FAQs

What is laser engraving?

Laser engraving is a process that uses focused laser beams to etch or carve designs, text, or images onto various materials, including metal, wood, glass, plastic, and more materials. During this process, the laser vaporizes the material’s surface, creating a permanent mark that can range from fine, detailed artwork to deep, bold engravings. Laser engraving is fast, requires minimal setup, and works with many materials, making it versatile for both creative and functional applications.

What are the different types of laser engraving machines?

There are four main types of commonly available laser engraving machines currently on the market. These include CO2 lasers, Diode lasers, Fiber lasers, and UV lasers. They each have different operating characteristics and utilize different technologies to achieve their results. Understanding the different types of lasers used in engraving is crucial. 

What types of laser engraving machines are best?

That depends on the types of material being engraved and the desired outcome. Depending on the laser type, specific materials are better suited for use with a particular laser type. Each laser type offers unique benefits and applications. Each laser type is often mission specific to the type of engraving being done and the material being engraved. At Patriot Made Designs, we own CO2 lasers, Diode lasers, Fiber lasers, and UV lasers in-house to ensure we can meet the broad spectrum of our customer needs without issue. 

What materials can you engrave on?

Since we operate CO2 lasers, Diode lasers, Fiber lasers, and UV lasers in-house, we can engrave approximately 1500+ material types. Popular material types include, but are not limited to:

  • Woods
  • Glass
  • Crystal
  • Plastics
  • Textiles
  • Metals
  • Food
  • Papers
  • Ceramics
  • Cork
  • Rubber
  • Coated surfaces
  • Leather
  • Stones

What materials are prohibited from laser engraving on?

Any material that's classified as HAZMAT or is deemed unsuitable by Patriot Made Designs staff. If the materials below are laser engraved or laser cut, dust or gases may be produced that endanger the laser user or the functionality of the laser machine. Some metals may also warrant special considerations (Lead, Copper, Cobalt, Manganese, Nickel, and Chromium). Prohibited material types include, but are not limited to:

  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polyvinyl butyral (PVB)
  • Polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE /Teflon)
  • Beryllium oxide
  • Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
  • Fiberglass
  • Carbon Fiber
  • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Faux Leather containing Chromium or PVC
  • Any materials containing halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine), epoxy or phenolic resins

What are the requirements for customer supplied artwork?

To laser engrave your design properly, we must ensure the digital artwork file meets a few guidelines for best results. When in doubt, please contact us and we'll work with you to resolve any potential artwork file issues or compatibility concerns. Refer to these general artwork guidelines and considerations:

File Formats:

  • Vector file formats: AI (Adobe Illustrator), SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), DXF (Drawing Exchange Format), EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), CDR (CorelDraw), PDF (Portable Document Format)
  • Raster (pixel) file formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF

Vector based artwork:

  • Vector based artwork is ideal (we prefer SVG and AI files)
  • All vector shapes must have closed paths
  • The minimum text size accepted is 10 pts
  • The minimum line weight for artwork and text is 1 pt

Resolution, Sizing, and Considerations:

  • Images for laser engraving should have a resolution of at least 300 dpi 
  • Raster (pixel) based artwork should be high resolution, at least 1200px width or height
  • Artwork will be sized to fill 80% of the available space for engraving unless otherwise specified
  • Artwork placement can vary up 2mm (+/-)
  • Artwork should be provided in one color
  • Layered artwork should still be viewable in one color
  • Avoid thin spaces and lines between engraved areas as they could easily break off
  • The minimum width of white space should be at least 0.5mm.
  • Artwork may need to be inverted (a negative image) if the engraving is lighter than the underlying material (i.e. a white engraved  logo on a black metal business card)

Can you design my logo or artwork for me?

Sure! We offer design services in-house to assist you with creative ideas and graphic design. Simply contact us with a request! Take a look at our Services offered page for more information.

I have a firearm I want engraved. How does that work?

If the part you want laser engraved is the serialized portion of the firearm, you will need to ship it directly to an FFL in the Meridian, Idaho area. Please contact us prior to doing so! We'll work with you to secure your firearm at a recommended FFL near our shop. If your firearm part is not the serialized portion of the firearm, you may ship it directly to us. Contact us prior to shipping any parts to us, since we need to go over specific transaction details first. Once the parts are engraved, we'll ship them back to you (or your designated FFL if the parts are serialized). Again, do not ship anything to us without our written authorization!

Once my custom order is placed, what can I expect?

After you place your custom order with us, we'll evaluate customer supplied artwork if needed or create new artwork if requested. An artwork proof will then be sent to you via email for approval. Three free artwork revision requests will be honored. Any artwork revision requests after the initial three will be charged $25 per request. Once you approve of the proof artwork document, your project will move from the concept to pre-production phase. Any materials needed will be sourced (by us or by you) and we'll build any jigs, fixtures, or required tooling that's required. Your project will then be slotted for production, according to our current job process schedule. Your project will enter into the production phase once all materials are on hand, tooling is configured, and your job kitted for engraving at the associated laser station. After the engraving is complete, your items will be packaged and shipped to you or delivered locally (if pre-arranged). 

We aim to process and prepare your order for shipment within two business days of receiving it, for items that are in stock. For customized products, expect the lead time to vary based on blank type and complexity of the work to be performed. In general, most customized products will ship within 14-21 business days of receiving the order. Please note that orders placed on weekends or holidays will begin processing on the next business day. If at any point in the post-ordering process you would like an update, please contact us and we'll let you know the order status.

What happens if I have an issue with a product I received from you?

We ask you to contact us immediately, prior to taking to social media or forums. We offer a satisfaction guarantee, so we'll take whatever measures are needed to resolve any product issues that may arise. If your product was damaged in shipping, please let us know and we'll address it on our end prior to handling the matter with the carrier. 

Can I cancel or change my order?

Please refer to our Return and Refund policy.

Do you offer any discounts or sales?

We offer a discount for Military and First Responders using GovX verification, which is located in the shopping cart once items are purchased. We also offer discounts for charity events, per our Services offered page. For trade shows, fairs, and similar in-person live events, we offer on-site discounts and promotions. Seasonal sales are also offered during the year. Bulk orders are rewarded with a discount, dependent upon the order.

Do you offer custom hats?

We offer custom baseball cap style hats/caps for bulk orders only. Contact us for your specific needs. We supply the finished hats with your custom patches (one stop shop).

Do you offer any expedited laser engraving services?

Yes, of course! Need a big order of personalized items in a couple of days? Let us know what you have in mind and we'll work with you to make it happen. 

Are all of your products on your website?

No, not even close. We have a limited group of products on our website, but actually offer thousands of additional personalized products. Let us know what you're looking for and we'll source the materials you want for laser engraving. We actually prefer customers contact us with requests, in lieu of uploading hundreds of products to our website. We're a service based organization, not a product based organization. We're here to satisfy your laser engraving needs by offering you value based timely solutions.