If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to expand your offerings to include laser engraved products, you might wonder about how well laser engraving holds up over time. Laser engraving is generally considered to be a permanent way to mark materials such as wood, glass, aluminum, or acrylic products. However, under the right circumstances, engraving might appear to fade over time for some material types.
At Aeon Laser Canada, we know that upgrading to a more powerful laser engraving machine can be a major decision for business owners. That’s why we work hard to help you feel confident in your choice with extensive customer support. In this post, we offer some insight into what types of materials can be prone to fading over time and what you can do to protect your products. Use this guide when looking to select the best possible materials for your products based on their intended use.
What Laser Engraved Materials Are Susceptible to Fading?
Laser engraving is mostly permanent, though in some cases, fading is possible. Plastics and wood materials are the top culprits for fading when engraving is on a high-contact area or when sun exposure is common. If you are looking to create laser engraved wood or laser engraved plastics, be sure that you are achieving an adequate depth to avoid fading from abrasion, such as cleaning and consider using protective varnishes to prevent fading from sun exposure.
What Laser Engraved Materials are Resistant to Fading?
If the prevention of fading is essential, you’ll want to turn to durable material types. Laser engraved granite and laser engraved aluminum are both durable materials that are less sensitive to fading from being scratched or sun exposure. Though these materials may not work in every situation, putting thought into your material type can go a long way to ensure your product functions as it should and looks great for longer periods of time.
How Can I Prevent Fading for Laser Engraved Products?
Preventing fading of laser-engraved products is not always possible. However, by choosing the right materials from the start and ensuring you are engraving deeply enough, you should be able to achieve a long-lasting and great-looking product. Below are some tips to prevent the fading of laser engraving on various materials.
- Choose the right material: Select materials known for their durability in the specific conditions where the engraved item will be used. Always consider whether or not the item in question is designed for daily use, as these types of items will need to be more durable to prevent fading of engraving.
- Proper depth: Ensure the engraving depth is sufficient for the material in question. Deeper engravings will generally last longer and be less affected by wear and environmental factors. Be sure that your laser engraving machine is capable of etching as deeply as you’d like before getting started.
- Protective coatings: Apply a protective coating or finish to the engraved area to help protect it from external factors, such as UV radiation, moisture, and abrasion. This may not be suitable for all material types but can be helpful in specific applications.
- Maintenance: Proper care and maintenance will help prolong the lifespan of engraved items. Clean the surfaces regularly and avoid using abrasive cleaners that could damage the engraving. Let your customers know how to care for their products for greater satisfaction.
In most cases, laser engraving can be considered permanent, though, under the right circumstances, engraving could fade or become scratched away. It is always a good idea to test your materials before getting too far into a project. Also, know that by having a more powerful laser, you can expect to achieve deeper engraving when the machine is set up appropriately. Getting the hand of laser engraving can take some trial and error. Don’t hesitate in reaching out to the experts at Aeon Laser Canada for support with using your Mira or Nova series laser engraver effectively.