What are the best practices for laser-engraved bamboo without burn marks?

[turnpaper]

Hey everyone,

I’ve recently started experimenting with laser-engraving bamboo products like cutting boards and bamboo coasters.

While the results look great, I struggle with occasional burn marks and uneven engraving depth.

I’ve tried adjusting the speed and power settings on my CO2 laser, but it’s still hit or miss.

Does anyone here have a reliable method or recommended settings for clean, detailed engravings on bamboo?

Also, does pre-treating the surface help at all? I’d love to hear your tips, especially if you’ve worked with different bamboo types.

Appreciate any advice or photos of your successful projects.

 

[turnpaper]

Hey everyone,

I’ve recently started experimenting with laser-engraving bamboo products like cutting boards and bamboo coasters.

While the results look great, I struggle with occasional burn marks and uneven engraving depth.

I’ve tried adjusting the speed and power settings on my CO2 laser, but it’s still hit or miss.

Does anyone here have a reliable method or recommended settings for clean, detailed engravings on bamboo?

Also, does pre-treating the surface help at all with bamboo coasters? I’d love to hear your tips, especially if you’ve worked with different bamboo types.

Appreciate any advice or photos of your successful projects.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[AmaDeuSbg]

Hey,

There are test grids which you can use to find best settings for engraving on the desired materials. The test grids are just squares with different speed/power settings so you can see which performs best. I think lightburn has such free test grid, otherwise there are several in Etsy and such shops for example.

I did not engrave bamboo products but if same settings perform different on same bamboo material (meaning one and the same cutting board for example), it might be due to difference in material composition or something (try with another batch of cutting boards or just coasters etc. It truly might be your material - I had such issues with sublimation for example where the blanks are actually the faulty ones.

Hope this helps,
Best Wishes