What is the difference between raster and vector engraving?

Have you ever been at a table of peers in a different profession than yours and they’re “talking shop”? It can feel as though they’re speaking a foreign language with unfamiliar acronyms and words flying about. Or if you would have received a note that read, “LOL. OMG. TTFN!” in the years before the internet, you would have just assumed a cat walked across the keyboard.

Just as with the internet lingo and job lingo, when you learn a new trade, or start a new hobby there’s always a learning curve. There’s a set of lingo, phrases, and vocabulary to learn that start out as gibberish but once you understand, it will help you become a better maker.

So, if you’re new to the world of engraving or thinking about dipping your toe in the water. Welcome! We’ll help you decode the acronyms, words, and phrases that are often used in the world of engraving.

What is engraving?

First, let’s define engraving. There are two main types of engraving: rotary engraving and laser engraving. The difference between these two types of engraving is the method in which the material is cut or marked.

Rotary engraving utilizes a rotating bit to cut or mark material. When you rotary engrave, a rotating bit, or rotary cutter, etches or carves designs, words, or patterns on material. In this process, material is physically removed to create long lasting engravings on a variety of material including wood, metal, plastic, and glass. The spinning tool creates a variety of depths and textures. There are different types of cutters, or bits, that work with different materials. For example, this bit is designed to be compatible with cast acrylic and ideal for making ADA compliant signs. In contrast, this carbide drill bit is a different shape and diameter that is more suitable for engraving metal substrates.

Rotary engraving machines have been around for a long time and are either manually or computer-controlled, but both enable detailed, custom design and efficient high-volume production.

Laser engraving uses a beam of light to evaporate away material to mark or cut through the material instead of a rotating bit like with rotary engraving. Laser engraving is more precise and detailed than the rotary engraving process, allowing for more intricate designs, images, and text.

You can laser engrave a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, leather, glass, and stone. Depending on your preferred material, you can choose a laser with the appropriate bed sizes, power, and speed capabilities.

The bed size of a laser refers to the size of the laser engraving work area. Power, or watts, refers to the strength of the laser and it directly impacts the machine’s ability to cut or engrave material. Speed refers to how quickly the laser head moves over the material. Faster speed means quicker engraving, but may reduce the depth or detail. DPI stands for dots per inch. The higher the DPI the finer detail and a lower DPI number means it can engrave faster but will produce a less detailed result.

There are also different laser types. Two popular types include CO₂ lasers and diode lasers. The difference in the lasers is the type of laser beam the laser uses. CO₂ lasers are versatile and work well on non-metallic materials like wood, acrylic, and leather while diode lasers are often smaller, more affordable, and suitable for lighter engraving work.

Other important vocabulary to know when starting your laser engraving journey include focal length, lens, rotary attachment, and safety features.

A laser lens is a piece in your laser engraving machine that focuses the laser beam to a fine point and different lenses provide various focal lengths, influencing how the laser interacts with materials.

On some laser machines, you may have the option to add a pass-through or it may be a standard feature. This allows you to process materials that are larger than the work area by moving the material through the machine in sections.

Another add-on or laser accessory to familiarize yourself with is a rotary attachment. This is a piece of equipment that sits inside your laser and gives you the capability to engrave cylindrical items like bottles or tumblers by slowly rotating the item being engraved.

Additionally, laser engravers come with or support various design software options (like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or specific laser engraving software). Compatibility with different file types (such as .SVG, .DXF, .AI, .BMP) is important for creating and uploading designs.

Lastly, and most importantly, understanding the terms for safety features is incredibly important! Features like an enclosed design, emergency stop buttons, and fume extractors are essential for safety.

1. Enclosed Design: This means that the laser has a protective cover and that isolates the beam. It blocks exposure to the laser beam, protecting eyes and skin, and prevents any particles, sparks or fumes from escaping during the laser process.

2. Emergency Stop Button: Just as it sounds, the emergency stop button (or “E-stop”) is a red, easy-to-access button that instantly shuts down the laser and all machine movement in case of an emergency.

3. Fume Extractor: A fume extractor is a ventilation device that removes and filters out fumes, smoke, and particulate matter generated during the laser engraving or cutting process. Since some materials can emit harmful or unpleasant fumes when heated or burned, the fume extractor improves air quality and reduces health risks for operators. These systems typically use carbon or HEPA filters to capture particles and odors, preventing the buildup of hazardous gases and ensuring a cleaner working environment.

Each safety feature helps create a safe, controlled environment for laser engraving!

Now that you understand the basic terms used when discussing engraving, let’s explore what it means to raster engrave vs vector engrave. Whether you’re utilizing a laser or rotary engraver, there are two types of engraving you can accomplish with your machine: raster and vector engraving.

Raster engraving is the process of removing a layer of material to make a mark. In rotary engraving, the spinning bit is used to carve your text or designs but does not cut all the way through the material. In laser engraving, the CO2 or diode laser beam evaporates material to create a mark, design or text.

Raster engraving can be done on single, two, or multi-ply material. For single ply material, raster engraving marks or etches the material to create an indent to create the text or graphic. In two-ply or multi-ply material, the raster engraving etches or vaporizes away a top layer, or cap, of material to reveal the core, or bottom layer. So, if you are creating a sign using a Brushed Charcoal/White material, like LaserMax® LM122432, you will raster engrave to get the text. Your signs background will be black and the text will be white where you’ve raster engraved.

When raster engraving, consider the speed, depth, and power of your laser. That will give you different looks and will vary based on the material. You can also run a material test that helps you understand what setting will give you the looks you want.

Vector engraving is when you cut all the way through the material to create custom shapes or tags. So, to create the rectangle shape of the Level One sign, you would vector cut! The best way to remember this difference is when you make a ‘V’ with your fingers it looks like scissors and scissors cut!

Do you raster or vector engrave first?

Generally, you will vector engrave (or cut) after raster engraving. The reason for this includes precision and alignment, heat and material integrity, and design aesthetic.

1. Precision and Alignment: When you raster engrave, the bit or laser beam goes back and forth over your substrate. That scanning may cause minor shifts or vibrations and doing the raster engraving first reduces the risk or shifting any cutting work that follows.

2. Heat and Material Integrity: Raster engraving produces a lot of heat! This heat may slightly affect your material, particularly materials like acrylic that are more heat sensitive. By raster engraving first, you will have a firmer surface to cut, giving your more accurate and precise lines.

3. Design Aesthetics: By doing raster first, the material has a consistent, engraved background before any vector lines are added. This sequence helps create a clean outline and makes the final design look sharper, especially if the vector lines serve as borders or frames.

However, in some cases—such as when working with very delicate materials or extremely detailed vector designs—doing vector work first may be more effective, as it minimizes heat exposure and allows for precise cuts without any potential distortions caused by prior engraving.

Engraving is a timeless and versatile technique used for creating personalized designs, logos, and intricate patterns on a range of materials. If you’re just starting out, knowing the basics, from the methods to the terminology, can go a long way in helping you get comfortable with engraving, whether it’s raster or vector!