3D Engraving - A Beginner’s Guide

3D engraving can produce some quite breath-taking results and the products often make an interesting talking point for recipients and casual viewers alike. What’s involved though and how expensive is the process? Read on to understand it a little better.

Lasers

Human beings typically see things in three dimensions. In other words, for example, a vase (to our eye) has length, height and depth. It’s possible to debate when length is length or when it should be called width, but that’s largely semantics. The key point is that we perceive things to be three dimensional.

However, when you’re drawing or painting, you’ll normally be producing a two-dimensional image. That’s why paintings and photos often appear to be flat and lacking depth – because they’re images on a two-dimensional plane.

Artists over the centuries have used a variety of techniques to try and represent a three-dimensional effect in what is essentially a two-dimensional plane. It’s not easy, and early attempts didn't always achieve outstanding results. All that changed though with the advent of lasers.

As the name suggests, 3D engraving with a laser allows you to engrave a three-dimensional object from several directions. Using fine precision focus control, it’s also possible to engrave inside something without affecting its exterior. Using laser technology it’s possible to engrave a very real image into a solid object.

Digital designs

A second component in understanding 3D engraving arises from digital designing. It doesn’t really matter how sophisticated a laser is – if you can’t control it precisely then it’s going to deliver sub-optimal results. That in turn is going to mean a piece that is less than spectacular.

Laser control is achieved by a digital design file that essentially tells the laser what to engrave and where. There’s generally a relationship between the quality of the design file and the final quality you’ll achieve on the finished item. Some designs can be picked up on the equivalent of an ‘off the shelf basis’. That may be fine and adequate, but if you’re looking for a high-quality and unique product you may wish to employ a specialised designer to put together your digital file for you.

There are some software packages out there that purport to allow you do produce an image file on a DIY basis, but it depends what final result you’re after. If you’re happy with your final image looking a little, well, let’s say ‘home spun’ then all well and good; but if you’re looking for professional quality then using a professional digital designer might be advisable.

The costs

As you might imagine, it’s difficult to say just how much this is all going to cost because so much will depend upon the nature of your required design, the base material you’re using and how big your production run is. However, over recent years the production and design costs have been falling dramatically. 3D engraving is now potentially more affordable than it ever has been.

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in 3D engraving machines. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images for 3D engraving from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.