Laser etching generally produces a black coloring.
Etching or engraving allows you to customize and personalize creations you make or gifts you get for others. A variety of engraving techniques are available to you, but laser etching is a common method due to its efficiency. Laser etching is done from a computerized laser machine programmed with the design or words you want to have engraved. Some machines allow you to produce colorful images so the engraved markings have a tint of color to them. If your laser doesn't offer this color setting feature, you can still change the etched color.
Instructions
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Start the computerized program for the laser engraving. Look for the "Properties," "Settings" or "Advanced Settings" options on the screen. Depending on the type of engraving machine you have, the color changing options will be in slightly different folders. Another place to look for it is in the print driver file folder.
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Select the tab labeled "Colors." This brings up a new window with a color display so you can program the machine to engrave the item with a specific color. Examine the color palette provided by the program. Click on the desired color or colors.
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Locate the tab for the laser's output control settings. This box is important because you need to tell the laser program to use the colors you just selected. Look for an option in these settings for using color and check the box. Select the "Save" button, and you are ready to engrave.
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Color over a laser etching if the engraving machine doesn't have a color settings option.
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Dip the point of a fine tip paintbrush into your chosen color of acrylic paint. Lightly brush the paint in between the crevices of the etching made by the laser engraver. Do not get any paint on the edges of the engraved area. This process takes hand control and focus.
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Allow the acrylic paint to dry for 10 minutes. Acrylic is a fast-drying paint. Review your handy work so far and continue painting small sections of the laser etching at a time. When you are finished, the acrylic paint adds a colorful tint to the engraved markings.
