What can you engrave and cut with a laser? Wood, acrylic, leather and more
Our workshop in Saint-Siméon-de-Bonaventure is now equipped with a CO2 laser. It engraves and cuts a wide range of materials, from wood to leather, for one-off pieces as well as commercial orders. Here is what it makes possible.
Laser engraving opens a new line of work at the workshop. Where we have shaped solid-wood cabinets and furniture for decades, the laser adds the precision of fine marking on materials a rotary tool cannot reach.
This page covers what the laser allows: the materials, the objects, the machine itself, and how to order a piece. If you are looking for a personalized object or a small run for your business, you will know what to ask for.
Laser engraving, and how it differs from CNC engraving
Laser engraving uses a focused beam of light, with no contact and no tool that wears down. To engrave, the beam removes material at the surface with great precision: fine lines, text and images. To cut, it passes through the material and produces clean shapes.
Our workshop also does CNC engraving, where a rotary bit carves wood for relief patterns and sculpted signs. The two techniques are complementary rather than competing: you choose one or the other based on the material, the depth and the look you want.
- The laser: fine lines, text, images and cutting on many non-metal materials.
- The CNC bit: deep relief and patterns sculpted into solid wood.
- One workshop handles both, which simplifies projects that combine engraving and cabinetry.
The materials we engrave and cut
The CO2 laser works a wide range of non-metal materials. Each reacts differently, which opens varied results, from frosted engraving on glass to clean marking on leather.
Here are the main materials we work at the shop.
- Wood and plywood: engraving of text, patterns and images, plus shape cutting.
- Acrylic: clean engraving and smooth-edge cutting, for signs and objects.
- Leather: marking of logos and patterns on leather goods and accessories.
- Glass and slate: frosted engraving for coasters, plaques and decorative pieces.
- Bamboo and paper: light objects, cards and personalized packaging.
The objects you can have personalized
The same machine serves a single person's gift as well as a business's repeat order. Local demand centres mostly on personalized objects and signage.
A few common uses:
- Personalized gifts: cutting boards, boxes, frames, key rings, coasters.
- Weddings and events: place cards, table numbers, welcome signs.
- Plaques and signage: door plates, office numbers, interior pictograms.
- Promotional items: logos engraved on notebooks, pens and corporate gifts.
- Small runs: repeated pieces for shops, makers and artisans.
Our laser: an xTool P3
The workshop is equipped with an 80 W xTool P3 CO2 laser, with an engraving area of 915 by 458 millimetres. That power suits fine engraving as well as cutting, and the large format leaves room for small objects and sizeable panels alike.
In practice, this means a single project can gather several pieces on one work surface, and a single piece gets the machine's full precision.
- 80 W CO2 laser, for fine engraving and cutting.
- Work area of 915 x 458 mm, from small objects to large formats.
- Compatible with a wide range of non-metal materials.
How to order an engraved piece
Have an object, text or logo in mind? Tell us about your project, or bring your own object to engrave. We check feasibility, propose a proof, and confirm the price before starting.
Laser engraving at Atelier Multidécor
The laser joins the tools of our Gaspésie workshop, founded in 1994: CNC cutting and engraving, hand finishing, and the building of custom cabinets and furniture. One team, under one roof.
Have an object you would like engraved, or an order for your business? Tell us about your project and we will see together what is possible.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between laser engraving and CNC engraving?
The laser marks or cuts the surface with a beam of light, ideal for fine lines, text and images on many materials. The CNC bit carves wood for relief patterns. Our workshop handles both and chooses based on the project.
What materials can be engraved with a laser?
Our CO2 laser engraves and cuts wood and plywood, acrylic, leather, glass, slate, bamboo and paper. It does not work bare metal. If you have a specific material in mind, ask us and we will tell you whether it is suitable.
Does laser engraving resist water and last over time?
Laser engraving removes material at the surface, so the design is part of the object and does not wear off like a print. On wood, a protective finish extends its life, especially for pieces handled often or exposed to moisture.
What objects can be personalized?
The laser suits a wide range of objects: personalized gifts (cutting boards, boxes, coasters, frames), event decor (place cards, welcome signs), plaques and signage, corporate promotional items, and small repeated runs. If you have an object in mind, describe it and we confirm the material and the format.
Can I supply my own object, text or logo?
Yes. You can bring your own object to engrave and send us your text, your logo or your vector file. We work from your elements, or we help you prepare them. We then send you a proof for approval before starting production.
How much does laser engraving cost and what are the lead times?
The price depends on the object, the material, the size and the quantity. Lead times vary with the workshop's workload at the time of the order. We provide a quote and a custom schedule once you describe your project to us, before any production begins.
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