Laser Cutting and Engraving: Processes on Wood, Metals, and Stone

The laser is an instrument of pure calibration: a computer-controlled beam of light that interacts directly with the physical density of matter. This section of the logbook documents workshop experiments conducted to test wavelengths, frequencies, and power settings across varying substrates: from technical plywoods to natural stones, and from lacquered coatings to metals treated at high temperatures. Each material behaves differently, requiring in-depth studies on kerf, millimetric material removal, and tonal contrasts achievable without chemical additives or inks.

Infrared Engraving on Painted Metal: Photographic Fidelity

The Moon

Infrared Engraving on Painted Aluminium

Working on painted metal requires a 2W infrared laser source (1064 nm wavelength) capable of selective thermal ablation.

Pigment subtraction: The beam does not etch into the metal core; instead, it precisely sublimates the baked-on paint layer, revealing the bare aluminium beneath without burnt residues or blurred edges.
Greyscale control: By adjusting dot density and scanning speed, it is possible to achieve smooth gradients and high-fidelity archival detail, such as the topography of lunar craters in The Moon artwork. The reflective surface catches ambient light, shifting in contrast depending on the viewing angle.

Laser-engraved photographic artwork of the full moon on coated aluminium in a dark solid wood frame

Natural Stone

Japanese Haiku

Natural Cleft Slate

Dry mineral interaction: The surface engraving operates through controlled thermal fracturing of the stone's crystalline matrix, lightening the rock's naturally dark patina.

Permanent, ink-free mark: Calligraphic scripts and ideograms stand out in a soft pearl-grey tone that remains permanent and moisture-resistant. The pieces are mounted on rough stone bases and accented with preserved moss for desk or bookshelf display.

Laser-engraved natural cleft slate slab featuring Japanese calligraphy and landscape artwork, mounted on a stone base with preserved moss

Autumn full moon:walking around the pondall night long.

Flowers and grasses:whether spoken or unsaid,the autumn wind.

Technical Drawings and Blueprints on Lacquered MDF

Casio G-Shock DW-5000C (1983)

Blueprint on White Lacquered Ground

The graphic rendering of technical drawings and exploded schematics, from horological calibres to Renaissance manuscripts, was tested on two distinct substrates to assess contrast and line crispness:

Engraving via carbonisation on lacquer (MDF): A medium-density fibreboard panel finished in white satin lacquer is traversed by the diode beam, which removes the paint layer and micrometrically scorches the timber binder beneath. The deep, jet-black score marks faithfully reproduce the crisp aesthetic of liquid-crystal displays and 1980s industrial blueprints, as seen in the exploded view of the Casio G-Shock DW-5000C.

Framed laser-engraved exploded technical blueprint of a 1983 Casio G-Shock DW-5000C watch on white MDF

Japanese Calligraphy

Lacquer Calligraphy via Laser Masking

千里の道も一歩から ("A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step").

Masking and inverted lacquering: To produce solid, raised calligraphic characters, the panel is protected with rice-paper masking tape kiss-cut to tenths of a millimetre using very low laser power. Once weeded, it is coated in gloss black lacquer, delivering razor-sharp edges without paint bleed.

Japanese kanji calligraphy art in gloss black lacquer on a white wooden panel within a black frame

Perspective Views on Laminated MDF: Stability and Line Definition

Kyoto Pagoda

Perspective Plate on Synthetic Woodgrain Surface

Testing on medium-density fibreboard (MDF) with a synthetic wood-effect laminate evaluated the laser's performance on intricate perspective compositions with dense linework and hatched shading:

Substrate consistency: Unlike solid timber, the engineered horizontal-grain laminate offers a completely uniform base, free from knots or grain density fluctuations. This allows the laser beam to trace millimetric toolpaths without beam scatter or deflection.
India-ink aesthetic: In the perspective study of the Kyoto Pagoda, continuous roof lines and geometric cross-hatching are etched with sub-millimetre precision. The crisp brown marks interact with the horizontal background texture, lending clean perspective depth to the architectural scene.

Detailed laser-engraved perspective drawing of a Kyoto street and five-storey pagoda on timber-effect board in a black frame

Wood & Technical Plywoods

Rolex Daytona, Bulova Accutron, Leonardo da Vinci's Flapping Wing Study

Fine-line engraving on birch plywood

Tratto fine su multistrato di betulla: il laser agisce per termocottura della lignina, replicando la definizione millimetrica della china tecnica direttamente sulla fibra viva del legno. È il metodo usato per le tavole dedicate al Rolex Daytona, al quadrante a vista del Bulova Accutron e allo studio per l'Ala Battente di Leonardo da Vinci, completate con cornici sagomate in massello a poro aperto.

Fine-line engraving on birch plywood: The laser scorches the wood’s natural lignin, replicating the fine precision of technical pen-and-ink drawings directly into the timber fibres. This process was used for plates dedicated to the Rolex Daytona, the exposed movement of the Bulova Accutron, and Leonardo da Vinci's flapping wing study, all completed with custom-moulded solid timber frames finished with open-pore wax.

Laser-engraved technical drawing of the Rolex Daytona on birch plywood in a timber frame

Laser-engraved technical drawing of the Bulova Accutron open dial movement on birch plywood in a timber frame

Laser-engraved panel showing Leonardo da Vinci's mechanical flapping wing study on birch plywood in a stained wooden frame

Decorative Silhouettes, Continuous Fretwork, and Wooden Lettering

Decorative Silhouettes, Fretwork, and Typography

Freestanding calligraphic lettering, nameplate with cat silhouette, corner branch with squirrels

Beyond two-dimensional surface marking, the laser performs continuous through-cutting across various plywood thicknesses to produce freestanding, interlocking decorative pieces:

Structural balance and cantilevered forms: In the cut-out cursive names, letter loops and swashes serve as structural ribs, allowing the piece to slot friction-fit into the base aperture without adhesive or visible fasteners.
Corner-fit profiles: Perimeter-cut silhouettes with an engineered "L"-joint seat firmly atop 90-degree door architraves, door lintels, or bookshelf uprights, combining through-cuts with surface-engraved fur and feather textures.

Tiered laser-cut wooden family name lettering on an oval display base

Interlocking freestanding laser-cut wooden nameplate featuring cursive typography and an engraved cat detail

Corner door frame decoration with squirrels on a branch, laser cut and engraved

Bespoke Engraving and Profiling from Artwork or Sketches

The pieces documented on this page showcase how specific materials respond to different laser sources. The same calibration workflow can be applied to different graphics: technical blueprints of watch movements, vector conversions of historical sketches, personalised nameplates, or bespoke interior silhouettes.

If you have a subject or design you would like to transfer onto wood, aluminium, or stone, get in touch to discuss it. We can assess file feasibility and establish the optimal settings directly at the bench.