Laser Engraving Machines for Wood, Metal, Crystal & Every Material In Between
A laser engraving machine creates permanent recessed marks by removing material with a focused laser beam. Arcus CNC supplies CO2 laser engravers for wood, acrylic, leather and glass, fiber laser metal engravers for industrial parts and jewellery, plus 3D crystal laser engraving systems for premium personalised products.
Wood, acrylic, leather, glass
Steel, aluminium, brass, jewellery
Subsurface engraving in glass
From studio units to large flatbeds
Qrc codes, logos, photos, serial numbers
Micro-detail marks with no ink or tool wear
Engraving Work Area
One Product Category, Four Laser Platforms
Laser engraving buyers often compare machines by price first. The better starting point is material: CO2 for organic and non-metal materials, fiber for metals, 3D crystal systems for subsurface glass engraving, and diode machines for entry-level wood and leather work.
CO2 Laser Engravers
The most versatile platform for wood, MDF, acrylic, leather, rubber, glass, ceramics, fabric and many personalisation products.
Fiber Metal Engravers
High-speed galvo systems for steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, titanium, jewellery and industrial traceability.
3D Crystal Engravers
Subsurface laser engraving creates 3D portraits, logos and designs inside optical crystal without damaging the outer surface.
Desktop & Diode Units
Compact entry-level systems for beginners, small studios, education and makers working mainly with wood, leather and dark materials.
What CO2 Laser Engravers Can Engrave
Use this guide to match engraving results to your target products before choosing power and work area.
| Material | Laser Power | Engraving Result | Depth Range | Top Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Wood | 40W–150W | Dark warm-toned engraving with charred finish | 0.5–3.0 mm | Custom gifts, cutting boards, wall art, furniture personalisation |
| MDF / Plywood | 40W–150W | Clean dark engraving with crisp edges | 0.5–5.0 mm | Signage, display panels, architectural models, cabinet parts |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 40W–150W | Frosted white engraving in clear or coloured acrylic | 0.2–3.0 mm | Signs, displays, awards, LED edge-lit panels |
| Leather | 30W–80W | Precise surface ablation with brown contrast mark | 0.1–1.0 mm | Wallets, belts, bags, saddles, automotive trim |
| Glass | 40W–100W | Frosted matte-white surface etching | Surface only | Branded glassware, wine glasses, mugs, architectural panels |
| Rubber / Silicone | 30W–60W | Clean ablated engraving | 0.1–2.0 mm | Stamps, gaskets, promotional items, safety labels |
| Slate / Marble | 60W–150W | Light-coloured engraving by surface ablation | 0.1–0.5 mm | Memorial plaques, awards, coasters, architectural details |
Deep Engraving on Metals at Galvo Speed
A fiber laser metal engraving machine uses a 1,064nm laser and high-speed galvanometer scanning system to engrave steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper, titanium, gold and silver with high contrast and fine detail.
Rotary Engraving, Software & Business Use
A complete engraving workflow is more than the machine body. Rotary attachments, controller software, extraction and production planning all affect daily output and product quality.
How to Choose the Best Laser Engraving Machine
Use these five decisions before comparing prices. The right engraver depends on material, size, output, safety and whether you need cutting as well as engraving.
- Wood, acrylic, leather, glass: choose CO₂.
- Bare metals and jewellery: choose fiber.
- Crystal photo gifts: choose 3D crystal subsurface engraving.
- Entry-level wood and leather: diode can be a budget starting point.
- Small gifts and jewellery: 300~200mm to 600×400mm.
- Medium awards and signs: 600~400mm to 900~600mm.
- Large signs and bulk production: 1,300~900mm or larger.
- 60W+ CO₂ engravers can cut compatible sheet materials.
- Fiber galvo engravers are for marking and engraving, not sheet cutting.
- Higher CO₂ power helps with thicker wood, MDF and acrylic.
- 1–20 items/day: desktop CO₂ or diode.
- 20–100 items/day: mid-format CO₂.
- 100–500+ items/day: large-format CO₂ or multiple machines.
- Production lines: fiber galvo with indexing or conveyor.
- Enclosed systems improve safety and fume control.
- Open-frame systems require more strict laser safety management.
- Workshops, schools and shared spaces should prefer enclosed systems.
- Rotary attachment for tumblers and bottles.
- Fume extractor for smoke and particulates.
- Honeycomb/slat bed, air assist and autofocus improve daily workflow.
From Your First Engraving to a Production Shop
A laser engraving business can start with a modest machine investment and scale into multiple product categories: tumblers, wooden gifts, acrylic awards, leather goods, pet tags, event items and corporate promotional products.
Laser Engraving Machine FAQ
Entry diode laser engravers can start from about $280–$680, compact CO2 desktop engravers from about $1,800, professional CO2 engravers from about $3,200–$9,200, fiber metal engravers from about $3,200–$7,200, and 3D crystal engraving machines from about $15,000. Final pricing depends on power, work area, enclosure, accessories and delivery destination.
For learning on a low budget, a 10W–20W diode engraver is the lowest-risk starting point. For a serious small business, a 60W CO2 laser engraver is usually better because it engraves acrylic, glass, wood, leather and many gift products with stronger output quality and business flexibility.
Not well. CO2 systems are best for wood, acrylic, leather and glass, while fiber systems are best for bare metals. Businesses that engrave both non-metals and metals usually need one CO2 engraver and one fiber engraver.
Yes. Wood, leather, acrylic, rubber and other materials release smoke or fumes when vaporised. A proper fume extractor or external ventilation system is required to protect operators, maintain engraving quality and keep optics clean.
Subsurface laser engraving focuses the beam inside a glass or crystal block rather than on the surface. The laser creates microscopic internal fracture points that form a 3D image while the outer surface remains smooth and clear.