EPILOG LASER
Top 10 Frequently Asked Laser Questions from Epilog Fans
Epilog Laser Fans - ELFs for short - are some of the most creative engravers around . The ELF group on Facebook has so many engraving projects and examples of the versatility of Epilog machines . In addition , most ELFs are happy to offer expertise and advice to newcomers .
Here ’ s a look at 10 of the most frequently asked questions our fans ask , along with answers from our experts !
1 . What are some recommendations for hardwood engraving ?
Mask the wood . Masking helps reduce residue from seeping into engraved areas and makes for easy clean up .
Use “ bottom up ” engraving . This is a feature in Epilog ’ s print driver that allows users to engrave from the bottom of the design up , instead of engraving from the top down . It also helps reduce smoke and debris being pulled into the engraving area as the laser head moves .
Clean with Pledge , Simple Green or any citrus-cleaner .
2 . I ’ m a little nervous about etching glass ! Any suggestions ?
First , remember that not all glass is created equal . While you may think you need more expensive glass to get a great engraving , that ’ s not always the case . Many of our customers use glassware from restaurant suppliers or dollar-discount stores , both of which engrave beautifully .
We ’ ve also developed the following tips that help ensure a nice , frosty engraved finish :
Using a lower resolution , around 300 DPI , produces a better result on glass as you separate the dots you are engraving .
Change the black in your graphic to 80 % black to improve the engraving quality .
Running with a Jarvis dithering pattern in the driver ( you ’ ll find this under the raster speed and power settings ) will also help provide a smoother finish .
Some people find that applying a thin , wet sheet of newspaper or paper towel a little larger than the engraving area also helps with heat dissipation and improves the engraving . Just be sure that there are no wrinkles in the paper after it is applied .
Using your finger or a paper towel , apply a thin coat of liquid dish soap — any kind will do — over the area to be engraved . That will dissipate the heat when engraving .
Polish the area with a ScotchBrite pad or something similar to eliminate shards of glass .
3 . What are some tips for engraving on plywood or balsa ?
Generally speaking , this material is cut with a laser more than it ’ s engraved . For engraving , we ’ d suggest starting with the recommended wood engraving settings in our manual . Plywood can be tricky and inconsistent in terms of cutting , due to the various layers of glue found within it . Balsa seems to cut very nicely and many of our customers use this medium to build various types of models .
4 . I ’ m thinking of expanding my business to engrave leather . Will that be difficult ?
Not at all — leather engraves and cuts beautifully with a laser ! Some of our users custom etch leather journals , coasters and much more .
5 . What are the best settings for engraving on leatherette ?
This is going to depend on your machine and wattage , but we ’ d start with the recommended settings for “ leather ” in Epilog ’ s user manual . When in doubt , start with a relatively high speed and low power . If you don ’ t move the item being engraved , it is easy to add a little more power or reduce the speed and run the job again until you get the look you want .
6 . I hate to waste materials . What cool projects can you create with scrap pieces from other projects ?
Scrap materials are great not only for creating new projects , but also for use as practice pieces for more challenging engravings , such as photographs .
We ’ ve seen customers make all kinds of things from scrap , such as small acrylic edge-lit signage , ornaments , name tags , and lots more !
7 . I have a Mac . Can I use it with my Epilog Laser ?
Epilog systems run off any Windows-based graphic design software , so most of our customers elect for a PC and CorelDRAW . Die-hard MAC users typically use Parallels or Bootcamp to power the lasers from their systems , or simply purchase an adequate PC and dedicate that machine only to the laser .
8 . Any tips for proper maintenance ? How and when should I clean my machine ?
The biggest piece of maintenance advice is to keep your system clean , especially the optics . Clean optics help ensure that your laser produces the most precise engraving and cutting results . Other maintenance activities will depend on the model of your machine and are included in your owner ’ s manual . You can also find maintenance videos in our online training site and knowledge base .
9 . Can I maximize my laser investment with apparel applications ?
Absolutely . Epilog systems can both cut and directly etch all kinds of fabrics . We ’ ve seen users engraving fleece pullovers , leather jackets , aprons , napkins , and more .
10 . Can you recommend inexpensive substrates I can play around with ?
This is where scrap materials come in very handy for testing speed and power settings , experimenting with different resolutions , etc . Many of our users go to the big home improvement stores for inexpensive wood and tile ( ceramic , marble , etc .) to test and play around with . Thrift stores are also great places to find lots of different low-cost substrates to experiment with . Additionally , “ dollar store ” retailers often have glassware ( pint glasses , wine glasses , beer mugs , etc .) that engrave beautifully .
For more information and advice please contact us on 0117 911 4367 or visit www . epiloglaser . co . uk
30 FEBRUARY 2022 twitter / facebook / instagram : @ trophexlive