Stainless Steel Laser Engraving: The Ultimate Guide

Stainless steel is a hard material, which is why people have doubts about engraving it using a laser engraving machine. However, the laser beams are powerful enough to engrave this material. 

How Does Laser Engraving Stainless Steel Work?

Laser engravers use the intense heat caused by the laser beam to cause a portion of the stainless steel's surface to vaporize, creating a mark. The entire engraving process is controlled by software. A design is imported to guide the laser beam's movement across the material. This ensures high accuracy.

Laser Etching Stainless Steel

However, if you engrave it with a low-powered laser engraver, the engraivng is not very deep. That's because the temperature only melts the surface of stainless steel, but is not enough to evaporate it. This is called laser etching.

Color Laser Engraving on Stainless Steel

A powerful laser can also add color engraving to some metals, including stainless steel. Usually, you see black markings on metals, but if the laser is powerful enough and it can oxidize the material, the metal will be etched with a certain color, making the etching or marking more beautiful.

What Kind of Laser Can Engrave Stainless Steel?

It is a must to know the right laser for stainless steel engraving before you buy one. There are various types of laser engraving machine available.

The laser engravers that can engrave stainless steel are:

• Fiber Laser 
• Diode Laser
• CO2 Laser
• Infrared Laser 

Fiber Laser Engravers

Fiber lasers are the most suitable type of laser engraver for metal, including stainless steel. 

The commonly available fiber lasers have different wavelengths ranging from 780nm to 2200nm. They can be absorbed by metals, including stainless steel. Therefore, it can easily engrave or etch the material. 

The optical power of fiber lasers varies from 20W to several thousand watts, depending on the application. Some lasers can even cut metal. But as far as the stainless steel engraving is concerned, small fiber lasers of 20-100W are also suitable.

The engraving results of a fiber laser are exemplary. With only one pass, the engraving is quite clear and deep compared to other types of laser machines. 

Diode Laser Engravers

A diode laser engraver is not as powerful as a fiber laser, but it can still etch stainless steel. 

It is usually a blue laser, which has a wavelength of 450-455nm. This wavelength can also be absorbed by stainless steel. You might need to engrave several passes or apply a marking spray layer to stainless steel for darker engraving if a low-powered diode laser is used.

XTOOL S1

Diode Laser Engraver for Stainless Steel

Best enclosed diode laser. Safe for home use. Ideal choice for both DIY and Business Projects.

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CO2 Laser Engravers

CO2 laser engravers excel in cutting and engraving non-metal materials, but they can also engrave coated and plated metal. For engraving stainless steel, you need to spray a coating on it before marking.

Infrared Laser Engravers

Infrared lasers (IR lasers) are another type of laser you can use for engraving stainless steel and other metal. Common infrared lasers are diode-pumped solid-state laser with a wavelength of 1064nm, which is in the infrared region, hence the name. 

The main purpose of this laser is to engrave metals, including gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and titanium. Other than metals, these lasers are also excellent for plastic engraving.

XTOOL F1

Dual Diode and IR Laser Engraver

Best portable laser engraver for stainless steel. Engraving speed reaches 4,000mm/s. Perfect for on-the-go projects.

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How to Laser Engrave Stainless Steel?

Laser engraving is a high-quality, precise and efficient way to engrave stainless steel, allowing you to create intricate designs and permanent marks on various items made of it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to engrave stainless steel with a diode laser.

1. Choose the Right Laser Engraving Machine

As we mentioned above, laser engraving on stainless steel can be done by certain types of laser machines. For stainless steel engraving, a fiber laser is the best option while you can also choose a diode laser if you want a more affordable option.

2. Prepare the Stainless Steel Surface

Make sure the surface is clean and free of dust, grease or oil. You can apply a special laser marking spray or tape to enhance the contrast and quality of the mark.

3. Prepare Your Design

Your laser engraving design can be anything from simple text to complex images. You can use any vector or raster graphics software to create your design file, such as CorelDraw, Illustrator or Photoshop. You need to save it in a compatible format for your laser machine, such as DXF, AI, PDF or JPG. 

4. Set up the Laser Engraving Settings

 Import the design and adjust its size according to the stainless steel object to be engraved. 

Depending on your laser engraving machine model and software, you need to adjust the power, speed, frequency and focus of the laser beam. You can use a test piece to find the best combination of parameters for your desired result.

Here are the laser engraving stainless steel settings if you use an xTool machine.

5. Postion the Design

Use the machine's camera system or framing preview to position your design accurately on the surface.

6. Start Engraving

Press start and watch your design come to life on the stainless steel.

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Project Ideas

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Tumbler/Cup

People also love to give these personalized cups and tumblers to their loved ones. Even if you want to make it for yourself and your family members, it is a great idea.

Stainless steel tumblers are available on the market. Once you have them, they can be easily engraved using a fiber laser, CO2 laser, infrared laser, or diode laser. However, in the case of CO2 lasers, you need to apply the laser marking spray.

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Pet Tags

Laser engraving allows for permanent and clear identification for your furry friend. You can personalize the stainless steel tags with pet's name and your contact information.

XTOOL S1

Diode Laser Engraver for Stainless Steel

Best enclosed diode laser. Safe for home use. Ideal choice for both DIY and Business Projects.

Learn More

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Photo

Photo engraving is also an attractive art piece. You can engrave a photo on stainless steel tag. It's a good gift idea.

Make sure the piece of stainless steel has no scratches or dents. It should be cleaned before engraving the photo. 

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Keychain

There are many choices for engraving a stainless steel keychain, including a photo, name, logo, quote, etc. It is used for gifting purposes. It is also an excellent gifting idea for businesses to engrave their company logo and information on stainless steel keychains and give them to their clients, visitors, and workers.

Laser Engraved Stainless Steel Signs

A sign is a must for every house or office. Stainless steel signs can withstand any weather condition, so they can be placed outside the home without any worries. Other than the house signs, you can make name plates for office doors and desks. 

Personalized Engraved Bookmarks

Personalized stainless steel bookmarks make great gifts for reading lovers. There are many choices for engraving it, including a date, name, photo, quote, etc.

Finally, you need to attach a tassel or ribbon to the bookmark to make it more attractive.

Engraved Bracelets

Stainless steel bracelets are timeless and come in various styles, making them perfect for men, women, and children. Laser engraving adds a personal touch and lets you create medical ID bracelets, couple bracelets, and friendship bracelets.

Knife Engraving

Laser engraving elevates a simple knife into a special gift. You can personalize it with initials or names, dates, quotes, logos, or images.

Best Laser Engraver for Stainless Steel Engraving

xTool F1 Ultra: The Best Compact Fiber Laser Engraver for Stainless Steel

xTool F1 Ultra is the world’s first fiber and diode laser, designed to engrave a range of metals deeply. Its 20W fiber is powerful enough even to cut metals – it can cut a stainless steel thickness of approximately 0.3mm.

Besides power, speed is F1 Ultra’s biggest highlight. Likewise, its predecessor F1, also features the galvo-laser technology responsible for its ultra-fast speed. The engraving speed of 10,000mm/s may be a norm in industrial machines, but this is the first for desktop lasers. 

Metal engraving is where the F1 Ultra truly shines. It can not only engrave flat surfaces but also curved and spherical ones. There’s a smart camera inside to adjust the laser focus based on the material and let the machine engrave efficiently.

The F1 Ultra offers a larger working area than any other in its class. The basic work area of 220 by 220mm is the largest for desktop galvo lasers, and it can be expanded to 220 by 500mm with an auto conveyor.

The same smart camera inside the workspace previews the working area, determines the material’s thickness, and adjusts the focus automatically, allowing the XCS software to suggest preset values for the material. This automation makes engraving seamless.

Like all xTool machines, F1 Ultra is built with safety in mind. The machine’s enclosed design with a filtering lid on top means you no longer need any additional safety equipment. Protection is also in place to stop laser operation, if you accidentally open the lid. Lastly, its efficient smoke evacuation ensures a clean working environment, making it ideal for storefront houses.

xTool F1

Metals absorb infrared (IR) beams effectively, which is why the xTool F1 is the perfect tool for the job. The machine features a 10W blue diode for engraving materials like wood, paper, leather, and a 2W Infrared specifically for color laser engraving metals like stainless steel.

The clarity of prints is important, particularly when engraving high-quality images on accessories. The F1 can produce UHD prints with a precision of 0.00199 mm. This precision is due to its advanced Galvo technology. It also makes it the fastest diode laser engraver on the market – you get an engraving speed of 4000mm/s, similar to what’s found in industrial fiber lasers.

Portability is another key feature of this machine. Its handheld design and weight of just 4.6 kg make it easy to transport. You can take it to craft fairs for live engraving demonstrations, which helps in attracting more customers.

The machine offers a working area of 115 by 115 mm. This area is expandable to 400 mm with an additional extension slot. Such space is ample for small metal accessories like keychains, pet tags, and metal cards. The machine also supports the RA2 Pro add-on. This attachment lets you engrave on cylindrical objects like stainless steel tumblers and flasks.

Using the F1 is a breeze. You simply place the material inside and enter its thickness into the laser engraver software. Following this, the laser head automatically adjusts. There is also a manual knob for further adjustments. To preview your engraving, the machine provides a blue light feature. This feature gives a clear, real-time display before the actual process begins.

Safety is a paramount consideration in the design of the xTool F1. Its fully enclosed design, complete with a filtering lid, protects users from smoke and laser rays. The machine includes an exhaust fan that evacuates the interior and allows for venting smoke to the outside environment.

5 Best Practices for Laser Engraving Stainless Steel

If you are new to engraving stainless steel using a laser machine, you should look at these tips and best practices. These will bring perfection to your work and make it easier.

Clean the Surface

Cleaning the surface of stainless steel is very important, and people usually ignore it. There can be dust, grease, and other particles that can create a hindrance for the laser. Therefore, you must clean the material first before engraving it.

Cleaning is pretty simple. You need rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Clean the surface of the metal, and then it will be ready for engraving.

Adjust the Focus

Without the optimal adjustment of the focus, you won't get the best results. The laser cannot perform or engrave the material if it is not focused properly. You won't get a better contrast, or you might need to run more passes.

Therefore, make sure to adjust the focus in the first place before you start engraving. It is a must for every material.

Power-Speed Test

You cannot guess the right power and speed required to engrave an object or material. Therefore, you must do a power-speed test. It will tell you the right power and speed combination.

For stainless steel, it is recommended to engrave on high power and low speed. It will give you a better contrast. But when you do a power-speed test, you get a complete idea of the power and speed you need to select.

Moreover, some laser engravers produce various colors on different power and speed settings. With the help of the power-speed test, you get to know about the exact settings to achieve the desired color.

Apply Laser Marking Spray

Laser marking spray is needed if a CO2 laser engraver is used. And if also saves you from engraving multiple times when using a low-powered diode laser.

The spray is cleaned easily after laser engraving, so you don't have to worry about it. You can remove it using water and a cloth.