What Is Laser Marking Paper? How to Use It?

What Is Laser Marking Paper? 

Laser marking paper is a specially designed paper that lets certain laser wavelengths be absorbed by the materials rather than being reflected or transmitted. This capability is achieved through its unique marking composition.

Laser marking coatings (including paper) contain two main ingredients: a marking pigment and a fixing material. The marking pigment, often titanium dioxide, reacts with the laser and leaves a black mark. This mark is washable. To make it permanent, a fixing material is added, which stabilizes the mark. Common fixing materials include molybdenum trioxide, vanadium oxide, antimony oxide, and lead oxide.

Why Use Laser Marking Paper? 

Laser marking paper has made it possible to engrave on materials that were once challenging. Here’s a list of reasons why you should use marking paper:

Enhanced contrast

Laser marking paper produces high-contrast engravings, especially on metal. The specialized coating reacts with the laser to create dark marks that stand out clearly against the substrate.

Easy Application

You can easily apply the flexible paper to both flat and curved surfaces. After engraving, cleaning up is simple—just wipe or wash off the marking layer.

Expands Material Compatibility

Some materials, like glass, acrylic, or metals, don’t absorb diode lasers well. With laser marking paper, these materials can be engraved without switching to another laser type.

Cost-Effective

It eliminates the need to invest in different laser types (such as fiber or CO₂ lasers) for specific materials, resulting in significant cost savings. The paper itself is affordable; for instance, a pack of four laser marking paper is available at the xTool store for $5.99.

When to Use Laser Marking Paper? 

Laser marking paper is ideal for multiple scenarios. Here’s a brief overview of when you may need to use laser marking sheets:

Engraving Bare Metals 

Fiber lasers are usually recommended for engraving metals because CO₂ and diode lasers often reflect off metallic surfaces. However, by applying laser marking paper on top, you can engrave metal surfaces using a diode or CO2 laser effectively.  

Engraving Transparent Materials 

Transparent materials like glass or acrylic are not marked via diode lasers due to their wavelength differences. The diode laser passes through such materials unabsorbed. A workaround is applying a layer of laser marking sheet on top. This makes it possible to personalize glassware and acrylic with affordable diode laser engravers. 

Engraving Ceramics 

Ceramics can be engraved directly via both laser types, but doing so can damage their glazed surface, reducing waterproofing and leaving a dull finish. With a laser marking sheet, engravings become more prominent, and the titanium dioxide in the paper helps protect the glaze from damage during the engraving process.

Contrast Engravings 

Sometimes, even when metals can be engraved directly with a laser, the marks lack contrast and visibility. For example, engraving stainless steel directly with a laser often produces faint results. Marking paper enhances the contrasts, providing a more visible and professional-looking engraving.

How to Use Laser Marking Paper: Step-Wise Procedure

Now that you know its function and use cases, here’s the simplified method to apply a laser marking sheet.

Step 1: Clean the Surface 

Thoroughly clean the surface of the material with a cloth. For glassware, it’s best to wipe it down with denatured alcohol to remove any oils or residues.

Step 2: Soak the Marking Paper in Water

Cut the laser marking paper slightly larger than your design and soak it in water for about 5 minutes. During this time, the backing sheet will detach—discard it.

Step 3: Apply and Dry

Place the black marking paper onto the surface. Handle it gently, as it can tear easily. 

Use a rubber scraper or your fingers to spread the paper evenly and remove any air bubbles trapped underneath. Dry the marking sheet using a blow dryer to ensure it adheres properly.

Step 4: Engrave

Position the item on the laser bed. For round items like drinkware, a rotary attachment may be needed. As for settings, they depend on the material being engraved. Since the marking sheet is thin, it doesn’t require much additional power. Check the xTool Material EasySetlibrary for specific laser power settings.

Step 5: Rinse and Peel

Once the engraving is complete, soak the item in water for another 5 minutes. Gently wipe off the marking paper to reveal your engraved design.

Alternatives to Laser Marking Paper

Besides marking paper, other solutions are also available that allow you to make prominent engravings on materials.

Black Marker

Black color is known to absorb light. So, colorizing the surface with the black marker prior to engraving improves laser absorption. This method works best for glass and ceramics.

Laser Marking Spray

The laser marking coating is also available in spray form. It acts similar to laser marking paper. You just have to spray it over the target area of engraving – the laser interacts with the coating to produce contrasting marks. Once the engraving is complete, the remaining spray can be washed off.

Black Tempera Paint

Tempera is a fast-drying, water-based paint. Black tempera paint specifically can be applied to the surface to facilitate laser absorption. It’s temporary and can be washed off after the engraving.

Conclusion

Laser marking paper is a game-changer for DIYers with entry-level laser engravers. With its special properties, it enables engraving on transparent and metallic materials with ease, expanding the creative possibilities.

If you’ve been struggling to engrave glass with diode lasers, try xTool Black & Blue Laser Marking Paper and start creating stunning, prominent designs today!