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Laser engravers are great for cutting solid and flat surfaces. Hence, many carvers use this machine to engrave their designs with finesse.

One of the most popular flat surfaces for engraving is glass, of course. You can see engraved designs on glasses, mirrors, windows, coasters, and a wide range of other accessories.

However, there are many types of glass. Some are pretty easy to cut and engrave, but tempered glass is another kettle of fish.

Can you laser-engrave it? Yes, you can. But it is a much more complicated process. So let’s start from the beginning.

Difference Between Etching and Engraving

As you probably know, there are several types of carving. You can cut, etch, or engrave your material to form different shapes and curves.

When you’re cutting firm elements such as wood or metal, you may not notice the difference. You’ll focus on working as precisely as you can.

However, when you work with fragile objects such as glass, there’s a significant difference. For example, everyone knows that you can laser cut glass along the edges effortlessly.

But there’s a small yet essential distinction between laser etching and engraving.

Laser Engraving

When you engrave, you cut out a considerable chunk of the material to create a design. It cuts deeply into the material, leaving a visible cavity in the shape of your image.

Laser Etching

Etching will just scratch the surface of the material; hence it resembles a drawing more than a cut. It effectively only removes the thin top layer of the glass. It requires far less power and speed.

Therefore, laser etching feels more like a “drawing on the glass” because it’s smooth to the touch. On the flip side, laser engraving is significantly deeper, and you can feel it under your fingers more easily.

Also, the etching process usually requires the addition of ink and certain chemicals to form a visible, durable picture.

laser glass

Can You Laser Engrave Tempered Glass?

Put simply – yes, you can laser engrave tempered glass. The problem is in the outcome.

Tempered glass already went through a heating process, which makes the outer surface stronger. However, that heightens the tension in the inner layers, making them vulnerable.

Following that logic, when the laser pierces deeply into the tempered glass, there’s a massive risk of shattering. Even if it doesn’t break, it may still get permanently weaker and lose its primary purpose.

Many people like decorative coasters made of tempered glass. If they have deep engravings, exposure to hotter temperature (e.g., a cup of tea) could break it.

Some experts recommend carving your design before tempering the glass. Therefore it will keep the shape and compress the outer surface to make it sturdier.

Here’s another tip: Your laser engraving machine is also your etching machine. That is, as long as you can adjust the power of the beam.

As a result, you’ll find countless examples of people laser “engraving” tempered glass when they’re actually etching. But if you like the final result, is the process even relevant?

The Best Way to Laser Engrave Tempered Glass

You should know that any type of CO2 laser engraver can cut through glass. However, it’s crucial to have a machine with an adjustable beam.

You may go through a trial and error period before you find the right intensity. However, you should avoid cutting deeper than 10% of the thickness of the glass.

Here are some tips that should help you during the engraving process.

Use a Damp Paper Towel

Laser is immensely hot, and high temperature weakens and breaks the glass. Put a wet paper towel over your piece before you start engraving for additional protection.

Use Lower Resolution

You should reduce DPI (dots per inch) when you cut through tempered glass. That leaves some necessary space between the dots to keep the glass durable. To keep the image crisp, use 300DPI. You won’t notice any difference.

Jarvis Dithering

 Jarvis Dithering is a widespread carving process that you can use to enhance the look of your image. It adds the final touch by scrambling the dots. Your design will look smooth and high-quality without sharp edges.

Grayscale

If your carving has many details, you should set grayscale rasterization to at least 80% black. That will allow the machine to cut with less heat and with more detail.

Stay Safe

Wear goggles, so you don’t expose your eyes to the laser. Also, look to shut any covers or cases on the devices to reduce the risk of exposure or reflection.

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