Laser Engraving Tempered Glass

**Liesl Dexheimer** · 10-23-2018, 1:06 PM

Can tempered glass be laser engraved?

**John Lifer** · 10-23-2018, 2:03 PM

I have been told it's best not. I haven't actually tried, others may respond. Sandblasting is preferred along with Crystal.

**Liesl Dexheimer** · 10-23-2018, 2:12 PM

I didn't think so. Thank you for your response. I had told a potential customer I couldn't but then wanted to double check here on the forum.

**Bruce Volden** · 10-23-2018, 2:39 PM

I tried to use a glass cutter ONCE and it scored just fine!
Didn't break on the score line 'tho--but it shattered everywhere else!
I must have forgotten I took it out of an older storm door.

I know, nothing to do with engraving but, I am bored.

Bruce

**Mike Null** · 10-23-2018, 7:28 PM

YES. I do a lot of tempered glass and I use 3 passes at low power using an 80% black. My goal is a frosted look. I will do at least 3000 pieces annually, engraving just a logo. There are no do-overs and the logo must be perfect hence the third pass.

Tempered glass is not a problem but have your strategy worked out ahead of time.

**David Takes** · 10-23-2018, 9:49 PM

Yes, you can laser engrave tempered glass. I even sandcarve it, making sure I do not exceed a depth of 10% of the thickness of the glass. It's never been a problem.

**Joe Pelonio** · 10-24-2018, 9:06 PM

Our local bus system has leased engraving on the glass, I noticed, and it’s not as clear and sharp as on the polycarbonate panels.

**David Takes** · 10-24-2018, 9:34 PM

I could be wrong but a doubt a bus system would be doing something as permanent as laser engraving on their glass. You may be looking at the frosted vinyl that is used for the etched look on glass.

**Mike Null** · 10-25-2018, 7:52 AM

One of our local engravers had an ongoing job to engrave automotive safety glass samples for the glass manufacturer. This was quite some time ago so the technology may have changed.

**Liesl Dexheimer** · 10-25-2018, 11:53 AM

Thank you for the replies. At least I now know for the future. Does sound a little tricky getting the right settings so I guess I would need to practice and charge accordingly.

**Joe Pelonio** · 10-25-2018, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by David Takes

I could be wrong but a doubt a bus system would be doing something as permanent as laser engraving on their glass. You may be looking at the frosted vinyl that is used for the etched look on glass.

No, it’s definitely laser engraving (after 14 years I can tell) and it’s tiny, probably 10 pt lettering in the corner.

**Clark Pace** · 10-26-2018, 8:35 AM

Only 14 years. Wow your still New at this. Just kidding. Been engraving since 1999 myself and still learning stuff.

**Kev Williams** · 10-26-2018, 11:38 AM

Buncha whippersnappers

I engraved my first ID plate when I was 12 years old. I turned 64 in July...

And yeah, still learning

**Joe Pelonio** · 10-27-2018, 7:00 PM

Originally Posted by Kev Williams

Buncha whippersnappers

I engraved my first ID plate when I was 12 years old. I turned 64 in July...

And yeah, still learning

Cool, I turned 66 in July! I used a hand held electric engraver when I was about 17 to mark my tools for working on my car. Not pretty results, but I knew they were mine if someone “borrowed” them.

**Lee DeRaud** · 11-06-2018, 2:15 PM

Originally Posted by Kev Williams

Buncha whippersnappers

I engraved my first ID plate when I was 12 years old. I turned 64 in July...

And yeah, still learning

I'm 68 and did one at about age 10, so I've got you by about six years.
(A classmate's dad had a watch repair shop with a pantograph scribe engraver, or whatever the "official" terminology is.)

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