Editing Pyrography (section)

==Equipment==
Traditional pyrography can be performed using any heated metal implement. Modern pyrography machines exist, and can be divided into three main categories.

A large range of tones and shades can be achieved. Varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the material all create different effects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Choosing a Woodburning Tool (Recommended): Battle of the Burners |url=https://www.burnsavvy.com/woodburning-tool.html |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.burnsavvy.com}}</ref> After the design is burned in, wooden objects are often coloured.

===Solid-point burners===
Solid-point burners are similar in design to a [[soldering iron]]. They have a solid brass tip which is heated by an electrical element, and operate at a fixed temperature.

===Wire-nib burners===
Wire-nib burners have variable temperature controls. The writing nib is heated by an electric current passing directly through it. Some models have interchangeable nibs to allow for different effects.<ref>Walters, S; ''Pyrography Workbook: A Complete Guide to the Art of Woodburning'' Fox Chapel 2005 p13-14 {{ISBN|978-1-56523-258-7}}</ref>

===Laser cutters===
[[Laser cutter]]s can be set to scorch the material instead of cutting all the way through it.  Many laser cutters provide software facilities to import image files and transfer them onto a sheet of wood.  Some laser systems are sufficiently sensitive to perform pyrography on thin card or even paper.

=== Woods ===
Woods differ in hardness, grain, figure, texture, color, and other physical characteristics.<ref>Donohue, Nanette. "Woodburning Project & Pattern Treasury: Create Your Own Pyrography Art With 70 Mix-And-Match Designs." Library Journal 137.4 (2012): 96. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.</ref>

'''Hardness:''' All woods can be classified into hard or soft. Usually softwoods are from coniferous (needle-leaved) trees.

Hardwoods are from broad-leaved trees. These hardwood trees can be classified into two distinct growing seasons each year (hot and cold season or a wet and dry season) such as:
* Earlywood: normally lighter in color and weight and only moderately strong
* Latewood: usually heavier, darker, and much stronger.

Softwood will burn faster than a hardwood does. It does not require very hot temperature to burn as do the hardwoods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wood - Wood as a material {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/wood-plant-tissue/Wood-as-a-material |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Light-coloured [[hardwoods]] such as [[sycamore]], [[basswood]], [[beech]] and [[birch]] are most commonly used, as their fine [[grain]] is not obtrusive. However, other woods, such as maple, [[pine]] or [[oak]], are also used.

'''Grain:''' Grain is the direction of the fibrous elements of the wood cells. This is important to sand with the grain. Also the grain can cause deviation from its intended path with use of woodturning pen unless the artist applies more pressure and burns slower on the grain.

'''Figure:''' This is the natural design, or pattern, that can be seen on the cut surface of the wood. The figure present on the wood should always be taken into consideration when the artist is planning their woodburned design.

'''Texture:''' There is a texture on the surface of that wood that feels either coarse or fine, even or uneven.

Woodburners typically avoid using very fine or intricate designs on uneven, coarse-textured wood. Softwoods are more apt to be fine or moderately coarse-textured.

'''Color:''' Woodburning is mainly used to enhance the natural beauty of a wooden project, so woodburners take precious care not to obfuscate a beautiful figure, grain, luster, or color by over-charring.