OMTech Laser: Metal Laser Workflow – From Prep to Polished Finish

Before you even fire up your OMTech laser, the real magic starts with preparation. Just like you wouldn't paint a wall without cleaning and priming it first, you shouldn’t engrave metal without getting it laser-ready. Start by choosing high-quality, flat metal pieces that fit your design’s size and purpose. The smoother and cleaner your surface, the more accurate and vivid your laser results will be. A bit of prep goes a long way — it can mean the difference between a sharp, detailed design and a dull, patchy one.

Clean Metal, Clean Results: Simple Tricks That Work

• Use a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution to remove any oils or fingerprints.

• Make sure the metal is completely dry to avoid inconsistencies in the engraving.

• Check the thickness of the metal and type, as this will affect laser power for metal settings and speed for metal engraving.

• Make sure the metal is secured so that it does no move, which is vital for safe metal engraving.

Step-By-Step to Engrave Metal Using OMTech — A step-by-step guide

For many makers, the answer to the question "how engrave metal?" is best done through a defined process. OMTech Laser machines are built to be user-friendly and still give you detail over everything. Follow these simple steps for your metal laser workflow:

Step 1: Prep Your Metal Like a Pro

Think of this step like prepping a wall before you paint — it’s not the most exciting part, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want great results.

•       Pick the right type of metal for your project

Choose from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or another suitable metal depending on your design needs. Each metal reacts differently to laser engraving, so it’s good to know what finish or depth you’re going for ahead of time.

•       Clean the surface thoroughly

Wipe away dust, oil, or fingerprints using a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Even the smallest smudge can interfere with the laser’s path, leaving uneven or weak engraving results.

•       Secure the metal firmly on the bed

Use clamps, magnets, or even adhesive backing to hold the metal steady. Movement during engraving—even a slight shift—can cause blurry edges or misaligned details.

Step 2: Make or Customize Your Design

Now that the metal has been prepared, it's time to create your piece.

•       Design your graphics using compatible software

Using programs such as LightBurn or RDWorks, you can draw, trace, or import your graphics. Regardless if the design is as simple as a logo, or detailed as an illustration, creating digitally gives you control over every line and curve.

•       Your design should be relevant to your desired depth of engraving

If your meaningful graphic is very thick or bold, you may want to engrave deeper for clarity. With thinner or fine lines, you may want to engrave at little depth so you do not overburn. Try to visualize all parts of the final shape and how it will feel.

•       Export your file to a compatible format

Save your design type so that your OMTech software can accept it, usually this means an .SVG, to ensure an easier import and job setup process.

Step 3: Adjust Your Laser Settings

This is the part where you can tell your machine how to match your metal.

•       Power matching your material

Engraving stainless steel? You are likely to need more power than if you were on an aluminum piece. Be sure to note the settings you try so that you can build your own cheat sheet to save you time later.

•       Speed and depth

In general; the slower the speed, the more power, the deeper the mark. Be careful though, and it’s best to err on the side of caution. Perform some test cuts on scrap material first, if your not sure what speed you should be using.

•       Use presets

OMTech machines often have some presets with profiles for different materials already built in. It’s a little easier to figure it out than just starting with nothing. You just need to use them as a ballpark estimate, and your own trial and error and nice to have an idea of where to start.

Step 4: Let the Laser Do Its Thing

With everything prepped and programmed, it’s time for the fun part — hitting "Go."

•        Start the engraving process

Once you press that start button, your design comes to life as the laser moves methodically over the surface. It’s oddly satisfying to watch it work!

•   Double-check if you’re cutting instead
If your project involves cutting through the metal — say, for custom tags or parts — make sure your machine is in cutting mode and that the tool path is clear. Safety and accuracy go hand-in-hand here.

Step 5: Let’s Clean up and Add the Finishing Touches

Your engraving is complete, and it is time to give your piece the finish it deserves. Now you can:

•       Remove the metal from the bed

Gently remove the metal from the metal's bed, allowing to cool, and lifting straight up to prevent any smudging or scratching of your newly engraved design.

•       Review the final result

Check for sharp lines, depth, and full coverage. If something isn’t right don’t sweat it - even the more experienced makers will tweak and re-run jobs from time to time.

•       Clean the engraved area, and improve if necessary

A soft brush or cloth can be used to remove some residue and dust. An abrasives even, or metal polish and finishing solution that enhance contrast in an engraving can be utilized to improve contrast. Therefore, your engraving's tonal contrasts may be distinct and grow.

•       Optional: Finish/clear coat your piece.

Depending on what you’ve made, you may like to add a clear coat or wax for protection. You don’t need to finish every piece but there is nothing wrong with doing so to protect your engraving in pieces that will endure serious wear.

Achieving Maximum Results: Optimizing Settings for Your Metal Laser Projects

Understanding the different qualities of metal is important in determining metals settings. The settings for engraving aluminum laser may be slightly different than marking metal though a fiber laser metal. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

•       Laser Power: Adjust for Density

When thinking about laser power, think about it like a pen press; the larger the density of the metal, the more pressure you apply. For example; typically, stainless steel will need more laser power to achieve a clean and visible result. Brighter metals like aluminum? Not near as much power is needed.

•       Engraving Speed: Detail to Speed

Want crisp designs that are deep? Slow down the speed of the engraving.  The slower the speed, the more time the laser has to bite in. If you are adding a light logo to a brass plate, you can move a bit faster and it will be fine and clear.

•       Engraving Depth: Choose with Finish in Mind
If you’re planning to polish your final piece or add a clear coat, you’ll want a bit more depth. Shallow marks can fade into the finish, while deeper ones stand out nicely, even after post-processing.

•       Safety First, Always
It might be tempting to rush into things, but don’t skip the safety steps. Protective eyewear is a must, and good ventilation keeps fumes at bay. OMTech provides solid safety guidelines — follow them, and you’ll keep both yourself and your workspace protected.

Mastering these settings gives you a repeatable process that delivers clean, consistent results. OMTech’s user-friendly interface helps smooth out the learning curve, so even if you're new to laser engraving, you can start confidently and improve quickly.

Helpful Tips for Using Fiber Lasers and Cutting Metal Accurately

Whether you are engraving detailed images with a fiber laser, or cutting parts from sheet metal, having a good workflow is key! Here are some useful tips to keep your fiber laser workflow running smoothly from start to finish:

•       Do a Test First – Always

No matter what you are engraving or cutting, always run a test sample on a scrap piece before you engrave or cut the final piece. This is like a dress rehearsal for laser engraving, and will save you time and materials if your parameters or settings are not correct.

•       Check Your Alignment And Pathing

Nothing is more frustrating than misaligned artwork or design when cutting or engraving. Always double check your layout and either do a preview of the path or pass parameters before you laser cut or engrave. Takes mere seconds more to do this and can save you countless re-work later.

•       Use Metal Clean-Up Specific to the Material

After engraving material, you may need different clean-up methods based on the material. Cleaning off everything from stainless steel may just require a soft cloth, but cleaning brass may require polishing. Using clean-up similar to the metal each time will keep everything sharp.

•       Clean Your Lens and Optics Regularly
A dirty lens is like smudged glasses — your laser won’t “see” clearly, and your engraving will suffer. Wipe down your optics regularly to keep the beam focused and precise.

By following these habits, your projects will not only look better but also run smoother. 

Wrapping It Up: Metal Laser Engraving Starts Here

Getting into metal laser engraving might seem like a big leap—but with the right approach, it’s totally doable. Start small, experiment with different metals, and take time to understand how settings, software, and materials all work together. Every test cut, every tweak to your design, helps you gain confidence and precision.