How to Laser Engrave a Photo Using a Trotec Laser (Stand for Picture Included!)

This tutorial will guide you through the process of engraving an image onto a wooden surface using Trotec’s Ruby software and a Trotec laser cutter. Engraving with Ruby is straightforward and efficient, as this software is designed specifically for Trotec machines and provides powerful tools for image editing and laser control. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned laser user, you’ll find this guide useful for understanding how to get high-quality engravings on wood.

Although for this project you will need access to a Trotec laser, you can use many of the same principles learned through this guide with other laser cutters and achieve a similar result.

1. Trotec Laser Cutter
2. Computer connected to the internet (Ruby software is used through the cloud!)
3. Wood - Plywood, maple, or birch is commonly used for engraving, but you can use almost any hardwood.
4. You can use different types of materials like acrylics, but I found woods work best.
5. Image file - Choose a high-resolution image for the best results.
6. Protective gear - Safety glasses if required for your laser model. Make sure you have vents for the laser cutter and are safe from fires.

We begin by getting everything ready for the engraving and cutting process. You can start with selecting your photo(s) you want to engrave, decide on the material you want to use, and connect to the laser cutter.

1. Open Trotec Ruby and ensure you’re connected to your Trotec laser cutter.
2. Prepare your wood piece by sanding it lightly if needed. This ensures a smooth surface for engraving, which helps with detail clarity.
3. Secure the wood in the laser bed. Simply place it within the engraving area. Make sure the wood is flat on the surface; otherwise, the laser may not have the correct focus point and may not cut smoothly.
4. Focus the laser by clicking the up and down arrows on the laser at the same time the laser will autofocus the bed to ensure for correct cutting.

Now we will work with the Ruby software to import the image and prepare it for engraving. This is extremely simple and efficient with the intuitive user interface. First, we will just import the image into the software. Once importated, the software should color correct the image automatically into black and white.

1. Go to Ruby’s main interface and select the ‘Design’ tab.
2. Click on ‘Import’ and upload your chosen image. Ruby supports common file formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, and BMP, so choose an image that’s high resolution and in a supported format.
3. Position the Image - Once the image is imported, use Ruby’s positioning tools to place the image on the virtual canvas, corresponding to where your wood is on the laser bed.

Sometimes the automatic color correction does not highlight exactly what you want engraved, or will be too light for the laser to produce a good image. This can be fixed by using the Ruby software's adjustment tools. Click on your image and you should see a little pencil icon show up. This will allow you to edit the intensities of the image. You can just drag points on the line up and down and see how it affects the image. Remember the bright spots will not be touched and the dark spots is what the laser will hit. Also, this is the time to resize the image to the size you want. I used a width of a couple inches as I wanted it to be small.

IMPORTANT: To cut the image out you will need to place a red rectangle around the outer edge. Just use the shape creation feature in the ruby software to do so.

Now is when you should begin setting the material parameters for engraving. Measure the thickness of the material you are using and try to find a preset for the material. If you cannot find one, do a quick internet search for parameters. Below are some common steps you can try if you cannot find anything:

Material Database:

1. Open the Material Database and select ‘Wood’. Ruby will display predefined settings such as power, speed, and frequency for different types of wood.
2. For hardwoods like maple or oak, you may need to lower the speed and increase the power for a deeper, more visible engraving.

Engraving Settings:

1. Power: For an image engraving, start with around 60-80% power for hardwoods. Softer woods may only need around 50%.
2. Speed: A slower speed allows for more detailed engraving. Try starting with a speed of 30-40%.
3. Frequency: Higher frequency settings work well for wood; setting it around 500 Hz will typically yield a good balance of depth and clarity.
4. Adjust these settings based on the wood type and your desired engraving depth. Run a small test engraving on a scrap piece of wood if possible.

Make sure that the engrave settings are tied to the color BLACK and the cut settings are tied to RED

I have attached the drawing file I used to make the stand for my image. Feel free to download it and use it for yourself! I used a material that is 3mm thick, so if you are using something thicker you may want to edit some dimensions. Just drag the file onto the Ruby software and you will see them come in. Make sure to select all of the lines and change them to RED and a line weight of 1.

Add to queue: Begin the engraving process from Ruby by adding your job to the queue and then go over to the laser machine. Ensure there is no other job in progress and that yours is showing on the screen. Press the play button!

Stay nearby to monitor the progress, especially if you’re engraving a larger or complex image. Wood can sometimes produce smoke, so ensure your ventilation system is active.

Inspect for Quality: If you notice any discrepancies, you can pause or stop the job in Ruby. Adjust the settings if necessary and restart.

The laser will move back to its home when it is finished and then you can open the lid and take your art out. Wipe off the surface of the wood to get rid of any dust or soot. Using a damp cloth may help with this part. If you really like your product and want to you can use some sealant or oil to protect the wood and the image engraved into it.

Experiment with Different Woods: Different types of wood engrave in unique ways. For fine details, maple and birch provide excellent results.

Adjust Image Resolution: High-resolution images result in more detailed engravings, especially with intricate patterns or textures.

Use the Material Test Tool: Ruby includes a test tool that allows you to run small test patches to perfect your power and speed settings without wasting large pieces of wood.

Image Too Dark or Faint: Try adjusting the power and speed settings. Too much power can burn the wood, making the image overly dark. Too little power can result in faint engravings.

Misalignment: Ensure the wood is flat and securely in place. Ruby’s alignment tools help ensure the virtual and physical workspaces match.

Using Trotec’s Ruby software makes laser engraving on wood both efficient and highly customizable. With practice, you’ll be able to create detailed, professional-quality images on wood for signs, art, and more. Experiment with different settings, images, and wood types to expand your engraving skills. I learned how to use the software on my own for this project and made a fantastic product. The difficulty for me came in the grayscale adjustment. I initially did not adjust and had very light engravings, but I changed that and the image came out perfect. As we approach the holiday season this could be a perfect way to create a custom gift for a friend or loved one! Happy Engraving!