Laser and CNC
Kerf, material settings, AI artwork for engraving and the software around LightBurn, xTool and Vectric, with numbers you can test.
Laser and CNC
Laser Engraving Glass: Which Lasers Work and What Settings to Use
Laser engraving glass explained: why CO2 frosts it, why diodes need a coating, starting settings from xTool, OMTech and Epilog, photos, and safety.
October 8, 2026 9 min read
Laser and CNC
Laser Engraving Software: The Best Free and Paid Programs for Every Machine
Laser engraving software compared by machine: LightBurn, LaserGRBL, xTool Studio, Glowforge, EZCAD and RDWorks, with prices, file formats and free picks.
October 8, 2026 9 min read
Laser and CNC
Laser Engraving Tumblers: Rotary Setup, Wrap Sizing and Settings
How to laser engrave tumblers: which laser marks powder coat or bare steel, LightBurn rotary setup, tapered cups, wrap sizing, settings and pricing.
October 8, 2026 10 min read
Laser and CNC
How Much Does LightBurn Cost? Core vs Pro, Renewals, Trial and Free Alternatives
LightBurn costs $99 for Core or $199 for Pro, once, with a year of updates. Renewals, seats, the 30-day trial and free alternatives, checked October 2026.
October 8, 2026 8 min read
Laser and CNC
How to Make a Custom Relief Coin From a Photo
Turn a customer photo into a relief coin: diameter, relief depth, rim and lettering, then the STL or grayscale PNG your laser, CNC router or printer needs.
November 2, 2026 6 min read
Laser and CNC
Customer Proof Approval for Custom Engraving Orders
What a proof for a custom engraving, coin or plaque order must show, how to ask for a clear yes, and how to handle revisions without remakes or disputes.
November 2, 2026 3 min read
Laser and CNC
Photo to CNC Relief Plaque: Size, Depth, Border and Files
How to turn a portrait or pet photo into a CNC relief plaque: size, relief depth, base, border, lettering, customer approval and the files your CAM needs.
November 2, 2026 4 min read
Laser and CNC
Best AI Tools for Laser Engraving in 2026, by Job
The best AI tools for laser engraving and cutting, grouped by job: artwork, text, vectors, photo prep, depth maps and all-in-one apps, with their limits.
October 2, 2026 4 min read
Laser and CNC
Depth Maps for CNC Relief Carving: From Photo to Toolpath
How to prepare a depth map for CNC relief carving: resolution, depth, background, PNG or STL, roughing and finishing tools, stepover and common mistakes.
October 2, 2026 3 min read
Laser and CNC
Laser Kerf Explained: Measure It and Set the Offset in LightBurn
What laser kerf is, why press-fit joints come out loose, how to measure kerf with one test cut, and how to set the kerf offset in LightBurn.
September 21, 2026 2 min read
Laser and CNC
AI Prompts for Laser Engraving, Cutting and CNC That Actually Work
AI prompt formulas for laser engraving and CNC: cut silhouettes, line art, photo engravings, depth map reliefs and lithophanes, for Midjourney and ChatGPT.
September 21, 2026 2 min read
Laser and CNC
Laser Power and Speed Settings by Material: A Starting-Point Guide
Starting power and speed settings for diode, CO2 and fiber lasers on wood, MDF, acrylic, leather, slate and metal, and the test grid that dials them in.
September 21, 2026 2 min read
Laser and CNC
Free Halloween Lantern Laser Cut Files (SVG, EPS, PDF) for 3 mm Wood
Free laser-cut Halloween lantern for 3 mm plywood or MDF: bats, a witch, a black cat and a haunted house in SVG, EPS and PDF, with settings and assembly.
September 21, 2026 2 min read
Laser and CNC
xTool AImake: What It Does for Laser and Craft Files (2026)
xTool AImake review: how it works inside xTool Studio, what it does well, where it falls short, how credits work, and how it compares with other AI tools.
September 21, 2026 2 min read