860]

What is material type?

[@djmumz1591]

Hey buddy I have a question I have the ortur laser master 2 7 watt laser Are use the same paint do you use but the color wipes right off I don’t know the focus I guess in the 7 W laser or how to set it I wonder if you can give me some tips please

[@LaserLivestream]

I had the same thing happen to me and the results are in the video! I was able to get a great result by slowing down the lasers movement. Start by halving the speed and let me know how it goes 👍

[@GoGreenMan]

Great video. What speed/power setting do you think would work for a 130watt thunder co2 laser? 1000 speed is faster than anything I've run before.

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi Wing it, I don't have access to a Thunderlaser at this time (who knows, maybe I will have access soon ;) ) but I would start at 1000 mm per minute and see what result you get. Let me know how you go, love it if you could share your experiment :)

[@TalkingGIJoe]

looks like you learned a little lesson about acetone and thin plastics!

[@LaserLivestream]

Honestly thought I had grabbed a paper plate. Have used acetone to wield plastic together, so I was surprised then the plate melted. Do you use your laser to make GIJoe accessories?

[@TalkingGIJoe]

@@LaserLivestream I have just put mine together and plan on making several items including tiles! I have a couple of 3d printers and this aspect of the printing hobby dovetails nicely! Thanks for the vids! Keep up the good work!

[@shadowliving6858]

I’m wondering if I can use this method on my fiber laser.

[@LaserLivestream]

I don’t see why. I would love to try it out and experiment with it. Fibre lasers do great engraving so the theory is sound. Love a fiber laser to focus on techniques!

[@Terry_Genereaux]

This is very cool, what image format does it need to be for this?

[@LaserLivestream]

You can use any of the image formats that Lightburn accepts to bring in a photo or artwork!

[@darrelmiddleton]

Hello Gill, I am a new owner of on xtool d1 10 watt laser. First thank you for the tutorials and the live stream. Do you by chance have a “nortons” white tile burn test pattern that I can use? Just so I have a 1 to 1 comparisonA lot of videos that mentions a burn card/test burn for x material. In this case ceramic tile. I have burned a several test tile, but even setting my laser to say 100 pwr/ 1000mm/s my burns/etching looks like crap. They never match anywhere close to what I am watching. I truly have no doubt that I am to blame. It is like Lt Worf would probably feel if he had to fix the warp core……engine..,. Gil that was just for you. :)

[@LaserLivestream]

Nice one Darrel 👍 Love to see the results you're getting at this point. Have you joined the Facebook group? Link is in the video description. Once there, post your images and we can get your a engraving chart to run some tests. If you have not seen this tutorial before, you can use the same methodology to work out the settings for your laser. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI

[@DavidALovingMPF102]

Great video. My tile is burning right now. Trying your settings. May have to tweek things due to actual laser power. Is there a need to clean the laser lens? Does burned off paint stick to the lens? I quit Fakebook years ago. Happy now. Thanks from New Mexico, USA. Home of NETFLIX Studios.

[@LaserLivestream]

Hey David, great to hear your trying this project out! Particles can stick to the lens, and on my diode laser I clean it when i see power issue (not cutting through on a pass, ext). I know some people who clean it after every cut. It’s a personal choice but if can help. How did your tile come out?

[@DavidALovingMPF102]

@@LaserLivestream A little too light.

[@LaserLivestream]

​@@DavidALovingMPF102 Try doing a settings test to work out the best settings for your laser. You can follow a tutorial on how to do the test here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI

[@nickm324]

Was that a Diode laser, does the same technique work with a K40 CO2?

[@LaserLivestream]

I have a diode laser which produces a better result with the Norton method, but Ibelieve that you can get similar results with a CO2 laser. Love to see what you create. :)

[@patriotwoodworker6092]

Is there a yellow hue to the tile after acetone or is that from the camera?

[@LaserLivestream]

I believe that is the camera. The tile itself uses its original tile colour.

[@iratsum]

Can you please tell me why, using the same setting you've shown, I import a picture/image end even though I use "grey scale" in checking on the preview that's all I see is red. Thank you

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi Frank, If you turn off "Show Traversal Moves" in the preview window, Lightburn won't show you where the laser head moves, which come up red in the preview window. Let me know if that solves the problem for you. :)

[@GoofyFun760]

whats the power of ur laser?

[@LaserLivestream]

I use an Emblaser 2 which is 5 watt diode laser. You can use this method with a diode or C02 laser once you have worked out what the optimum settings are for your laser. You can learn how to work those settings here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI What power laser are you using?

[@SolarDrew]

Why did you bother painting it if you wiped the paint off at the end?

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi SolarDrew, The chemicals in the paint allow the marking to happen on the tile. When you wipe off the paint at the end of the job, you can see the results on the tile surface. The paint acts as a transfer medium. Of course, you don't have to clean it off; it is totally up to you! :)

[@teddodgin9644]

Gil; What wattage diode laser did you use at 100% for 2 hours? Thank-you.

[@LaserLivestream]

I use a Emblaser 2 which is a 1--15 watt diode laser. If your using a laser that is using less power, slow down the speed of the laser. You should be able to get a great result even with a lower wattage laser.

[@oneheadlight8000]

@@LaserLivestream I’ve got the 15w ortur and run these at 1500mm/min and 70% power.. amazing results.. I think it’s 4.5W output

[@tu0r142]

Hi Gil. I am quite new to this game, and a friend pointed me in your direction, for easy understandable instructions, on among other things engraving on tile. That was some of the best advice i have gotten... The engraving part, i understand, and can almost get it to look like your results ( need some more practice, and tweeking 🙂) But my real question - where did you get the image, you used at an example ? I have been looking all over the net (well more or less), byt cant find anything similar. Can you please give me a hint, as what "question" to ask the search engine - to show me images like that ?? English is not my native language, so i am probably, useing the wrong search frase. 😞. I greatly apreciate your videos - keep them coming. Cheers from denmark.

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi tu0r142, try the Laser Livestream Facebook group. I believe that the image can be found in the files there. If not I’ll add it there now. The link to the FB group is in the description. 👍 Apart from laser tiles, what else do you plan to make with your laser?

[@tu0r142]

@@LaserLivestream The short answervis “everything” 😜 i would like to try my hand with Birch plywood ( i have made a nameplate for a grandson) glas, acrylic, slate. You name it, if i find a video, i want to try it 😎 But now i think start somewhere, and practice til i am fairly good, and then expand to other areas. 👍

[@richarddrake7120]

Hi Gil, I'm new to lasers. I was wondering can you use other colors of paint and what effect would it have. I don't get my laser til 11-24-2021. Thanks

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi Richard, I know some people have been using cream colored paints and washes to help bring detail out on tiles. I have yet to explore those options, but when I do, I will share what I discover. Apart from engraving tiles, what else are you planing to make with your laser?

[@richarddrake7120]

Holiday decor, door corners, gift tags, pet memborbila, tumblers, hunting decor. Just a few for now to start. Thanks for your answer. Hope to hear from you again.

[@Kevo20]

Would your method still work with a photo?

[@LaserLivestream]

Yes.This method works with every type of graphic image. What kind of photo would you like to use this method with?

[@Kevo20]

@@LaserLivestream Thank you, do you know if this would work on slate?

[@Kevo20]

@@LaserLivestream I took a picture of my girlfriend and her dog and i'm trying to either engrave it on a tile or slate, I'm not having much luck at all. I'm using lightburn and my laser is Neje 30W.

[@LaserLivestream]

@@Kevo20 Check out this video to work out the best settings for your tile engrave! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIK3d3isbNp6pJI and get back to us about how kit goes :)

[@Kevo20]

@@LaserLivestream Thank you so much!!

[@jamescanada4994]

Here is my question, you are opening the art library, the image format is one I have never seen before. All my images are jpeg or other, I have imported them without the art library but with not so good results. When I select edit image I see the before and after effects from the adjustments I make, even selecting the different image modes changes things. But when I am happy with what I see and then go to Preview image, I see a totally different image that is totally black or without any detail at all. The image is totally different than the before and after image shown in the adjust image settings. What am I doing wrong?

[@LaserLivestream]

Hi James. Thanks for reaching out. Love to help you out but it seems like you have six different questions wrapped into one comment. Let's take them one by one. Can you tell me what file format you are referring to in the art library?

[@LaserLivestream]

After re-reading your post again, I think I understand the issue. In the preview window, there is an option at the bottom called "Shade according to power'" Turn the slider on. Let me know if that fixes the issue for you.

[@jamescanada4994]

@@LaserLivestream Hello Gil, yes I just tried that and it made no difference. The best results I can see on screen using preview window is by selecting halftone in the adjust image window and playing with all the setting by making large adjustments to see what it dose then padding down those adj. to get the best possible look but still dose not look anything near what I am seeing on the online videos. If I try any of the other formats the image turns out kind of line like where it is dark and all the lines are highlighted and no adj. seems to improve the imagl. I have tried using the website ImageR to process the pictures as per described in some KZbin videos and then also tried importing in the actual .jpg image directly into lightburn. Dose the picture have to be of a certain quality or format to achieve better results? I am using a trial version of lightburn to do this on, however the laptop connected to my 3018ProVer has a licensed copy of the software, is that in anyway an issue? And Thank you very much for your input James

[@LaserLivestream]

@@jamescanada4994 I wish KZbin would allow people to post images in the comments, as it would be easier to see what is going on. Sounds to me that something is not set right in Lightburn. Have you tried reaching out to them at all? They are super responsive and I am sure can look at the backend to sort out what is going on for you.

[@jamescanada4994]

@@LaserLivestream I hear you there Gil, I had screen shots all set to send you but there was no link to do so. When I get a minute I will try sending them message. Got side tracked upgrading my laser enclosure exhaust vent, as it was in adequate.

[@Leb.Mountain]

Hey buddy , thanks for all the amazing videos , but i think something is wrong in here , it doesn't look like it is 1000 mm , i run my engraving on wood 80 mm/sec and power 12 % on 5 x 7 inches photo and it takes only 45 minutes . How come for 100 mm tile on 1000 mm/sec it took 2 hours ??? 🤔

[@LaserLivestream]

LightBurn is set to mms per minute not seconds to create a smoother result.

[@Everett2015]

Hello thanks for your videos do you have a video showing how to lazer photos on white tile if you do i would appreciate it. thanks Everett

[@warrenjameson5465]

I think you got the timing wrong. It would actually be 102 minutes. I would love to see you do this with Titanium Dioxide power mixed with alcohol. Easier to remove with just water and a paper towel, no post sealing necessary.

[@bebarssolnmay7650]

Always looks like he is afraid of f up some words while reading :D .......... Great video though

[@LaserLivestream]

Hahaha...I was!

[@adrianjhagendyk7746]

You forgot to add your material height. lol

[@adalidfuentes5307]

Don’t put your laser to 100% power unless you wanna fry it

[@LaserLivestream]

Thanks for the advice. Could you please point me to some documentation about frying your laser at 100% so we can make sure to get the right information out there for everyone 🙏

[@wilhelm2016]

why are all of these people engraving tiles? I keep seeing these tile videos. Why is this everyone's go-to material? I don't understand. What are you doing with them that makes a tile such a preferred medium? Just curious. There are so many materials to engrave and I just keep seeing tile videos.

[@rpmfoto]

What materials are you using and for to what end?

[@LaserLivestream]

I would guess that tiles are easy to get a hold of and the results are very interesting. Given that tiles can also absorb a lot of energy without the fear of setting the material alight, they make sense for a beginner to use if they wanted to run a project and get a result. That would be my best guess as to why they have become so popular in the laser hobby world. What materials do you use with your laser?

[@cbeif]

A mil is .001", I don't think your supposed to call a millimeter a mil.

[@LaserLivestream]

Ahhh... I see what happened here. Your right, in American English, a mil is 0.01. In British English, a mil is used as 1 millimetre. Same issue that got NASA in trouble when landing a river on Mars. Thanks for the heads up! 👍

[@BSills-fe8ze]

2 hours!?!

[@LaserLivestream]

120 minutes!!!

[@VitiatedsHOWTO]

😂😂 Nikki Norton method

[@generalpattonpending7256]

why the dam music so annoying

[@kathyjust4546]

Get rid of the background music. It's annnoying