Editing Laser engraving (section)

=== Natural materials ===
The marking of organic materials like wood is based on material carbonisation which produces darkening of the surface and marks with high contrast. Directly "burning" images on [[wood]] were some of the first uses of engraving lasers. The laser power required here is often less than 10 [[watt]]s depending on the laser being used as most are different. [[Hardwood]]s like walnut, mahogany and maple produce good results. [[Softwood]]s can be judiciously engraved but tend to vaporise at less-consistent depths. Marking softwood requires the lowest power levels and enables the fastest cut speeds, while [[active cooling]] (e.g. a fan with sufficient airflow) inhibits ignition. Hard papers and fiberboard work well; linty papers and newsprint are like softwoods. Fur is not engraveable; finished leathers though can be laser-engraved with a look very similar to hot-branding. Certain [[latex]] rubber compounds can be laser engraved; for example these can be used to [[fabrication (metal)|fabricate]] inking-stamps.

Paper [[masking tape]] is sometimes used as a pre-engraving overcoat on finished and [[resin]]y woods so that cleanup is a matter of picking the tape off and out of the unengraved areas, which is easier than removing the sticky and smoky surround "halos" (and requires no [[varnish]]-removing chemicals).