LASER ENGRAVING
Custom laser engraving, in Farnham
Unique pieces in wood, acrylic, leather, slate or metal, precisely engraved in our Farnham workshop. Memorable gifts, personalized decor, plaques and corporate items made to last.
fabriqué localement
easy customization
production soignée
livraison au Québec
Understanding
What is laser engraving?
Laser engraving marks the surface of a material with a highly concentrated beam of light. By heating the material over a fraction of a millimetre, the laser darkens it, removes it or frosts it depending on the material, for a crisp, permanent design with no ink or paint.
Engraving
The laser works on the surface: text, logos, drawings or photos appear in the material without going through it. That is what personalizes an object. It’s our specialty.
Cutting
Here, the laser goes all the way through the material to cut out a shape (letters, silhouettes). We specialize in engraving: we personalize the surface of finished objects; we don’t do cutting.
Permanent
The engraving is part of the material: it won’t flake off.
Precise
Fine text, detailed logos and even portraits.
One at a time
A single personalized item, with no setup fee.
The process
How it works, in 4 steps
From your idea to the engraved object, every project follows the same path.
The design
It all starts with a file: your text, logo, drawing or photo, prepared and sized for the object.
Preparation
We choose the settings for the material: power, speed and number of passes. A test on an offcut of the same material confirms the result.
Engraving
The beam travels across the surface, line by line or along the outlines, marking the material wherever the design calls for it.
Finishing
We clean off residue and light smoke marks, inspect the piece and, on request, apply a protective finish.
Three things to know
Contrast
Engraving doesn’t add colour: the design stands out because it is darker, lighter or frosted compared with the material. The stronger the natural contrast, the more legible the design.
Fill or outline
The laser can fill an area (solid letters, solid shapes) or follow just a line (outlines, fine lettering). Filling is bolder and takes longer.
Depth
Depending on the material and the number of passes, the engraving stays on the surface or slightly hollows the material: you can sometimes feel it.
Our materials
Which materials can we engrave?
We engrave a wide range of materials, from wood to glass to metal. The right choice depends on the look you want, where the object will live and how it will be used. We do engraving only, no cutting.
Wood and bamboo
The design shows up in lighter or darker brown depending on the species; pale woods give the best contrast. Every piece is unique: grain, knots and tone vary.
Uses: Coasters, cutting boards, plaques, boxes, gifts.
Leather
Genuine leather, and PVC-free faux leather. Engraving darkens the leather for a classy, lasting look.
Uses: Logo patches and tags, keychains, wallets, accessories.
Acrylic
Clear or coloured. Once engraved, clear acrylic turns frosted white; black acrylic reveals a high-contrast portrait.
Uses: Plaques, displays, LED-lit name night lights, trophies.
Slate and stone
The engraving shows up light grey on dark stone: elegant and very legible.
Uses: Coasters, house plaques, memorial plaques.
Metal
Fine, permanent marking on stainless steel and aluminum; on painted or anodized metal, engraving removes the coating and reveals the metal underneath. Round objects too: tumblers, water bottles and glasses are engraved all the way around.
Uses: Insulated tumblers, water bottles, keychain tags, medallions, aluminum business cards, plaques.
Glass and crystal
Fine, permanent surface engraving with a frosted finish on glasses, jars and bottles. We can also engrave a design inside a glass or crystal block: it seems to float in the heart of the block.
Uses: Glasses and goblets, keepsakes, trophies, memorial blocks.
Ceramic
Fine, permanent marking on mugs, tiles and glazed items.
Uses: Mugs, decorative tiles, plaques.
Cork, plastics, paper
Cork with a warm look; common plastics (ABS, silicone) marked without melting; paper and cardboard for delicate engraving.
Uses: Cork coasters, cases, labels, cards and announcements.
At a glance
| Wood / bamboo | Leather | Acrylic | Slate | Metal | Glass / crystal | Ceramic | Cork | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Brown, natural | Dark | Frosted white or high contrast | Light grey | Fine marking, metal revealed | Frosted, or inside the block | Fine marking | Dark brown |
| Contrast | Good to very good | Good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Good | Good | Good |
| Fine details | Very good | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Very good | Fair |
| Photos and portraits | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoors (outdoors with a finish) | Indoors | Indoors | Indoors and sheltered outdoors | Depends on the item | Indoors | Indoors | Indoors |
| Every piece unique | Yes (grain) | Slightly | No | Yes (natural stone) | No | No | No | Slightly |
Materials we don’t engrave. As a precaution, we don’t work with PVC, vinyl, or faux leathers and foams of unknown composition: some release harmful fumes when heated. If your item contains them, we’ll suggest another option.
Which material for my project? 3 questions
Ask yourself these questions in order: the first “yes” points you in the right direction.
1. Will your item stay outdoors or in a damp place?
Yes Slate or metal: sturdy materials where the engraving is part of the material.
2. Do you want a bright, refined look?
Yes Glass or crystal, or acrylic for a plaque, a display or a night light.
3. Looking for a warm, natural gift?
Yes Wood, bamboo, cork or leather: every piece is unique.
Not sure? Describe your project in your request and we’ll recommend the best material.
Choosing well
What’s possible… and the limits
What engraving does very well
- Text and names, even in fine lettering.
- Logos and line drawings, reproduced precisely.
- Photos and portraits, rendered in a single tone.
- One-off personalization : each piece can carry a different name.
- Small runs for a business, an event or a wedding.
- Round objects : tumblers, water bottles and glasses engraved all the way around.
Its limitations
- A single tone. Engraving doesn’t add colour: the result depends on the material.
- Wood is alive. Grain, knots and variations in tone: no two pieces are ever identical.
- Very small details. Tiny text can lose legibility, especially on cork or slate.
- Low-contrast photos. A sharp, well-lit image makes all the difference.
- The shape of the object. Flat or round surfaces are ideal; very irregular shapes are not all suitable.
- Size. We engrave reasonably sized items; a very large project is assessed case by case.
Inspiration
Ideas to inspire you
Also: door and memorial plaques, trophies, name tags, Christmas ornaments, baby or wedding gifts.
Engraved coasters
Pumpkins for fall, sunflowers for summer: a matching set for your decor or to give as a gift.
Bamboo cutting boards
Animals, farm scenes, a cowboy hat or a quote of your choice: a one-of-a-kind board to use every day or to give.
Your pet’s portrait
From a simple photo, we engrave your companion’s portrait with their name, on a black acrylic plaque or a stainless steel keychain tag.
Name night lights
Engraved acrylic, lit by LEDs on a wooden base: the child’s name and favourite drawing light up at night.
Message medallions
Small gold-finish stainless steel medallions with a sweet word or a playful touch: “Famille”, “Bon voyage”, “Perds pas le nord”…
Businesses and promotional items
Your logo on insulated tumblers, slate coasters, aluminum business cards, leather patches or accessories.
Our engravings
Our engravings
A few pieces from our Farnham workshop. Every engraving is real; some photos are staged.
Pet portrait engraved on black acrylic, “Maya” 
Acrylic name night light 
Promotional items engraved with a company logo 
Leather patch with a company logo 
Slate coasters, wine and vine designs 
Bamboo board, Highland cow 
Stainless steel keychain tag, “Cloé” 
Wooden coasters, sunflower design 
Stainless steel message medallions 
Bamboo board, horses 
Bamboo board, quote 
Wooden coasters, pumpkin design 
Bamboo board, farm scene 
Bamboo board, owl 
Bamboo board, deer 
Bamboo board, rooster 
Bamboo board, cowboy hat
Before / after
From your photo to the engraving
An everyday photo is all it takes. We isolate your pet, adjust the contrast and fur details, then engrave their portrait with their name: a lasting keepsake in a single elegant tone.
- A sharp, well-lit photo, ideally in daylight.
- The whole animal or a clearly visible face, with nothing in front.
- The best possible resolution : send the original rather than a screenshot.
Custom
From your idea to the engraved object
A custom project moves forward in six simple steps.
- 1
Your idea
A text, a logo, a drawing, a photo or simply a description.
- 2
We talk it over
The object, the material, the size and the look you want. We’ll tell you honestly what will give a good result.
- 3
Proof approved
We prepare the design at the object’s scale, and you approve it before engraving.
- 4
Engraving
Your item is engraved with the settings validated for its material.
- 5
Finishing
Cleaning, inspection and, on request, oil or varnish for wood.
- 6
Delivery
Delivery anywhere in Quebec, or pickup in Farnham.
Already have the item? On request, we can also engrave an item you bring us (a glass, a water bottle, a case…). Write to us describing the item and its material, and we’ll check whether it can be engraved.
After engraving
Finishing and care
Finishing
- Every piece is cleaned of engraving residue and inspected.
- Cutting boards: we apply a first coat of food-grade mineral oil before delivery. Other wood or bamboo pieces: oil or varnish on request.
- The engraving is part of the material: nothing is painted, nothing flakes off.
Care
- Wood and bamboo: barely damp cloth, then dry right away; oil cutting boards regularly (see below). Avoid prolonged direct sunlight.
- Acrylic: lukewarm water and mild soap, microfibre cloth; avoid alcohol, glass cleaners and solvents.
- Leather: keep it dry; a leather care product revives its colour.
- Slate and cork: damp or dry cloth.
- Glass, ceramic and metal: hand washing recommended, with a soft cloth; no abrasive pads on painted or anodized metal.
Wood and bamboo cutting boards: oiling and care
We apply the first coat of food-grade mineral oil before delivery. After that, it’s your turn: a little regular care keeps your board looking great for years.
Why oil it?
Wood dries out over time and with washing. Oil nourishes it: it keeps the wood from drying out and cracking, and keeps the engraving crisp and high-contrast.
How often?
About once a month, or whenever the wood looks dry, dull or paler.
Avoid
The dishwasher, soaking, and vegetable oils (olive, canola, sunflower…), which go rancid over time.
How to do it
- Wash the board and let it dry completely.
- Spread a thin coat of oil with a clean cloth, along the grain, engraving included.
- Let it soak in for a few hours, ideally overnight.
- Wipe off the excess with a dry cloth.
For upkeep: Mineral care oil coming soon to our shop.
Time
How long does it take?
Engraving doesn’t take the same time on every item. The turnaround mainly depends on these factors.
The engraved area
A large filled area takes longer than line text.
Level of detail
A photo or a very fine design needs more passes.
The material
Some materials need several passes or a finish.
Quantity
Fifty personalized coasters is not the same as one.
Preparing the design
A logo to redraw or a photo to rework takes time before engraving even starts.
Your approval
Engraving starts once the proof is approved.
We give you an estimate when we discuss your project. An important date (wedding, Christmas, event)? Mention it from the start.
Myths and real questions
Your questions about laser engraving
Does laser engraving fade over time?
No. Engraving changes the material itself: it doesn’t flake like paint or a sticker. On wood, the contrast may soften after years in the sun.
Can the laser engrave in colour?
No. Engraving gives a single tone that depends on the material. That’s what gives it its natural, elegant look.
Can you engrave a photo?
Yes, on several materials (wood, slate, acrylic, glass, metal), in a single tone. A sharp, well-lit, high-contrast photo gives the best result.
Does the wood burn?
The laser heats very locally, just enough to mark the surface. Light smoke marks around the design are cleaned off during finishing.
Do all wood species give the same result?
No. Pale woods give stronger contrast; dark woods a more subtle look. And every board has its own grain.
Can I supply my logo?
Yes. A sharp file, ideally high resolution or in vector format, gives the best result. Otherwise, we can prepare it from an image.
Can you engrave an item I already have?
Yes, on request. Describe the item and its material, and we’ll tell you whether it can be engraved before you bring it in.
Do you engrave tumblers and glasses?
Yes. Round objects like tumblers, water bottles and glasses are engraved all the way around.
Do you do cutting?
No. We specialize in engraving: we personalize the surface of finished objects.
Can you engrave inside glass?
Yes. A design or text can be engraved in the heart of a glass or crystal block; the surface stays perfectly smooth.
Laser engraving glossary
- Beam
- The concentrated ray of light that marks the material.
- Engraving
- Marking the surface without going through it.
- Cutting
- The laser goes through the material to cut out a shape (we don’t offer this).
- Infill
- Engraving that covers an area (solid shapes, solid letters).
- Outline
- Engraving that follows only a line.
- Contrast
- The difference in tone between the design and the material.
- Proof
- The preview of the design to approve before engraving.
- Vector file
- A drawing made of paths that stays sharp at any size (logos).
- Frosting
- The matte white effect of engraving on acrylic or glass.
- Inner engraving
- A design engraved in the heart of a glass or crystal block, without touching the surface.
- Wood species
- The type of wood (maple, birch, walnut…).
Made here
Engraved in Farnham, Quebec
Every piece is engraved, cleaned and inspected in our workshop in Farnham, in Brome-Missisquoi. We reply in French, can adjust your project with you, and ship anywhere in Quebec, with pickup in Farnham. For businesses and organizations in the region (Cowansville, Bromont, Granby, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu…), we’re a local supplier for corporate gifts, plaques and promotional items.