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Laser Engraving

Put your own mark on wood, glass and other objects.
Send a DesignSee Availability

Make your imprint.

 

Put your personal flair on different surfaces, or watch our machine carve out an object of your choosing. Our laser can engrave crisp designs or slice the finest lines for your project in just minutes.

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What is laser engraving?

Did you know that the word "laser" is actually an acronym? It stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In other words, the machine's mirrors guide a beam of light through a lens, which turns the light into a pinpoint hot enough to melt or vaporize the material underneath. When we send the machine your design, it then uses this as a map to guide the laser in just the right pattern to produce the pattern or object you want.

What can I make with a laser engraver?

Engravers are a great way to customize or create detailed, polished projects out of flat materials. Try out some of the following for your next project:

 

  • Carve your name on a dog tag necklace
  • Produce your own balsa wood bookmark
  • Engrave your address into your wallet
  • Create a unique sign or plaque as a gift
  • Carve a cartoon onto acrylic to make a pop culture tabletop light
  • Put special names or dates onto a picture frame
  • Make unique invitations for your special day
  • And more!

Tips and Tricks

Did you know you can design your own images to make with the laser engraver? One way to do this is through software like Inkscape (which is free and open source), Adobe Illustrator or CoreIDRAW. Never used these programs before? You can get started using the lessons available with your library card on LinkedIn Learning.

How can I start engraving?

This service is free and available to community members of all ages. A library card is not required, but signing up for a library card gives you access to design, coding and engineering classes on LinkedIn Learning, in addition to other resources and services.

 

In order to get started, just follow the steps below.

 

  1. Email a design you'd like engraved to [email protected], and let us know what material you'd like it engraved on.
  2. Drop off the material you're engraving on or cutting from. (Or, if you're engraving during Maker Monday and other Innovation Lab programs, you can use the library's materials for your project.)
  3. We'll load up your file as staff availability allows. If it's during Maker Monday or other programs, you can typically take home your project within minutes. Otherwise, we can usually engrave for you within a few days.
  4. If you're picking the engraving up later, we'll email you when the engraving is ready, and you can come to the library during its open hours to pick up the final product.

File types:

  • Engraving needs a .jpg, .png or .pdf of your design.
  • Cutting needs a .pdf or .svg of your item.

Usable materials:

  • Natural wood
  • Natural fabric
  • Paper
  • Uncoated cardboard
  • Painted tile
  • Acrylic plastic
  • Birch craft plywood
  • Natural leather
  • Other materials, subject to the approval of the Digital Services and Innovation team.

Non-usable materials:

  • Materials containing chloride
  • Materials containing PVC
  • Materials or settings that produce excessive smoke, smells or flames.

Engraving and cutting dimensions

  • See "What engravers are in the Innovation Lab?" below.

What engravers are in the Innovation Lab?

Dremel DigiLab Laser Cutter

 

  • One is available.
  • Engraving area: 18.4x12", or 467x304.88mm
  • Cutting area: 20x12", or 508x304.8mm
  • Maximum engraving height: 1.25" or 32mm
  • Maximum cutting height: 1/4" or 6mm wood and acrylic
  • Can engrave and cut flat pieces only.

Blank

What is laser engraving?

Did you know that the word "laser" is actually an acronym? It stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In other words, the machine's mirrors guide a beam of light through a lens, which turns the light into a pinpoint hot enough to melt or vaporize the material underneath. When we send the machine your design, it then uses this as a map to guide the laser in just the right pattern to produce the pattern or object you want.

What can I make with a laser engraver?

Engravers are a great way to customize or create detailed, polished projects out of flat materials. Try out some of the following for your next project:

 

  • Carve your name on a dog tag necklace
  • Produce your own balsa wood bookmark
  • Engrave your address into your wallet
  • Create a unique sign or plaque as a gift
  • Carve a cartoon onto acrylic to make a pop culture tabletop light
  • Put special names or dates onto a picture frame
  • Make unique invitations for your special day
  • And more!

Tips and Tricks

Did you know you can design your own images to make with the laser engraver? One way to do this is through software like Inkscape (which is free and open source), Adobe Illustrator or CoreIDRAW. Never used these programs before? You can get started using the lessons available with your library card on LinkedIn Learning.

How can I start engraving?

This service is free and available to community members of all ages. A library card is not required, but signing up for a library card gives you access to design, coding and engineering classes on LinkedIn Learning, in addition to other resources and services.

 

In order to get started, just follow the steps below.

 

  1. Email a design you'd like engraved to [email protected], and let us know what material you'd like it engraved on.
  2. Drop off the material you're engraving on or cutting from. (Or, if you're engraving during Maker Monday and other Innovation Lab programs, you can use the library's materials for your project.)
  3. We'll load up your file as staff availability allows. If it's during Maker Monday or other programs, you can typically take home your project within minutes. Otherwise, we can usually engrave for you within a few days.
  4. If you're picking the engraving up later, we'll email you when the engraving is ready, and you can come to the library during its open hours to pick up the final product.

File types:

  • Engraving needs a .jpg, .png or .pdf of your design.
  • Cutting needs a .pdf or .svg of your item.

Usable materials:

  • Natural wood
  • Natural fabric
  • Paper
  • Uncoated cardboard
  • Painted tile
  • Acrylic plastic
  • Birch craft plywood
  • Natural leather
  • Other materials, subject to the approval of the Digital Services and Innovation team.

Non-usable materials:

  • Materials containing chloride
  • Materials containing PVC
  • Materials or settings that produce excessive smoke, smells or flames.

Engraving and cutting dimensions

  • See "What engravers are in the Innovation Lab?" below.

What engravers are in the Innovation Lab?

Dremel DigiLab Laser Cutter

 

  • One is available.
  • Engraving area: 18.4x12", or 467x304.88mm
  • Cutting area: 20x12", or 508x304.8mm
  • Maximum engraving height: 1.25" or 32mm
  • Maximum cutting height: 1/4" or 6mm wood and acrylic
  • Can engrave and cut flat pieces only.

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