Engraving Plastics is Popular

special plastics for engraving have been
developed for signage, faceplates, and other
items.

standard cast and sheet

acrylic plastic and other resins can be

laser engraved. commonly engraved awards
use a cast acrylic shape lasered from the
back. styrene, the plastic used to make
compact disk cases, and many thermoform
plastics, will soften around the edges of
the engraving, resulting in low contrast.
the surface may even ripple or become
deformed. in some applications, such as date
marking on plastic soda bottles, this is
acceptable.

special plastics for engraving have been
developed for signage, faceplates, and other
items. these plastics incorporate silicate
and other materials that conduct heat away
from the material before it can become
deformed. outer laminates easily vaporize to
expose a different colored material
underneath.

other plastics may be engraved, but
experimentation should first be conducted on
a sample piece. bakelite and some hard
engineering plastics are said to do well.
expanded plastics, foams, and vinyl s,
however, should be cut with a router for the
purpose. urethane and silicone plastics
cannot be laser engraved unless they contain
cellulose, stone, or some other
nonconductive material.