Engrave (Etch) on Clear Acrylic with a Diode Laser

Today I share with you one method of engraving (etching) clear acrylic using a diode laser with the help of Tempera paint. This method does and OK job on clear acrylic however this same method on glass looks amazing. The trick is to have a smooth paint job.

▬ Contents of this video ▬
0:00 Intro
0:20 Diode Lasers and Acrylics
1:05 Supplied Needed
1:25 My XCS Design
2:01 Prepare Your Acrylic
2:20 Painting Acrylic with Tempera Paint
3:19 Setup Your M1 and Engrave Your Project
6:16 Project Explanation and Tips
7:45 Etched Glass Example
8:22 Finishing Up the Project
9:34 The Final Reveal

▬ Products Shown ▬
Product Shown in this video:

▬ Additional Links for your M1 ▬

▬ Monkey Woodworks ▬
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**** About Monkey Woodworks and More ****
Monkey Woodworks and More is a channel about reviews and how-to's. The products and ideas here are mostly centered around Monkey Woodworks along with some gadgets and home use products as well. We are a home-based husband and wife team that specialize in yard art, stove covers, porch signs, and home decor for all occasions.

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[jenniferbell]

Thanks so much for that spreadsheet! I was just saying I needed to start a notebook!

[sirenofsound]

I think that's a great ornament and very lovely with making it completely from scratch. Thank you for the awesome tutorial- I was gifted a diode laser for Christmas and can't wait to nail this technique. 💚🧜‍♀️💜

[huythangka]

Great video and helpful, cant waiting to get my laser and try it

[MadsaxBrewery]

Thank you! I have tried several other techniques for acrylic engraving. Yours works way better than the others.

[MadsaxBrewery]

Just made one like this but by air brushing the layers of black paint instead of brush. Worked much better. Got a beautiful engraving.

[krystalbean]

Absolutely love learning from watching your videos. I've learned so much. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos so well. You are awesome!

[andyanand]

Finally, Thank you ever so much for the Special video. What a Nice way to End the 2022. Thank you once again

[abesalah]

Thank you Mike for the info I learned alot from your videos on fb and YouTube

[denniscoddington]

Another GREAT video. Thanks Michael and Merry Christmas.

[invinciblemuffi]

Nice video. Waiting to try out this technique

[charlottemcrae]

Thank you for all your videos. I am new to laser and have learned so much the last couple of days watching your videos. Easy to understand. Thank you !!!!

[jillcorcoran]

Would love to do my sister's this coming Xmas.

[brandithompson]

Very nice! Thanks for the cheat code 😃

[markpile]

hi can I just check does the painted surface go on top or the bottom thanks your videos are very good thank you for sharing your knowledge

[jaytolbert]

Michael, I absolutely love all of your videos on the M1. I'm new to lasering and have now run into a problem attempting to cut acrylic. I used the recommended settings based on XTools material list (opaque green, shiny, 3mm) According to the recommended settings Power=100, Speed=3 and Passes=3. When I use this configuration it doesn't cut and barely scratches the surface. Any recommendations? Thanks!! 🤞

[cd]

Great video! Why do you put aluminum foil ? Can I lay it on the honeycomb?

[charlesm.]

Great video. I have been working with clear acrylic also. I didn’t think of putting multiple layers of the tempera pain and thinning the paint. I will have to try your method.

[duster.]

Great video sir. Expertly described. Subbed, Bob in the UK

[kd-CarvingAway]

Good job on this video - Clear and concise. 3 Questions...
Did you focus on the top or bottom of the acrylic?
What type of acrylic & thickness?

[terryhay]

Thanks @MonkeyWoodworks for the video and the great ideas. I was just about to throw away the idea of getting a diode laser for my Genmitsu 4040 because I want to engrave text on white acyrlic and everyone said it can't be done!! But looking at what you have done, proves that is not the case. Now, the Tempura paint allows it to be easily removed post lasering. But can you confirm or at least offer a possibility that if you don't want the paint to be removed post laser, then aerosol spray can paint would work? What I am doing is building a flight simulator and I need to create the grey panels and etch the white text on them. Many of the other cockpit builders out there are using the CO2 laser but it's just a bit rich for my blood so I was looking for a more economic solution. So I was wondering, if I should adopt your technique but modified to use a medium grey matt (aircraft panel colour) spray paint and then laser etch on top of that? The paint doesn't have to be removed afterward, in fact it would be rather super if it never came off at all!! If you think this is a possibility, then I might reconsider getting a diode laser module. Thanks in advance👍👍 Terry, Auckland, New Zealand