Which glass engraving machines for your needs?

Glass engraving delivers a permanent mark that resists dishwashers, heat, and time, offering a timeless personalization option. A CO2 laser beam or a rotating diamond tip applies text, logos or intricate designs directly onto the glass surface, without touching the product's contents.

Gravotech serves more than 40 brands and global retailers with a complete range of glass engraving machines, from compact laser stations and mechanical engraving machines suited for in-store use to large-format rotary engravers and laser tables, for wine bottles and magnums and batch engraving. With precision reaching 0.1 mm (0.04’’), each machine addresses a specific production context. The right choice depends on product size, production volume, and the desired engraving finish. Find out yours.

Advantages of glass laser engraving

Glass laser engraving offers the following benefits:

• Speed and silence: fast and quiet engraving processes, ideal for in-store personalization.
• High precision: achieve intricate designs effortlessly with laser beams as thin as 0.1 mm (0.04''), ensuring precision even with complex patterns. This enables detailed work, such as precisely filling in logos and text, and even engraving photos.
• Contactless engraving: ensure safety and the etched product integrity with contactless engraving, eliminating the need for jigs and minimizing the risk of damage.
• Versatility: a CO2 laser source allows to engrave not only glass but also various organic materials, eliminating the need for multiple machines.

Advantages of a rotary glass engraver

Using a rotary glass engraver offers the following benefits:

• Precision: achieve precise engravings with thin strokes, creating an elegant and visually pleasing result that reminds of handmade engravings.
• Enhanced results: incorporate gilding wax for a touch of color, enhancing the overall appearance and adding an extra layer of elegance.
• Versatility: mechanical engraving machines are capable of engraving various materials, eliminating the need for multiple machines and offering flexibility in your engraving projects.

🔽What is the best glass engraving machine? 

It depends on place and application. For in-store perfume and cosmetic personalization, the M20 X is recommended for its compact size and artisanal result. If you prioritize speed and fine logos in a retail environment, the WeLase™ (CO2) is the best fit. For larger items like wine or magnum bottles, the IS400 Volume with a heavy-duty rotary device is the industry standard for handling weight and volume. On the other hand, LS tables such as the LightSpeed 300 are perfect for an e-commerce environment, to engrave small objects or bottles with the rotary device, and to make a smooth engraving, even etching, similar to a sandblasted finish.

🔽Will the engraving technology heat cause the glass or crystal to crack?

No, the engraving technology heat doesn’t cause the glass or crystal to crack when properly configured. Laser engraving (recommended power of 30W with a laser CO2) only affects the surface and is contactless. For rotary engraving, the machine pressure is meticulously adjusted to the material. We recommend using engraving gel for mechanical processes to limit friction and heat, ensuring a clean result without micro-cracks.

🔽Is a rotary attachment or jig required for engraving curved surfaces? 

A rotary device is key for all-around marking on bottles and glasses to ensure a uniform result across the entire circumference. For non-cylindrical small items like perfume flacons, our specialized jigs are recommended to maintain perfect alignment and stability during the process. These accessories allow for seamless engraving on tapered, curved, or flat surfaces alike.

🔽Should "wet masking" techniques be used to improve engraving quality? 

Yes, a wet masking technique can be used to achieve a premium frosted finish. For laser engraving, applying wet paper or using the Halftone mode in Gravostyle™ helps disperse heat and prevents splintering. For mechanical engraving, using our engraving gel protects the glass surface and extends the life of your diamond tip, resulting in a smoother, whiter engraving.

🔽What is the advantage of glass laser engraving over traditional sandblasting?

Laser technology allows for much more intricate and complex designs with a precision of 0.1 mm (0.04’’). Unlike sandblasting, which requires bulky equipment and stencils, a laser station like the WeLase™ is compact, quiet, and can engrave letter by letter in seconds. This makes laser engraving the only solution for high-end boutique environments where cleanliness and speed are essential.