🔧 10 Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Laser Engraving (And How to Avoid Them)
Laser engraving is an exciting and rewarding hobby or business, but when you’re starting out, it’s easy to run into a few bumps. Here are ten beginner mistakes — why they happen, what goes wrong, and how to fix them fast. 🚀
1. ⚡ Using Incorrect Speed and Power Settings
Why it happens: Many beginners rely on default settings or guesswork, not realising how different materials react to the laser.
What can go wrong: You might scorch wood, barely scratch acrylic, or wear out your machine too quickly.
Fix it: Always run a material test grid first! Use LightBurn or your preferred software to dial in the perfect speed/power settings. Start with manufacturer recommendations, then tweak from there.
🛠 Tip: A simple 5×5 test matrix can save you hours of trial and error.
2. 🖼 Skipping Image Preparation
Why it happens: It’s tempting to drag and drop a photo straight into the software without prepping it.
What can go wrong: You get fuzzy, low-contrast, or washed-out engravings.
Fix it: Prep your images first! Convert them to grayscale, boost the contrast, and resize them to match your project size.
🛠 Tip: In LightBurn, test different dithering modes like Jarvis or Atkinson for photos.
3. 🧪 Ignoring Material Compatibility
Why it happens: You want to try everything — leather, plastic, glass — but not all materials are laser-safe!
What can go wrong: Toxic fumes (like PVC), poor engraving quality, or even fire hazards.
Fix it: Stick with known laser-safe materials like:
- ✅ Birch plywood
- ✅ Cast acrylic
- ✅ Natural leather
- ✅ Paper & card
🚫 Avoid: PVC, vinyl, and unknown plastics.
4. 🔍 Not Focusing the Laser Properly
Why it happens: It’s easy to forget or misjudge focus when you’re rushing to start.
What can go wrong: Blurry engravings, failed cuts, or inconsistent results.
Fix it: Always use your laser’s focus tool or manual method. Run a focus ramp test to find the sweet spot.
🛠 Tip: With diode lasers, ensure the beam is as small and sharp as possible!
5. 🦺 Neglecting Safety Equipment
Why it happens: You’re excited to engrave — but safety often gets skipped.
What can go wrong: Eye injury, harmful fumes, or even a fire.
Fix it:
- 🕶 Always wear laser-safe goggles
- 💨 Use proper extraction or ventilation
- 🔥 Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- 👀 Never leave your laser unattended
6. 🧲 Not Securing Your Material
Why it happens: Lightweight materials can shift during engraving if not held down.
What can go wrong: Misalignment, ghosting, or ruined jobs.
Fix it: Use tape, magnets, honeycomb clips, or jigs to hold materials in place before you hit “Start.”
7. 💸 Starting With Expensive Materials
Why it happens: You want to jump into your final project without practising.
What can go wrong: You waste expensive blanks and get disappointing results.
Fix it: Practice on scrap wood, cardboard, or off-cuts first. Save the fancy acrylic and tumblers for later.
8. 🧼 Forgetting to Clean the Lens or Mirrors
Why it happens: It’s an easy maintenance step to forget.
What can go wrong: Weaker laser output, inconsistent results, or even lens damage.
Fix it: Clean your lens, mirrors, or diode window regularly using proper cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Set a reminder!
9. 📐 Using Low-Quality or Wrong-Sized Artwork
Why it happens: Resizing a small JPG or using the wrong file format leads to bad results.
What can go wrong: Pixelation, blurred lines, or distorted engravings.
Fix it:
- 📁 Use vector files (SVG, AI, DXF) when possible
- 🖼 For images, make sure they’re at least 300 DPI
- 🔧 Resize artwork in your editor before importing
10. 🧠 Underusing Your Laser Software
Why it happens: It’s easy to miss the full potential of tools like LightBurn.
What can go wrong: Missed opportunities, poor workflow, and inconsistent results.
Fix it:
- 🎯 Learn about layers, passes, and speed/power settings
- 👁 Use the preview tool before running a job
- 📚 Follow tutorials and test advanced features gradually
📓 Bonus Tip: Keep a Laser Logbook
Track your materials, settings, and results. This saves time, reduces repeat mistakes, and helps you grow faster. Many pros swear by it!
Ready to Level Up Your Laser Game? 🔥
Explore more tutorials and downloadable test files right here on EngraveThis! Need help choosing your first laser? Check out our Laser Comparison Guide.