Vector engraving/scoring

What is Vector engraving?

Vector engraving is a method of marking or scoring a material surface. Like the laser cutting process, the laser beam will follow the path of vector strokes without cutting all the way through the material.

The width of the stroke is made at the kerf of the laser i.e. approx. 0.2mm. To engrave thicker strokes, we would need to use the raster engraving method or de-focus the laser slightly.

Getting together your artwork

You send us your artwork, then the machine reads vector strokes of hairline thickness in blue – 0.01mm. This is the same thickness as when preparing a file for laser cutting so you need to be sure you make them blue for us to understand how to process your job.

We'll setup the machine for your material

Vector engraving can be processed alongside laser cutting and raster engraving meaning your drawings need to be set up correctly. We then configure the machine to read your drawing correctly and vector engrave your material.

You can let us know how heavy you would like these marks to be. You can gently mark the material surface or engrave fairly deep or nearly cutting through.

Off we go!

The laser head then follows the blue vector lines and marks the surface of your material. Sections that you would like cut are usually run after the vector engraving. Protective backing can also be used to prevent burn marks. In this case the laser engraves through the backing and the material which you peel off afterwards.