Transform Ordinary Colored Acrylic into Bold Creations with OMTech
Colored acrylic isn’t just for industrial applications anymore—it’s become a go-to material for creators, crafters, and small business owners looking to add a pop of personality to their work. And if you’ve got an OMTech Laser at home, engraving on acrylic doesn’t have to feel like rocket science. Whether you're just getting started or already have a few projects under your belt, this guide will help you confidently navigate the world of laser engraving.
Acrylic 101: What It Is, Which Kind to Use, and How to be Safe
Acrylic is a strong and lightweight plastic material known for its bright colors and glass-like clarity. Acrylic comes in two main types: cast acrylic and extruded acrylic. Although they appear to be the same on the surface, this will become clear as you fire your laser.
Cast acrylic is preferred by engravers because it gives a cleaner and crisper line and a frosty finish. Engravers gravitate to cast acrylic because picturing it like carving a bar of soap! It is smooth and predictable. However, when it comes to heat with extruded acrylic, you may need to take some caution with your engraving parameters as extruded acrylic tends to melt easier.
And yes, laser engraving acrylic can be safe, just follow the proper procedures. OMTech's machines are built with safety in mind, but it is on you to use 'best practices' to remain safe. This includes a well-ventilated area, not exceeding the recommended engraving settings, and after the work is complete, cleaning the work area to avoid potential residue from finished materials and scorch marks.
How to Engrave Colored Acrylic: A Beginner-Friendly Process
Colored acrylic is an exciting and creative material for customizing everything from home décor to handmade personalized gifts. If you have an OMTech Laser and some interest, here is a 5-step process that will allow you to move from a color sheet of acrylic to a well-finished engraved item.
Step 1: Pick Your Acrylic
• There is a difference between cast and extruded acrylic and not all acrylic will meet your project requirements. You will want to pick a colored acrylic that suits your project—on average, thicker colored acrylic sheets are better for projects that will be heavy use items such as signs or plaques, while thinner acrylic sheets are better for light use items like earrings and keychains/...
• Consider what sort of finish you will want and require. Cast acrylic will give you a frosty finish with more detail and is a better option for engraving. Using extruded acrylic will work, but it will flex with heated applications meaning it is better for features or design with few engraving patterns.
Step 2: Prepare Your Design Like a Pro
• Select graphic design software that you are comfortable using, respectively Adobe Illustrator, LightBurn or CorelDRAW. These design programs allow you to create details and finalize your design technically.
• Ensure your design has clear lines and desirable contrast. This is especially important in the initial preparation stage if you are engraving small shapes or complicated letters. You want to think of your design as an outline on a coloring sheet; the clearer the outline, the better your outcome.
• Export your design in a format compatible with the OMTech software; this will help your transition from digital design to laser design go as smoothly as possible.
Step 3: Set Up Your OMTech Laser Like a Pro
• Attaching your acrylic sheet on the laser bed, securely and flat will prevent wobbling or slipping during the laser engraving and can present you with an off design if there is any slight movement.
• Adjust your settings, power, speed and focus according to the type of acrylic you are currently using, and if in doubt, refer to the user manual for your machine. If you are a beginner, it may be best to start with low power and make test runs to save you material and time.
• Don’t forget ventilation! Acrylic can release fumes during engraving, so double-check your setup to ensure air is flowing properly and your work area stays safe.
Step 4: Test First, Then Go Full Scale
• Before committing to the final piece, it is again suggested to do a small test on a scrap piece of acrylic sheet. This will give you an understanding of how your settings are operating, along with whether or not you need to make adjustments to settings.
• You will be watching for overburning, shallow engraving, or uneven lines. These little blemishes are much easier to amend in the test piece than in the original piece that has taken up valuable time and resources.
• Once you have your test piece to your requirements, you can engrave your full design. OMTech machines are forgiving, user-friendly, and have inherent reliable tools which make you feel like a talented engraver, even if it’s your first project.
Step 5: Clean and Polish Your Finished Work
• Be careful removing your piece from the laser bed as accidental smudges and scrapes can happen easily.
• Clean the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth and a light cleaner (isopropyl alcohol, or other acrylic-safe spray and cleaner) for the surface. This is to remove the soot or left-over residue from the engraving process.
• Once you clean the surface, examine the edges and details. A well-finished product demonstrates your effort, and makes the product even more durable, especially if it will be handled or displayed frequently.
Understanding Acrylic Laser Settings: A Practical Perspective
When you’re working with acrylic for laser cutter projects, understanding the proper acrylic settings for engraving is paramount. Our OMTech Laser machines are designed with your safety in mind and allow you to adjust the laser’s settings to best suit your work with colored and clear acrylic. Here are some suggestions:
• When starting with a low power, power up just like when you toast bread; always start lower because you can’t unburn, while having low power, you limit the chances of warping or singeing your acrylic.
• Focus your laser. If your laser is focused, it will produce a sharper line and clearer details. Don't just eyeball it; measure that distance.
• If available, use built-in presets. OMTech has preset modes that offer shortcuts to starting off successfully, especially if you are new to this. Presets can take the guesswork out, so you can focus on creating instead of tinkering with settings.
• Keep an even distance between the laser head and the material you are engraving. Uneven distance may cause uneven engraving or shallow engraving. Double-check your z-axis adjustment before hitting “Start” at the top.
What Can You Create with Engraved Acrylic?
When it comes to laser engraving colored acrylic, it’s not just creating something beautiful, it’s using a small sheet of plastic and creating something others will appreciate and even use as part of their daily routine. Here are some ideas that are creative, and both enjoyable and functional:
• Vintage Styled Acrylic Signs: You might be updating your home office, designing your child’s room or signage for a farmers’ market booth, vintage styled acrylic signs are decorative and functional. The dyed thru acrylic adds a nice design element and it is colourful to make your message pop.
• Laser Cut Acrylic Jewelry: Fun and quirky acrylic jewelry made designs from your imagination. Pendants of your favorite dog, cute earrings or nameplate bracelets etc. Lightweight and easy to laser engrave, opt for acrylic jewelry to produce a very homemade charm⁰ with none of the hassle of metals.
• Displays: Need to exhibit your artwork, showcase your brand, or remember your favorite motivational quote? Custom engraved acrylic displays are sleek, visible and easy to display on displays or product shelves a desk or a shop counter.
• Personalized Cases & Stands: Today’s gadgets call for personalized gadgets! Phone cases, tablet backs or headphone stands, laser engraving on colored acrylic provide your tech with an upgrade that expresses your personality or brand.
Strategies to Avoid Burns and Keep Your Acrylic Projects Clean
Let’s face it, —acrylic can be temperamental. Too much heat in the wrong place and you have melted acrylic in no time at all. With a few simple maintenance habits and safety practices you can keep your acrylic projects clean, crisp, and strong:
• Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Always operate your laser in a ventilated space. Acrylic produces fumes that can affect both your lungs and your machine. Also, allow the acrylic time to cool between uses.
• Clean your laser lens. A dirty lens diffuses the beam and in turn makes your cuts and engravings much less precise. A lens that is dirty is not allowing your laser to operate at optimal performance, be sure to clean it often and use tools that are lens-safe.
• Don’t just crank the power up for the sake of it. While it might seem easy to just turn up the power, it might lead to burns or bubbling. Let the laser’s precision do the work vice brute force.
• Follow your user manual when maintenance suggests. OMTech has clear directions for keeping your machine humming along without a hitch. Regular maintenance goes a long way in ensuring you get consistent results.
Final Thoughts
Using acrylic materials with a laser cutter such as OMTech’s laser can lead to several creative opportunities—be it a sign, a gift, or your own custom design. As you learn fine-tuning your settings, properly maintain your equipment, and recognize the variety of casting layers of acrylic, you will consistently accomplish cleaner cuts, sharper engravings, and dependable results. If you pay some attention to the details and practice a little, your acrylic projects will resemble professional results all while representing your one-of-a-kind creative style!
