Laser Focused January/February 2024

JAN|FEB 2024

LIGHTBURN CORNER ETSY SPOTLIGHT POWER UP YOUR TAX STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS WORKING WITH STAINLESS STEEL OFFSETS DEMYSTIFYING LASER-ABLE UV PRINTED PRODUCTS

CHRIS LOCASCIO

ALL IN

EDITOR’S NOTE This Issue's Advertisers

Algo Laser Glowforge GS2 Awards H & H Creations Tampa Houston Acrylic Johnsons Plastics Plus Laser Craft Fest Lightburn Thunder Laser

New Year, New Topics: Expanding Laser Horizons When working on the magazine, I admit that my curiosity drives many ideas for what content to include. I figure if I have the question, then many of you may have it as well. For example, I wondered what the deal is with diode lasers. What can they do, why would I need one, and do I need one? So, I turned to Gil Araújo of AlgoLaser to shine a light on these machines, which are often a first step for laserpreneurs. Check out his great basic coverage of diodes and what they bring to the table.

I also realized that there are always ongoing questions about both Lightburn and Etsy, so I am excited to introduce both ‘Lightburn Corner’ and ‘Etsy Spotlight,’ two fresh features in each issue bringing you a solid tip, trick, or technique in their respective areas. If you have questions about either of these two areas, send them in, and we will get them answered!

And, of course, with the new year comes new plans and goals. I urge you to take the time to reflect on the past year’s journey and, armed with the lessons of yesterday, project your vision for your business into the future. Every project, every hurdle, and every triumph has shaped us into the entrepreneurs we are today. What worked well last year?

What is it time to let go of? What new techniques do you want to master? How can you elevate your businesses in the laser world? Let’s harness the energy of past achievements and propel ourselves and businesses to new heights.

Thank you for your continued support of Laser Focused and our advertisers. Please consider these terrific laser and laser-related companies when making your plans and purchases. They support us, and we wouldn’t be here without them!

Editor Robin Roberts Creative Director Victor Havens

Wishing you wild success in 2024!

Laser on!

Copyright ©2024 Laser Focused Magazine

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January/February 2024

Cover Story

Chris Locascio: All In

5 IN THIS ISSUE

When Chris Locascio looks at the world, he does it through a different set of lenses than most of us. He sees problems that need a solution, and when it comes to the laser world, in his own words, “he just gets it.”

6 Tips & Tricks Lasers. What are they and why 17 Diode do you need one?

Gil Araújo, Project Manager and Customer Support for AlgoLaser

Columns Business - 10

Power Up Your Tax Strategy for Success Mandy Buendia, EA

Design - 12 Offsets

Katie Devlin, Things Katie Makes

Marketing - 24

Email Marketing Tips for Handmade Businesses Lucy Kelly - Bloom by bel monili

Wood - 28

Demystifing Laser-able UV Printed Products

Kristina & Brian Agan, H & H Creations Tampa

Metal - 30

Working with Stainless Steel

Matt Boddiford, Laser Everything

January/February 2024

18 LightBurn Corner Tyler Raps - LightBurn

LightBurn’s Print and Cut 21 Using for Precise Jig Alignment Mark Garetz, Laser Master Academy

24 Etsy Spotlight

Jessica Trueblood - Shop Review Crew

27 Patreon Members Profile Opportunities: 32 Unlocking Fiber Laserpreneurs in the Lucrative Firearms Industry

Jeff Stockton, Blank Bank & Upstate Laser Engraving

New Take On Color Filling Your 36 AEngravings with Powder Coasting Paint!

Michael Mullins, Laser Engraving 911 Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

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a guest contributor and showcase Guest Become your expertise with Laser Focused readers.

Contributors Contact us HERE!

Gil Araújo

Tyler Raps

AlgoLaser

LightBurn

Jessica Trueblood

Matt Boddiford

Shop Review Crew

Laser Everything

Mark Garetz

Laser Master Academy

Katie Devlin

Things Katie Makes

Sarah Little

Mandy Buendia

Michael Mullins

Kristina & Brian Agan

Scissortail Meadows Collective

Laser Engraving 911

EA

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January/February 2024

CHRIS LOCASCIO

ALL IN

By Robin Roberts/Sarah Little

When Chris Locascio looks at the world, he does it through a different set of lenses than most of us. He sees problems that need a solution, and when it comes to the laser world, in his own words, “he just gets it.”

Locascio came to the laser world looking for a creative outlet from his landscaping business, and for him, the machines just made sense.

He said that understanding the mechanics, the software, and their possibilities were concepts that he quickly understood on a level not many users do. That understanding, and his skill in mastering them, has made Locascio one of the forefront minds in the laser business.

“When I started with lasers, I was just looking for a hobby,” said Locascio, “But it quickly became more than that.” Locascio said that he started lasering around 2015, and the landscape of the laser world was much different. “When I first started lasering, I met Jason Dorie,” he said. “This was before Lightburn is what it is today. It was interesting because this whole industry was really closed off. People did not share settings. People did not share any information about it.”

Locascio said that he was in the forums, helping other users and showing off his own work while trying to teach the craft to others, all on his own time, without an official title or role in doing so.

Locascio said that his skill led him to form “House of Lasers,” an online group housed on Facebook that gathered discounts, learning, and community together.

“When I started House of Lasers, I would just produce content and teach people how to do things that were not really being shared at the time,” said Locascio. “ I almost felt an obligation because LOCASCIO Continued on P7 it’s very rare when you come into an January/February 2024

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& Liquid acrylic ink (like Liquitex - https://amzn.to/3Gji3f0) and fluid acrylic paint (like Golden https://amzn.to/47vNgaU) work similarly to water-based stain. To get a more stained look, I wet the wood first, then drop some liquid acrylic ink on it. A brush wet with water will move the ink around. This gives more options and SMALLER quantities to purchase than a pint of stain. I also find that this thinner ink/paint does not color over the engraved or scored areas.

It is more costly for the quantity, but a drop goes a long way.

— Scott Cooper, Scott Cooper Creations If you have an Etsy shop and use Pirateship, did you know that they are now integrated?

Pirateship will even close out the order on the Etsy site and send a notice! Video link for integration: https://vimeo.com/302363558 — Alisha Pate, Pate Ranch Creations & The Laser Lounge Did you know that how you orient your engraving can affect the time it takes? In Lightburn, before you start the engraving, set it up each way, vertically and horizontally, then run ‘Play’ in preview to see which is most efficient. ­— Robin Roberts, Robin’s BirdBrain Designs Want a darker engrave? After running the engrave, run the same design but as a score/ line. This will darken the appearance and make your engraving pop! — Various Two tips in one: How to stop glues from gluing themselves shut - When you are finished using the CA(Cyanoacrylate) glue, take some hand sanitizer and dampen a cotton swab, then clean up the cap’s threads and the tip of the bottle/tube. This will clean up the ‘spill over’ glue so that when you close it, you will be able to open it again! This also works if you have excess on an earring back, for example. Carefully wipe only the excess with the hand sanitizer cotton swab, and it will neutralize the sticky excess.

— Robin Roberts, Robin’s BirdBrain Designs

Have a Tip or Trick you want to share?

Let us know! Click Here!

Here!

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January/February 2024

LOCASCIO Continued from P5

industry or you find something that you just understand.” Locascio said that it wasn’t necessarily the design, the mechanics or the business angle that made it all make sense to him, but more how the communication between all of those pieces come together to make something functional or beautiful.

That understanding led Locascio down a path with as many turns as a game of Candy Land.

“When I started lasering I thought I’d engrave gun parts, make cool things,” he said. “I actually did none of that!” Locascio said that tumblers were his ‘bread and butter,’ so much so that he created his own line of tumblers to engrave. He mastered photo engraving and developed a name for himself as one of the go-to laser artists to watch and from whom to learn.

“Back in the day, House of Lasers was where a lot of people were going and saying, Hey, I’m trying to do this and it’s not working. And can you help me?” said Locascio. “That’s where my tech support kind of started, trying to help people better their photo engraving skills.”

Another aspect of House of Lasers that was important to him, and also a passion project, was discounts for other laser artists. He built a following and turned that into a successful YouTube channel that Locascio still puts content out on to help others. While he was still actively pushing sales of his own drinkware, La Tazza, he worked to get discounts for all of his House of Lasers members to provide more value-added services to the industry.

January/February 2024

Around that time, he decided he needed to figure out how to push the limits of what people could accomplish with a CO2 laser, especially in the vein of photoengraving. He kept getting referred to Clay Luttrell and Brian Bell at Thunder Laser. He knew of them but hadn’t really developed a relationship at that time. However, after they started talking and then sent him photos of a Thunder laser, Locascio was intrigued by the differences between the laser he was using and the Thunders.

“In my previous life, I worked for Best Buy for about 10 years and I ran their mobile audio division,” he said. “So wiring and schematics and all that stuff were huge to me.” Locascio was very impressed with the level of detail in the design, wiring, and function of the machines. He decided that was the direction he wanted to go.

So he started with one Thunder, and then that became two, three, and then more. He became an influencer and continued to help other users figure out their machines and understand the mechanical side in a way that bridged the gap between engineers and users.

But as many a serial entrepreneur has gone, Chris decided to pursue another hobby temporarily and almost disappeared out of the landscape of the laser world. He sold La Tazza to a good friend, and for six months he pursued the idea of turning old gasoline vehicles into electric vehicles.

“I quickly learned that it is a very expensive endeavor, and the industry, much like the laser industry, is very closed off,” said Locascio. “If you weren’t there in the beginning, you aren’t getting the sourcing, the pricing, and the information you need to be successful in it, so after six months of it, I decided to jump back into lasering.”

When the pandemic hit, Locascio’s landscaping business took an even bigger leap forward. Located in Florida, the shutdown was not as severe as LOCASCIO Continued on P8 in other areas. With Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

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LOCASCIO Continued from P7

the increasing number of people getting into lasering while stuck at home, his online business of helping others didn’t slow down either.

“I live in a lake town, so most of my business was local,” said Locascio.

“I did tumblers, lots of local business, and I did signs. I was combining metal and wood, using a plasma cutter, and just trying to create things traditional sign shops weren’t producing.” He said most importantly, he knew his audience and went to work to solve the problems that his audience faced.

“I know the people I’ve been in the community for close to 30 years now. So I know the audience, but what I didn’t know was how to use Instagram and all these other social media platforms to my advantage. That was the launching pad when I first started with the lasers, I looked to see who in the community was new and who was posting stuff about their businesses all the time.”

He said he leveraged social media to keep a finger on the pulse of his local community. As new businesses got active on social media, he calculated his mark and made sample merchandise for those businesses. He said it started with a gym, then a bar, then an ice cream store, and before long, was gaining notoriety for his skill and expertise. Word spread, and soon he garnered the attention of Thunder lasers, not only for the help he’d been giving for free in all the forums, but by the exceptional products he was creating.

“I understood how the software (Lightburn) worked with the hardware and what the possibilities were, and I worked with Jason Dorie while he was in the early development phase of the software, trying different processors and learning how it all worked,” said Locascio. “I got proficient at it by just working to achieve perfection. I knew that it was possible and that you don’t need a $400 program, you don’t need script processors, you can achieve great results with the tools you already have.”

He was invited to Thunder USA headquarters for a photo shoot where he met the entire team, as well as other Thunder brand ambassadors. There he met Alisha Pate, founder of the Laser Lounge.

They hit it off, and as Locascio’s focus was ever-evolving, he handed off a majority of the moderation and content generation of the Facebook group to the Laser Lounge, where he still serves as an admin and moderator.

He turned over the reins of his landscape business to his GM, a longLOCASCIO Continued on P15 time employee who had helped him 8

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January/February 2024

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Business

Power Up Your Tax Strategy for Success

By Mandy Buendia, EA

As the new year begins as a laser entrepreneur, you are presented with a valuable opportunity to optimize your financial position through strategic tax planning.

By leveraging beginning-of-year tax strategies, including careful consideration of Section 179 for significant purchases and a deeper understanding of cash versus accrual accounting, laser businesses can set the stage for a prosperous financial year ahead. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of these strategies and provide an overview of how they can positively impact your business’s financial health.

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January/February 2024

Beginning-of-Year Tax Strategies: Setting the Stage for Success Looking ahead to the new year, aim to position yourself for tax efficiency and financial success.

One powerful strategy is to carefully consider Section 179 of the tax code, which allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. By taking advantage of Section 179, businesses can potentially deduct the full cost of qualifying assets, such as lasers, in the year they are placed in service, providing a significant tax benefit.

Furthermore, you can benefit by gaining a deeper understanding of cash versus accrual accounting and its impact on your business. Cash accounting recognizes revenue and expenses when they are actually received or paid, while accrual accounting recognizes revenue when it’s earned and expenses when they’re incurred. By understanding the differences between these methods, you can make informed decisions about how you account for your income and expenses, ensuring accurate financial reporting and tax planning. Additionally, it’s essential to be mindful of not counting deposits on projects as revenue under accrual accounting, as this can distort the financial picture and lead to inaccurate tax assessments.

Throughout-the-Year: Accounting Best Practices As a small business, you can take proactive steps to optimize your operations to ensure tax efficiency throughout the year. One key aspect is maintaining accurate and organized financial records, which form the foundation for informed decision-making and tax planning. Utilizing accounting software or engaging the services of a January/February 2024

professional accountant can streamline financial record-keeping, making it easier to track income, expenses, and other financial transactions efficiently.

Moreover, staying informed about tax law and regulation changes is essential for small businesses to adapt their strategies accordingly. Remaining proactive and seeking professional advice can help businesses stay compliant with tax requirements while identifying opportunities to minimize tax liabilities and maximize savings.

Additionally, exploring available tax credits and incentives specific to the industry, such as energy-efficient equipment credits or research and development incentives, can further bolster a business’s tax efficiency throughout the year.

By investing in ongoing financial education and periodically reviewing your tax strategies, you can proactively identify opportunities for improvement and refine your approach to tax planning.

This continuous effort to optimize tax efficiency can lead to long-term benefits, positioning your business for sustained financial health and resilience in an ever-changing economic landscape.

Igniting Your Financial Potential It’s crucial to recognize the immense impact that strategic tax planning can have on the financial well-being of your businesses. Embrace the new year’s opportunities; harness the power of strategic tax planning to propel your laser business to new heights. By taking proactive steps to manage your tax strategies, you can maximize your resources, minimize your tax burdens, and lay the groundwork for a thriving and prosperous year ahead. Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and financial empowerment.

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

11

Design

By Katie Devlin, Things Katie Makes Have you ever been browsing your favorite Facebook laser group and come across someone mentioning the use of an offset?

They could be referring to a keychain, a tumbler, an ornament, or something else, but they are all talking about offsets, and you may not know what they mean.

An offset is a powerful design tool that allows you to create entirely new designs from existing vectors with ease. It enables you to develop backers for names written in your favorite fonts to make a fast keychain, invert images easily for engraving the way you want, or create scoring placement lines that won’t show when you’ve added your 3D layered item. The best thing is that this tool exists in major design programs, Lightburn, and the Glowforge User Interface.

So, how do offsets work?

An offset duplicates the vector path you select using parameters you give it for distance and corners. In some software, you may have additional options you can control; for example, in Lightburn, you can choose to keep or delete your original object. These offsets follow the same vector path and can be manipulated independently from your original object.

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When would you use an offset?

I use offsets most frequently for the following use cases: 1. Making a keychain or ornament out of an SVG or a name in my favorite font. I often ask my niece to draw a picture for me, which I’ll trace, and then create a keychain for her with her design. An offset allows me to expand where my material will cut around the design to engrave her drawing.

2. Inverting a logo to engrave on a tumbler. Frequently, when you are given a logo to engrave on a tumbler, you want to change what will be removed and what will be revealed. A 0% or minimal offset will allow you to do this fast - you can create your new object and “cut” the old one from it.

3. Making score lines for placement on a sign. In this case, your offset will be inward, achieved by either a negative number or noting inward in your software, and this will allow you to hide the score lines you create for placement under whatever you are placing on top rather than having them show outside whatever you put down.

January/February 2024

Let’s walk through a few examples:

First, the keychain for my niece uses her happy avocado drawing. She drew the avocado for me, and I traced it in Illustrator.

To create a keychain in Lightburn, I selected the image and created an offset 3mm in size, traveling outward only and using rounded corners.

I wanted the outside of the keychain to mirror the image she drew and not have any jagged edges which can happen with a bevel or corner-style offset. Once that was complete, I changed that new vector to a line layer (a stroke would be the equivalent in other software) and added the circle for the keychain hole. Completing a project like this in under 10 minutes is so simple!

The process for making a name keychain would be the same.

• Create your name in the font you want • Weld the text together so it is set for cutting or engraving • Create the offset, then remove any gaps/holes left between the letters by deleting nodes • Add your circle and hole for your keychain hardware

work. This technique is very useful, especially for something like a tiger in a school mascot logo, as you see here.

If you engrave that tiger exactly as is on the tumbler, you get the result to the left, not exactly what you want to represent the mascot. But if you create a zero offset in Lightburn and leave your original, you’ll get the result on the right.

Third - Creating Score Lines for Placement In this case, you want to create an offset inside of the item that you will be placing. To do this, you’ll either enter a negative value in your software or use an inward offset, which is what you do in Lightburn, see settings below.

Your result of using an offset of the image on the left using these parameters, will give you the image on the right - easy to place your wording on top and hide those score lines from view.

Second - Inverting An Image for Tumbler Engraving You’ll use the offset tool to invert an image but create a zero offset in Lightburn or a minimal offset in a design tool like Illustrator. Lightburn shines here in the simplicity of their tool for making this OFFSETS Continued on P 14

January/February 2024

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OFFSETS Continued from P 13

As you start to play with the offset tools in your preferred design software, I’m sure you will quickly find many uses for them in your projects. Have a picture you’re engraving and want to make a quick cutout that represents it, not a standard shape? Use an offset. Have a logo that just isn’t looking right as you prep a Tumbler?

Use an offset!

You’ll quickly find this tool can be a powerful addition to your toolset to improve your current designs and make new ones that are as unique as your customer’s requests.

Katie Devlin is the maker and educator at Things Katie Makes. She loves helping beginners conquer their fears with Lightburn and CO2 lasers and learn they can make amazing things.

You can find her at https://thingskatiemakes.com or on her YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thingskatiemakes.

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January/February 2024

LOCASCIO Continued from P8

build the business, while still maintaining ownership and administrative duties. “I needed help on the front end, and my guy is great with that, so I let go of the reins and let him lead that side of the business with full trust.”

ing computer engineering, and two are still in high school.

Living in a lake community, he enjoys boating, surfing, and wakeboarding, things he can do on the water with his family. One of his sons is a wrestler, He went to work for Thunder, bridging the gap be- and he enjoys getting to watch him compete. He tween designers, laser artists, software and hard- likes to unwind after a long evening of tech supware engineers. “I am kind of the guy that bridges port by enjoying a good whiskey. the gap of the common folk to the technical side because I can simplify it down to something that When asked what the best piece of business adyou and I can understand,” said Locascio. “I’m a vice he had ever received was, he said, separating landscaper that got a laser and just understood the yourself from the competition. That is key to your pieces coming together.” success and longevity in the business. The second piece was from a fellow landscaper - value your “Understanding how the machine operates and time and your skill, and do not devalue your marhow it sees the information you are sending it ket. “Don’t bring the whole industry down because through the program was huge,” he said. “And, and you don’t know your skill or your worth.”

I keep on telling my wife, I’m like, 40-something years, it took me to find something I really enjoyed, His parents gave him the best advice for life. “Pasand it’s not work anymore. It’s just something fun, sion, be all in; if you are doing something you love, uh, to do, which is, you know, people strive for that.” go overboard. Go all the way. Buy the best of the best, and make it the very best product you can,” When he’s not lasering, landscaping, or building he said. “If you have the commitment and the pride electric vehicles, Chris is a husband to Alisha Locas- in what you do, there’s no way to really fail. That’s cio and father to three boys; one is in college study- huge. That will lead you to success.”

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IT CAN BE.

January/February 2024

Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL and Wikimedia Commons

Diode Lasers

What are they, and why do you need one?

By Gil Araújo, Project Manager and Customer Support for AlgoLaser

Since the invention of diode lasers in the 1960s, they have become ubiquitous in our daily lives.

Diode Lasers enabled the creation of basic things such as cat toys and laser pointers, leading to the revolution in audio and video storage media with CD and DVD players. Importantly, diode lasers underpin the technology affecting our lives’ structural aspects, such as the internet. The fiber optic that connects us to the world is powered by diode laser light beams. Because of their compact and affordable nature, diode lasers are in use everywhere, and we barely even notice them.

What changed in the late 90s was the ability of these tiny and inexpensive diodes to start emitting some serious – and useful – optical power!

From simple stacked diodes to the combination of multiple diodes and some clever optical engineering, diode lasers can now output many orders of magnitude more power than what was thought possible.

Diode Lasers and Engraving

This exponential increase in the diode laser power output generated in the last decade is a significant revolution in the laser engraving industry.

Co2 machines were the most common choice for engraving machines until the late 2000s. With the current offerings of diode laser engravers and the market, the decision on which machine to buy January/February 2024

when looking for your first – or additional - engraver is not as clear as it used to be.

While Co2 machines still have some technology-exclusive features, such as the ability to cut translucent acrylic, diode lasers have entered the market with some serious benefits as well.

The list is extensive, but we will focus on the top advantages and disadvantages in an attempt to provide background to answer the following question:

Why Consider Diode Laser Engravers

Pros: 1. Price: diode engraving machines come to the market at a significantly lower entry price point when compared to Co2 and fiber machines. In many cases, it is a full order of magnitude less!

2. Size and Weight: diode laser engravers are commonly under 20 pounds and can be easily stored, moved, and transported by a single person without worrying about damaging the laser source tube.

3. Power Requirements: most - if not all - diode laser engravers use 12v or 24v DC low-consumption power adapters. This means a car battery and an inexpensive inverter can give a diode laser engraver the ability to engrave on the road. Literally!

DIODE Continued on P 20 Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

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CORNER

By Tyler Raps Shedding light on laser software mastery! In this column, our Lightburn connection, Tyler Raps, will dissect a key feature or technique, empowering you to navigate this essential tool with confidence. Level up your laser game with Lightburn insights in every issue!

LightBurn Quick Guide: The Boolean Operations LightBurn’s Boolean operations are handy tools that modify two overlapping shapes to create new shapes. Boolean Union merges two shapes, Boolean Subtract removes one shape from another, and Boolean Intersection leaves only the area covered by both shapes. Another related operation, Weld, can merge more than two shapes at once. Here are a few tips on getting the most out of the Boolean operations.

All of the Boolean operations are available in the Modifiers toolbar, which is docked by default to the left side of your workspace. But, because it can be tricky to remember what each of the operators do, there’s also the Boolean Assistant (Ctrl/⌘ + B), a pop-up helper that shows a preview of what each of the Boolean operations will do to your selected shapes and gives you the option to click “OK” to confirm the change, or “Cancel” to discard it. Simply click, or, if the shapes are not too complex, hover over an operation to see what the result will be.

You can Group (Ctrl/⌘ + G) multiple shapes to tell the Boolean operations to treat them as a single 18

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

shape. For example, grouping an outer circle with an inner circle tells the Boolean operations to treat the grouped object as a donut shape rather than two separate circles. In certain cases, using Weld on more than two shapes won’t yield the result you’re looking for, but grouping some of the shapes together and using Boolean Union will.

Make sure your shapes are closed, meaning they’re continuous, complete loops. The Boolean operations will not work with line segments, and sometimes shapes can appear closed, but have nodes that are not actually joined. If you’re unable to use a Boolean operation with a seemingly closed shape, go to Edit > Select open shapes to see if your shape is selected. If just two nodes are disconnected, use Close Path (Alt/⌥ + C) to move them together. If several are disconnected, you can use Auto-join selected shapes (Alt/⌥ + J) to join them.

January/February 2024

It’s well worth taking the time to play around with simple shapes to get familiar with the way the different operations work. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be able to apply that knowledge to more complex projects. There are countless uses for the Boolean operations, just waiting for you to think it up.

Tyler Raps is a Support Agent, Copywriter, and oneman shipping department at LightBurn Software.

For more information on the above tools, and many more, visit our documentation at https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/index.html or email us at support@lightburnsoftware.com.

project s

Do You Have A Project You Would Like Featured in Laser Focused Magazine?

Send us an email at project@LaserFocusedMagazine.com with your project idea!

January/February 2024

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DIODE Continued from P17

4. Specialization: diode lasers are available in multiple wavelengths. The most common 445nm blue diodes are versatile and can engrave and cut most materials. However, good offerings on 1064nm specialized metal engraving diode lasers are becoming very popular.

5. Expandability and customization: while trying to customize a Co2 machine might be daunting, diode lasers are much more “mod” friendly and often built with “off the shelf” frames. They can be expanded, customized, and specialized for a specific task. The market also offers a wide range of add-ons, from extensions, cameras, rotary adapters, chucks, and more. For those with access to a 3D printer, diode lasers are a tinkerer’s paradise!

Cons: 1. Safety: what makes diode lasers very portable and light comes as a downside in terms of safety. Most diode laser engravers are sold as open chassis – meaning they do not have a protective enclosure to block and shield the user from laser light, nor control and exhaust smoke and smells. This, under the guidelines of Class4 lasers, wearing eye protection, working in a well-ventilated location, and keeping full safety awareness for and by all those around the machine is paramount. Enclosures are available as add-ons. Some of these risks are not exclusive to diode lasers; however, it is essential to highlight them as considerations.

2. Wavelength: given the nature of diode lasers and their wavelength in the visible light spectrum, some materials are outside its possibilities. Translucent, transparent materials are the diode laser Achilles’ heel. Multiple techniques and “hacks” can make engraving glass or cast acrylic possible. However, cutting through these is outside the realm of a diode laser’s ability.

3. Power Output: currently, in the 445nm range, the market already offers laser modules with up to 40W optical output! This level of power opens a full array of materials for engraving as 20 Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

well as over an inch thickness on the cutting side. With this said, for those seeking serious cutting speed or metal engraving, CO2 and Fiber are still king.

4. Engraving Area: compared to the most common CO2 Laser engraver, diode lasers offer a smaller engraving area. Common sizes are 400x400, with the more portable options as low as 200x200mm. Extensions are a good way to extend the size of the machines to as big as 800x600mm; however, these are less common.

5. Warranty and support: even though this is less of an issue at present and with the most prominent brands in the market, an understandable concern in choosing a budget-entry machine is the availability of warranty and support. In fairness, most reputable laser engraving brands made a big leap in the quality of their support system. However, on the warranty side, most maintain the 12-month warranty offerings with a lot of fine print and asterisks involved.

People looking for their first laser engraver may want to seriously consider a diode as a stepping stone into the great joys of laser engraving. With their affordable entry cost and versatility, these diode lasers provide a quicker and more flexible entry into a new trade or hobby, delaying or eliminating a hefty 4- or 5-digit initial investment.

In this journey of discovery, most of us will naturally specialize, expand, and upgrade our craft and seek more and better tools. However, there is a space – and necessity - for a diode laser engraver on the path of expansion and upgrade. Be it in the workshop of a laser engraver professional or the garage of an enthusiastic hobbyist, diode lasers - with their pros and cons - are a tool that can add abilities to every artist’s arsenal without forcing massive compromises!

Gil Araújo is the Project Manager and Customer Support for AlgoLaser. You can reach out to him at gilaraujo@algolaser.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gsatrader January/February 2024

Using LightBurn’s Print and Cut for Precise Jig Alignment

By Mark Garetz

A lot of us personalize items with laser engraving.

And we all struggle with getting the engraving perfectly placed on the items. If you engrave the same items repeatedly, making a jig to hold the item is a great help. But we still have the issue of getting the laser positioned in the correct place.

In this article, I will describe how you can use the Print and Cut feature in LightBurn software to precisely align the laser to the jig and, therefore the object(s) in the jig.

through or to use a pass-through feature to cut something bigger than your bed.

To use this technique, you must have a gantry-style laser that uses a DSP controller and has a red dot pointer for positioning. It also works with some diode lasers. This article will focus on the DSP style lasers. If you have a diode laser, see the sidebar for more information on how to use Print and Cut with your laser.

The issue with jigs is getting them in the same place each time you want to use them as most lasers have no convenient fixed point of reference.

The honeycomb beds can and do move around.

Even if your bed is fixed and doesn’t move, “home position” is often hard to reach and see. Cameras are nice to have, but they are generally only useful for getting close or for big things. They are not so great with small objects. With the Print and Cut technique, you can position the jig anywhere, and it doesn’t rely on having a camera.

Print and Cut Background

Print and Cut was originally designed for dragknife (vinyl) cutters. The idea was that you would print something like a sheet of labels on a separate printer, then load that sheet into the cutter to cut out the labels. When you printed the labels, the software added alignment marks. After loading the printed sheet into the cutter, you would align the cutter to marks so it knew where to cut.

LightBurn’s Print and Cut feature was designed to do the same thing, except the laser is used as the cutter. People have also discovered that Print and Cut could be used to re-align a job that didn’t cut January/February 2024

Jigs

A jig is a device to hold and position an object or objects on the laser bed. Typically, the jig is a flat piece of material with holes cut into it where the objects fit. The holes are cut to ensure the object doesn’t move and can be precisely and repeatably positioned.

Many people make jigs from cardboard. The file has both the engraving and jighole outline in proper alignment. Taking care not to move the cardboard, you cut the cardboard, then put the items in the holes and do the engrave. This works well, but you must cut a new jig each time because we are relying on the initial cardboard placement for alignment. With the Print and Cut technique, the jig is reusable, repositionable, and can be cut from something sturdier like wood.

JIG Continued on P 33

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21

ETSY Spolight

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Dive into the Etsy universe with Laser Focused’s own contributor, Jessica Trueblood. Each issue, she’ll explore a game-changing strategy, insider tips, or success stories to supercharge your laser creations on Etsy.

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

January/February 2024

Writing an effective Etsy product description for your laser products and digital files involves a balance of creativity, clarity, and strategic marketing. After your title keywords and your product photos bring buyers to your listings, your description can help convert a browsing prospective customer to a buying one!

Here are key elements to consider: 1. The first sentence is key! Using keywords from your Etsy title, make the first sentence of your description about what is for sale very clear. “This Snowflake shaped Colorado ski resort ornament will be a family favorite on your Christmas tree year after year.”

2. Detailed Description: Provide a thorough description of the item. Include dimensions, material details (type of wood, finish), and any other physical attributes.

Mention the laser-cutting process briefly to emphasize craftsmanship. Bullets are great for conveying larger amounts of information to keep buyers from having to scroll too far down!

3. Tell a Story: Connect emotionally with potential customers by sharing the story behind the product. This could be your inspiration, the process of creating it, or suggestions for how it can be used. For instance, “Each piece is thoughtfully designed, drawing inspiration from [source of inspiration], ensuring that you receive a product rich in both quality and history.”

4. Highlight Key Features: Point out what sets your product apart. Is it the precision of the laser cut, the uniqueness of the design, or the customizability? For example, “Our state-of-the-art laser cutting technique ensures immaculate detailing, making each piece a testament to both innovation and tradition.”

5. Usage Suggestions: Suggest how customers might use or display the item. Be imaginative but realistic. For example, “Perfect as a centerpiece for your living room or a thoughtful, personalized gift for special occasions.”

January/February 2024

6. Customization Options: If you offer customization, detail the options available. Encourage buyers to message you for specific requests.

7. Care Instructions: Briefly explain how to care for and maintain the wood product.

8. Call to Action: End with a call to action.

Encourage the reader to make a purchase or reach out for more information. For example, “Embrace the elegance of laser-cut woodwork in your home – add this exquisite piece to your cart today!”

9. Backlinks!: Etsy allows clickable links to other Etsy listings in your description, so include any related listings. Also, it’s a great idea to link back to your main shop at the very bottom!

Remember, your description is not just about providing information; it’s about creating an experience that makes the buyer feel connected to the product and compelled to purchase.

To learn more about Etsy, join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/ groups/etsyunderachievers Jessica Trueblood is an Etsy coach and strategist. She is the owner of Shop Review Crew, founder of the Etsy Underachievers group on Facebook, which provides free resources to Etsy sellers. She teaches using only Etsy best practices to ensure her students get the best information possible!

She lives in Colorado with her husband, son and her Glowforge, Maxine. You can connect with her at www.shopreviewcrew.com

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

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Marketing

EMAIL MARKETING TIPS FOR HANDMADE BUSINESSES

By Lucy Kelly

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January/February 2024

I’m going to make a bold statement here: a well-nurtured and engaged email list is the most valuable asset your business can have. The people who join your email list have essentially raised their hands and said, “Yes, I want to hear more about your business!” and you can’t afford NOT to have a list of people who are quite literally signing up for the chance to be able to buy from you.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret here: you *probably* have an email list already, even if you don’t know it.

It’s true: the beginnings of your email list might just be hiding in plain sight. To get a jump start: • Dig through your email inbox/folders and see who you’ve been chatting with about products, shows, or orders.

• Gather up all those notebook pages of subscribers you’ve collected at shows but never did anything with (no judgment: we’ve all done it!).

• Pull out your collection of business cards.

• Periodically share a social media link for people to sign up for your list.

• Having a pop-up form on your website that invites people to join your email list.

• Including a link to your email signup form in your post-purchase emails, inviting people who have purchased from you to join your email list.

Do You Have ESP?

No, I don’t expect you to have special powers! An ESP is an Email Service Provider. It’s software that manages your email list and gives you the tools to send emails to them.

Popular providers include Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and MailerLite, just to name a few. Each ESP comes with pros and cons, and pricing varies. Some have free plans for a lower number of emails.

Pick one that fits your needs, and start using it to gather new sign-ups! Many of these ESPs integrate directly with sites like Shopify, making list-building as easy as sharing a link.

Look at all of those people you’ve connected with!

Now, you can’t just add them to your marketing list (your email list that you’re going to send sales emails to), but you CAN reach out to them individually and ask if they’d like to be on your list.

All of them will give you a link to a signup form that you can share with anyone and everyone. Use the link and add it to your email signature, your invoices, make a poster and put it up at craft shows – anywhere you can think of.

To keep that list growing, all you have to do is invite people to join. If you are someone who does in-person markets and events, this could look like:

Email Marketing Tips:

• Putting out a notepad for people to put their names and email addresses on.

• Creating a QR code for people to scan and join your list.

• ASKING the people who are purchasing from you to join your email list while they are checking out.

If you are exclusively online, this could look like: • Creating social media posts to let people know that you have an email list.

January/February 2024

– So you figured out you actually have a list to start with, and now you have a plan to get more email list subscribers: now you need to actually write those emails. Here are my best email marketing tips to get you started: – Send out emails regularly. At the minimum, I would say send one per month, but twice per month or even weekly is better. You don’t need to do more than that. Otherwise, your customers are likely not to remember signing up.

– Offer value to your audience! Think about what they’d be interested in hearing about. Share EMAIL Continued on P 26

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25

You can always include links to your social media pages at the bottom of your email, but the SUBJECT of your email should be one call to action.

EMAIL Continued from P 25

new items and any sales you may be having. Talk about how you came up with a favorite creation.

Give your customers ideas on how they can use your items.

–

Invite your email list members to respond and have a conversation with you. Ask questions and ask for feedback!

–

Use personalization in your emails. Most ESPs give you the option to add the recipient’s first name in the subject line and/or the body of your email.

There’s something about getting an email that’s addressed directly to YOU that makes it more interesting. So try to use your recipient’s name in as many emails as possible.

–

Try to craft a “hook” for your subject line. You know how many emails we all get in a day. How can you make yours stand out? A fun, enticing subject line!

–

Use only one, clear call to action (CTA) per email.

For example, if you want the recipient to visit your website, don’t also ask them to go to your Instagram page in the same email. Make this one email about your website, and the next email can be about your Instagram page.

–

Resend the email to the recipients who did not open it the first time - but change the subject line.

Wait about 3 to 5 days before resending. This is a good way to get more people to open your emails!

–

Preheader text, or “preview text,” is as important as your subject line! This is the text that appears right after your subject line in someone’s inbox before they open the email. Use it to amplify your subject line and get your recipients even more excited to open your email.

–

One more thing about the subject line - keep it short! Remember, most people are using their phones, and there’s little space for the subject line to appear.

These email marketing tips are designed to get you started. Once you have your list set up and going, the best way to get “good” at it is to keep on practicing!

Lucy Kelly is a digital marketing expert and a marketing coach for makers at Bloom by bel monili. You can reach her at bloom@belmonili.com or visit her website at bloombybelmonili.com

MAKE ME!

Sublimatable

CAST ACRYLIC VISIT JPPLUS.COM JPPLUS.COM | 1.800.869.7800

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1

2

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DESIGN

LASER

SUBLIMATE January/February 2024

Level up your laser game and unlock a world of exclusive benefits with Laser Focused Patreon.

By joining Laser Focused Patreon, you’ll not only support our mission but also gain access to laserfocused resources, community engagement, and invaluable insights from industry experts.

Become part of an exclusive community that celebrates innovation, creativity, and the laserpowered brilliance that sets us apart. Unleash your potential and make your mark in the laser world.

Let’s light up the laser universe together and unlock limitless possibilities!

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Category: Files, Finished Products

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27

Wood

Whether you have been in the laser community for years or you are a newbie, I am sure you have discovered there are several different types of materials you can use in your machine. Decorative materials have become very popular over the past few years.

You may ask yourself how this works. Simply, it’s UV Printing on different substrates. UV Printing was introduced to the laser community in 2017. It continues to grow due to its high-quality, durable finish, high print quality, and beautiful color density. There are several different companies that offer laser-safe printed products.

Demystifying Laser-able UV Printed Products Kristina & Brian Agan are the owners of H & H Creations Tampa. Visit their website at www.hhcreationstampa.com

Each company has its own process to get the ink to adhere to the substrate. UV printing is not a proprietary process. Because of that, it cannot be patented; however, many companies have their own “Trade secrets” in their process of adhering the ink to the substrate. Trade Secrets were discussed in the last edition of Laser Focused Magazine found HERE.

Some companies have trademarked the name of the UV-printed products they offer; this is to build brand loyalty and promote repeat business through name recBy Kristina & Brian Agan, ognition. For example, DecoCraft is H & H H & H Creations Tampa Creations Tampa’s brand name for their printed products, whereas GS2 Awards does not have a specific brand name for their UV printed material; it is labeled on their website as ‘Printed Sheet Stock.’

Some companies have branded their printed products as well, and others have a specific area for it on their website.

You may be asking yourself, what is a substrate? A substrate is a material that provides a surface to be printed on. Common substrates being used in the laser community are MDF, Plywood, Acrylic, Flex, Peel & Stick, and Vinyl. Finding substrates that are laser-safe is a challenging process. The first thing you need to do is to ensure the substrate you are buying is laser-safe; the most common substrate to avoid is anything that has PVC. Several substrates used in other industries have PVC, which is found in different types of plastics and vinyl.

PVC should not be cut in a laser because it emits pure chlorine gas, which is harmful to humans by causing lung damage and ruining the optics in your laser, as well as causing the metal of your machine to corrode. In addition, it will also ruin the motion control system. Finding and selling unique substrates that are laser safe to offer to the laser community is considered a company’s “Trade Secret.”

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January/February 2024

2 common substrates used in UV printed materials - MDF and Flex Medium-density fiberboard is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fiber, combining it with wax and resin, and forming it into panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF has been a go-to in the laser community due to its lower price point compared to plywood sheets, the ease of painting, and the ease of cutting. UV Printed MDF cuts the same way as your regular MDF; it just has a pattern, design, or color printed on it. Having MDF UV printed saves production time, and in business, time is money.

Here are some tips when working with UV Printed MDF • Masking is Optional. The char will wipe off with a baby wipe. Do not use any alcohol products for cleaning. This will cause the print to be removed.

• Laser Settings are the same as non-printed MDF. • Cut a template out of cardboard before cutting your project. This helps you lay it out to make sure you are maximizing your printed board.

• UV Printed MDF is great for engraving. After you engrave, paint over the engraving, let it set for about 1 minute, then wipe it off. The paint comes off the printed area and leaves the painted color in the engraving.

Flex is one of those “trade secret” substrates.

Depending on the company you are buying from, they have their own type of Flex product. Please research if their product matches what you are looking for in your project.

Most Flex offered is made from laser-safe plastic sheets. Flex is a popular option because of its translucent effect. The light that comes through illuminates the color, which really makes that color “pop.” Flex is popular because it is thin and lightweight, making it easy to store.

January/February 2024

Here are some tips when working with UV Printed Flex • Popular Adhesives - 3m Rolled Adhesive (apply it to whatever you’re applying the flex to, like wood) - Super Glue/E6000/All-Craft multi-glue - Spray Adhesive • Masking is optional; however, masking does reduce the discoloring of the flex product.

• Place a piece of MDF under the flex when cutting to help stop it from moving.

• Flex is a laser-safe material; however, at high heat, it will melt. The key to cutting Flex is lower power and high speed.

Sometimes, it is beneficial to run 2 passes with the laser and elevate it off the laser bed. I would encourage purchasing a test piece to narrow your settings before cutting. Most supply companies have starting settings and Facebook groups to ask for help in this area.

What can I use UV-printed substrates for?

The simple answer – wherever your imagination takes you!

Most Common Uses: • MDF - Earrings and various Jewelry pieces - Key Chains - Sign Backers - Anything that you would typically paint.

• Flex - Sun Catchers - Bookmarks - Ornament Backers - Anything you would want light to come through.

Laser-safe UV-printed substrates open your business up to offer more unique items to your customer base. Many companies offer to print custom designs when you provide the artwork as long as the artwork does not violate any trademarks.

Customizable printing gives you the opportunity to market to local schools, businesses, and organizations for school fundraisers, employee gifts, or awareness. It is an added benefit to your portfolio and gives you the opportunity to upsell additional products.

Unlock your imagination with Laser-safe UV-printed materials!

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29

Metal

WORKING WITH

By Matt Boddiford, Laser Everything

When it comes to utilizing a fiber laser for cutting or marking, the choice of steel can significantly impact the efficiency and quality of the process as much as the settings you use. Various types of steel exhibit distinct properties that affect how they interact with the intense heat generated by the laser, which is why settings vary across the board. In the world of fiber laser engraving, your customers rarely ask you what metal they should use, particularly in regard to steel. This is mainly because almost every time, they are forced to use a specific type of metal due to the constraints of the laws of physics or the governmental laws regarding their specific industrial use case.

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January/February 2024

So, your job as the person with the fiber laser is to know your machine’s capabilities and settings and whether or not you can do what is needed for them.

So today, we’ll list a few of the different types of steel you may encounter while running your laser engraving business.

Stainless steel, renowned for its corrosion resistance and durability, offers various grades, such as 304 and 316, each with unique attributes. 304 stainless steel is well suited for general-purpose cutting and marking, while 316 stainless steel, containing molybdenum, offers higher resistance to corrosion and is preferred for applications in harsh environments.

Other stainless steel types, such as 440A-440F are used in higher-grade cutlery for their resistance to corrosion from frequent washing with lower-grade chemicals and the ability to keep an edge easier than other stainless steel types.

Carbon steel is another significant category, including mild steel (such as A36) and medium carbon steel like 1045. Its affordability and ease of cutting with high-power fiber lasers make it a commonly used material. Medium carbon steels, like 1045, offer higher strength and hardness, suitable for applications requiring more durability.

Tool steel, such as A2 or D2, boasts high hardness and wear resistance, making it ideal for intricate cutting tasks and tooling applications. These steels demand precise high-powered laser cutting to maintain sharp edges and intricate designs but are generally easily marked and engraved with general-use steel settings.

High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) steels, like AR400 or AR500, renowned for their strength and toughness, are used in structural applications and heavy machinery components. Their higher carbon content may require adjustments in laser settings for optimal engraving and cutting with higher-powered laser cutters.

see this used across a multitude of different products that might come into your shop, from industrial applications like pipes and corrosion-resistant containers all the way to high-end cutlery and kitchen products like pots and pans. Their applications often demand precise laser cutting for complex shapes, necessitating adjustments in laser settings to achieve desired results.

However, to get the specific settings for each type of steel, you’ll want to get your hands on some for yourself and use your different lenses to see what your machines can do. Remember that engraving or marking stainless steel changes the surface of the metal and could allow for points of oxidation to occur, so doing these tests with setting and post-processing will give you the certainty you need when telling customers what you and your machine can do.

Once marked or engraved, always seal your engravings when necessary to prevent corrosion, whether applying a steel white finish, a quick anneal, or covering with a layer of an appropriate sealant in post processing. So grab some small sheets or scrap at your local metal shops, see how your settings interact with each type, and keep good notes about how you and your laser best work the metal. Understanding the characteristics of different steel types is crucial in selecting the appropriate material for specific fiber laser applications, settings, and post-processing.

To help with that, the Laser Focused team has developed parameters for your fiber laser that you can get for free by heading over to lasereverything. net on the “Free Fiber Laser Settings” page, and that will give you some general steel settings based on working with stainless steel. That, coupled with any of the videos that address how to accomplish engraving on steel on our channel youtube.com/lasereverything will get you started quickly and give you a wide range of marking capabilities to tackle whatever comes into your shop that much easier.

Alloy steels, like 4140 or 4340, provide a blend of strength, toughness, and wear resistance. You will January/February 2024

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

31

Unlocking Opportunities: Fiber Laserpreneurs in the Lucrative Firearms Industry

By Jeff Stockton

BlankBank and Upstate Laser Engraving As the ownership of fiber lasers skyrockets within the laser community, many laserpreneurs are exploring new revenue streams that can significantly contribute to their bottom line. One industry that should not be overlooked is the US firearms industry, boasting an impressive worth of approximately $28 billion and contributing a substantial $51.3 billion annually to the US economy. The economic impact of this industry has surged by 232% since 2008, presenting a meaningful business opportunity for fiber laser entrepreneurs.

Revenue Models There are three main revenue models for working with firearms, all of which involve securing an FFL (Federal Firearms License.)

Working with manufacturers: this path allows you to receive parts from a gun manufacturer, mark them with their serial number, and return the parts to the manufacturer for completion of the firearm. Having a type 07 FFL is required.

Working with gun retailers: marking the guns in any of several ways, enhancing the firearm’s value through commerce. Again, a type 07 FFL is needed.

Working with the gun owners: this could involve personal customization and/or marking an owner’s gun with their name, city, and state when they have applied for and been granted a modi32

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fication through the National Firearms Act (NFA).

For this, a type 01 FFL would be sufficient.

Understanding FFL Levels There are nine types of FFLs. Only three would be appropriate for a laser entrepreneur: • Type 01 - Dealer in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices • Type 02 - Pawnbroker in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices • Type 07 Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices The 07 allows you to work on guns in the manufacturing process (in other words, unsold, which is the first and second path described above); the other allows you to work on a gun that has already been purchased (the third scenario.) Usually, the best choice is to go with the 07 as it covers services in any of the above situations, and the cost for the 07 versus the 01 is not significantly different.

Common Myths and Legal Clarity Dispelling common myths is crucial. Contrary to misconceptions, having someone present while working on their firearm or avoiding an overnight possession does not negate the need for an FFL. Possessing an FFL is essential to staying compliant with the law and protecting the entrepreneur and the business.

FIREARM Continued on P 35 January/February 2024

JIG Continued from P 23

Making the Jig The first step is to create an outline that will become the hole for the object. I typically scan the object on a flatbed scanner and bring that image into LightBurn (or other vector drawing software) as a reference to draw the outline. You can also use a camera but be sure to position the camera parallel to the object. Use the measuring tools in the software to ensure the image is actual size and resize as necessary.

We will use a round silicone pet tag as our example. See Figure 1. Import the picture and lock it so doesn’t move. We can use two simple shapes to create the outline: a circle for the round part of the tag and rectangle Figure 1 for the hanger. Draw and size the circle to match the outer edge of the round part of the tag. Draw and size the rectangle to match the hanger with the bottom overlapping the circle. See Figure 2. Use the weld function to Figure 2 create a unified shape and set this to a cut layer. See Figure 3. This tag has an engravable area that is smaller than the outline, so draw another circle to match the engravable area and set this to a tool layer.

You can now delete the Figure 3 image.

Now we need to create alignment targets for Print and Cut. I like to use a circle with a cross-hair. Draw a circle about 10mm wide. Hold down CTRL while January/February 2024

dragging to create a perfect circle. Select the Draw Lines tool (pencil) and hover over the top center of the circle until the cursor changes to a cross. Click that point (don’t drag). Now move to the bottom center of the circle, and when the cursor changes, click again, then press the ESC key to end the line.

Magically, you have created a perfectly centered line. Repeat this for the left and right centers. You should now have a circle with perfect cross-hair, which is our first target. Group the circle and the lines. Set the target to a cut layer but with only enough power to score (mark), not cut.

Select the target and copy and paste it to create a second target. Place the first target to the left of your outline. Place the second target to the right.

They should be as far apart as possible. Select them both and use the alignment tools to horizontally align them to each other.

Figure 4

Your file should now look like Figure 4. Save this as your jig file. Go ahead and cut it and make sure the object fits the hole. If necessary, make any adjustments and save and cut the final version. Your finished version should look like Figure 5.

Figure 5 JIG Continued on P 34

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JIG Continued from P 33

Making the Engraving File

Open the final jig file and save it with a new name, like Round Tag for Print and Cut. Set all the layers to a tool layer. Now add your engraving layer(s) and save the file. It will look like Figure 6.

Figure 6

Figure 7

Run the Engrave Place the jig on the laser bed, using something to hold it in place, so it can’t move. I like magnets, but you can use hold-down clips.

Try to align the jig so the targets are aligned parallel to the gantry (you’ll see why in a moment). It doesn’t matter where you place it, but placing it where you can easily see the targets is best. Focus the laser on the jig. Jog the laser so the red dot is centered on the cross hairs of the first target. The dot may dim a bit when it’s in the right place, so take advantage of that if you can. See Figure 6.

Back in LightBurn, select the first target and run the Print and Cut Wizard from the Laser Tools menu. Click “Set First Target Position,” and the target will be outlined in red. See Figures 7 and 8. Now jog the laser to the second target and get it centered. (If you aligned the jig to the gantry, then hopefully, you can just make horizontal moves to align the dot to the second target.) Click “Set Second Target Position,” and the second target should be outlined in blue. See Figures 9 and 10. Now click “Align Outputs (no scaling),” and both targets should be outlined in cyan. See Figures 11 and 12.

Figure 8

Figure 11 Figure 9

Figure 12

(Tip: When jogging the laser, I use a fairly high speed to get close, and then I lower the speed for the final position. On my Ruida controller I set the speed to 91 for long moves, then I change the 9 to a 1, making the speed 11 for the small moves.)

LightBurn will now close the wizard. Place the object in the jig, being careful not to move the jig. If the object is taller than the jig, be sure to refocus the laser on the object. Start the engrave and your engraving should be perfectly placed relative to the tool layers.

Figure 10

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Final Thoughts

FIREARM Continued from P 32

Of course, it’s important that your red dot is aligned to the beam. If your red dot laser is a small unit attached to the lens tube, then it will only be accurate when the laser is in focus. So be sure to focus on the jig when running the Print and Cut wizard and re-focus on the object before engraving (if the object is a different height than the jig).

You don’t have to go crazy when making the outline of the object. Any shape that locks it into place will work.

See Figure 13 for an example of how a square can be used for a heart shape.

For engraving on both sides of the object, set the first side to one layer and the second to a separate layer. Then, use the layer controls to hide AND disable the second layer, engrave, flip the object, and then hide and disable the first layer and unhide and enable the second layer. This assumes the object is symmetrical. If it’s not, then when making the template, make a copy of the cut and engrave area layers and flip the copy horizontally. Now you’ll cut two holes, one for the front and the other for the back.

Figure 13

Sidebar for Diode Lasers

If you have a diode laser and want to use this technique, it’s important that your laser has homing switches or sensors so the laser knows where it is. You also won’t have a red dot pointer, but you can turn the beam on to low power and use that. For more information on how to use your diode laser with Print and Cut, LightBurn has an instructional video. Here is the link to it: https://youtu.be/ ddRW12VKIwY Mark Garetz has been involved with lasers since 1974, when he performed laser light shows for a living. Now retired, he has a small side business that sells custom laser-engraved products. He has a gantry CO2 laser, a 60 watt MOPA fiber laser, and 5 Watt UV laser. He has been using LightBurn for over 3 years and likes to help people out with their laser issues. You can find him on the Laser Master Academy.

IS YOUR ADVERTISING For more information email ads@laserfocusedmagazine.com January/February 2024

Navigating Complexities and Seeking Expert Insight Embarking on a gun marking business involves navigating various complexities, from obtaining HOA approval for home-based operations to adhering to specific marking specifications. This introductory article scratches the surface, and for a deeper dive, please join us for a Zoom on January 24, 3 pm EST, where we will have Jeff Stockton of Upstate Engraving, a member of our community who is an expert in this area, answer your questions. You can register for this event HERE. Jeff Stockton is the proud owner and operator of BlankBank and Upstate Laser Engraving. In addition to building and selling custom fiber lasers, he also has custom laser-engraved firearms and offers laser coaching and consultations. *Zippia. “30+ Striking US Firearm Industry Statistics [2023]: How Big Is The US Gun Industry” Zippia.com. Jun. 11, 2023, https:// www.zippia.com/advice/firearm-industry-statistics/

IT CAN BE.

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A New Take On Color Filling Your Engravings With Powder Coating Paint!

By Michael Mullins, Laser Engraving 911

In February 2022, my quest for a new solution for color filling engraving projects led me to a groundbreaking method — one that eliminates the need for masking tape, weeding, paint brushes, acrylic paint, and polyurethane spray cans. Excited by this discovery, I rushed upstairs to share the news with my wife, and the idea of creating a YouTube video to showcase it to the world was born. Little did I anticipate the overwhelmingly positive response from the laser engraving community, breathing new life into the ways we can add color to laser-engraved products!

This innovative technique employs powder-coating paint and lasers for vibrant results on both wood and acrylic surfaces. It’s important to note that not all powder-coating paints are created equal, and it’s crucial to avoid using MICA Powder. Numerous suppliers, especially on eBay, offer a variety of powder-coating paints.

While I provide a small demo pack with nine col36

Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

January/February 2024

ors on my site for experimentation, buying in bulk on eBay is recommended. Find a link to my sample pack at the end of the article.

The process is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal setup, and cleanup is a breeze. Before delving into the basic steps, here is a safety reminder: Powder coating paint consists of fine particles that can be harmful if inhaled, so wearing a dust mask or 3M mask is a best practice when working with this material.

Step 1: Material Selection Optimal results are achieved with wood and acrylic, making them ideal for initial experiments.

Wood, in particular, offers versatility, with any type being suitable.

Step 2: Engraving Your Design Engrave your logo or text onto the wood at your standard engraving settings, ensuring a depth between 1.5mm and 3mm. ***Crucially, avoid moving the part being engraved until after the last step.

Step 3: Applying Powder Coating Pain Despite the initial messiness, apply a small portion of powder coating paint over the engraving and tamp it in using a brush. This step ensures the paint reaches all corners and intricate parts of the engraving.

Step 4: Leveling and Clearing Excess Powder Use an aluminum business card to scrape over the filled area, leveling the powder and ensuring it fills the engraved space evenly.

Step 5: Running the Job Again With lowered power settings and no air assist, rerun the job to melt the powder smoothly into the engraving. Experiment with settings to achieve the perfect melt without overcooking.

Step 6: Cleaning Off Excess Un-melted Powder Use a dry brush and a battery-operated compressed air tool to remove excess powder.

Perform this step outdoors if possible, wearing a dust mask to protect against inhalation. Stubborn powder can be lightly sanded away.

With some experimentation, this method can be perfected for use with various lasers, including Co2, laser diodes (though challenges may arise with white and light colors), and more. Enjoy adding a touch of “wow” to your next laser engraving project with powder-coating paint!

Michael’s Websites: Michael Mullins began his small laser engraving business “Sonoma Laser Engraving” in 2013.

Sonoma Laser Engraving is his full time job. He also makes video tutorials on YouTube, sharing his techniques and skills with the world. You can reach him at Michael@laserengraving911.com, or through his websites: www.laserengraving911.com and www.sonomalaserengraving.com

Special Note: This method is most effective for highly detailed engravings with smaller to medium fill areas. For large open fill areas, a traditional paint filling method may be more suitable.

January/February 2024

Powder Coating Tutorial Video Link: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=xOuWrblwhRQ Link to sample powder paints: https://www.sonomalaserengraving.com/product-page/powder-coat-paint-samplepack-from-laser-engraving-911 Laser Focused | www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com

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