Laser engraving is one of the many decoration techniques available to transfer your logo onto the promotional item of your choice. So how does it work, and why does it produce different color imprints on different items?
The word laser is an acronym. It's short for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. So how do lasers create a design?
To engrave an item, manufacturers use machines that are set so that the laser isn't strong enough to cut all the way through the material. The laser beam pulses extremely quickly and burns away bits of material from the item's surface, leaving a slight impression or, in the case of fabrics, a light surface burn.
And how does the laser know where to go to create your design?
With the help of computers. Design software translates your graphic files into a pattern the laser engraving machine can transfer onto your drink bottle, cup, keyring, laptop or pen. Laser engraving machines can use raster images (which are recommended for copying photos onto items) or vector images (which are ideal for line-heavy art that needs to be resized.
How does Laser Engraving produce color? Why does engraving create certain colors on certain items?
The colour (or absence of colour) that results from laser engraving has a lot to do with the material the item is made of and the way it reacts chemically to high-energy laser light. Usually, laser engraving doesn't produce a color, because it's just burning and stripping away layers of the item material.
But there are exceptions, especially in the cases of certain metals. Aluminum, for example, often oxidizes and turns white when it's engraved, while other metals don't change colour at all. Also, if your item is made with a painted metal or a wood that's been covered with a veneer, engraving it will reveal the color of the metal or wood underneath the paint or veneer. It's like stripping away the layers of an onion, except that it won't make anyone cry (*internet source).
Why consider Architectural Signs?
Feedback from clients:
- Consistent and high quality across all projects; indoor and outdoor signage, general engraving, printing, and braille.
- Friendly, efficient service and customised solutions.
- One stop shop with most engraving and printing carried out in Architectural Signs' Castle Hill factory.
- Vast experience across a wide variety of industries since 1979: Construction and Building, Fast Food, Corporate & Promotional Awards, Medical, Education, Retirement Villages, and more.
For more information on lasers for promotional products and other engraving and signage services contact Architectural Signs, visit www.arcsigns.com.au.