A laser-engraved wooden cutting board could be an excellent gift. They are perfect for holidays, housewarmings, and weddings. Or it could be a simple thank-you gift. Cutting boards are typically easy to engrave. It looks even more beautiful with custom designs.
You can add names, dates, or special messages on the wooden cutting boards. If you’re looking for something even more meaningful, consider trying a family recipe. You can also think about handwritten notes.
Engraved wooden cutting boards are everyday items, but they keep a lasting memory. These custom boards are great for selling online or at craft shows. Just add a sample to your display and watch them grab attention. Laser-engraved cutting boards are a fun and easy way to grow your custom production line.
How to Engrave a Wood Cutting Board
Good preparation is the key to an excellent result. Laser engraving a wood cutting board is not an exception.
Firstly, clean it with soft and dry clothes. You may sand the surface to make it smoother. Secondly, you have to check the machine to proceed with engraving. Ensure the laser lens is adequately cleaned and free from debris. Set accurate focus height, speed, and power level, and ensure a maintained ventilation system.
Once preparation is done, you can proceed to the primary engraving process. Note that this preparatory work is essential for every laser engraving work.
Project Settings
The outcome of a wooden laser engraving project mainly depends on the type of wood you are choosing. Each wood type has unique properties that give unique engraving results.
For an engraved wooden cutting board, select a hardwood board for the best results. Some woods, like maple, cherry, and walnut, are strong and ideal for engraving. In this case, avoid using soft or thin wood.
Next, choose a suitable laser engraving machine. For laser engraving, you can select our HiSpeed LS-CO2 series. It’s a powerful machine that supports detailed engravings on different types of wood. Besides, it offers a wide engraving bed sizes.
Once you have the wood and the machine ready, it’s time for you to set the laser settings. You can set the laser settings in 2 ways. You can either use the machine’s user interface or the laser engraving software.
In general, for this type of laser engraving project, you can set the engraving speed at 90%. You can use the 100% power of the laser. Note that if you are using higher-power laser machines, consider adjusting these two parameters. Next, for a sharp and detailed design, you can set the DPI to 600.
Preparing the Design
One of the crucial parts of laser engraving is creating the design. You can use various types of design software based on your convenience. Some of the common platforms are Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Inkscape.
Whatever you want to put on your cutting board, you can design with this software. It could be a meaningful text, some recipes, designs, names, or some moments. Pay attention to the resolution of the design you are making.
After creating your design, save it in a compatible file format. You can choose SVG, DXF, or PNG. The exact type of file format depends on what laser engraving software you are using. Additionally, if you transfer the design via USB to the machine, ensure that the file format your laser engraving device supports is compatible.
Push the Design into the Machine
Once your design is ready, proceed to the next step. You can push the design into the machine in two ways: one is by using the laser engraving software, and the other is by manually connecting via USB or Wi-Fi.
The easiest way is by using the laser engraving software. LightBurn, EzCAD, and LaserGRBL are popular options for laser engraving software. You can set the laser parameters on it. Besides, you can also adjust the designs. It is the safest and most reliable way of laser engraving. However, it needs expertise in the software and an understanding of laser parameters.
Test on a Scrap Piece
Once everything is done, you can use a scrap piece to run the test cut. It allows you to determine whether your settings are accurate or not.
You can check for the depth and clarity. If you find something unusual, adjust the power or speed. Overall, confirm that the final look matches your expectations. This step saves time and prevents mistakes. It also reduces the material waste.
Observe the Engraving Process
When engraving begins, you can observe the entire process until it is completed. HiSpeed Laser Machines come with various safety measures. The emergency stop button is one of the crucial ones. While engraving the cutting board, monitor for overheating or burning of the wood. If you encounter an unusual situation, you can stop the machine by pressing the emergency stop button.
Post-engraving Works
There are some post-processing works after laser engraving, especially for wooden crafts. You may have used masking tape to prevent the tape from burning. At this stage, you will have to remove it carefully. Besides, if there are any dust or other residues, carefully clean the surface with dry cloths.
To improve contrast, you may use wood-safe chemicals. For example, wood stains, engraving darkeners, and mineral oils are noteworthy. Apply them with a soft cloth or brush and let them dry before use.
Where Can You Sell Laser Engraving Custom Cutting Boards?
Engraving a wooden cutting board is a unique piece of art. It is a perfect gift for any special occasion, such as weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays. You can typically sell them in various places, both online and offline.
- You can create your gift shops and sell directly to your customers. Or you can supply ships in bulk.
- You can also set up a booth to display your work in craft fairs and local markets.
- Also, you can think about creating a partnership with kitchenware stores to sell your boards. In this case, you can offer wholesale deals for bulk orders.
- You can also sell an engraved wooden cutting board on an online marketplace. It is also effective using popular platforms, such as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or eBay.
- You can also take advantage of various social media and websites.
- You can also think of corporate and event gifts.
Laser engraving creates a wide range of opportunities. Even if you don’t need a physical store to sell, you can use online platforms, markets, and partnerships. All you need to do is focus on quality and customization to attract buyers.
Summary
The entire article highlights engraved wooden cutting boards. It provides clear instructions on how to make these boards and sells them with our top-tier product, the HiSpeed LS-CO2 Series.
To know more about wood-engraved cutting board ideas, connect with us. Enhance your engraving journey and grow your business with us.
