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DIODE ENGRAVING MENU
SHOP DIODE LASERS AND SUPPLIES
SHOP DIODE LASER ENGRAVING BLANKS
BENEFITS OF DIODE ENGRAVING?
Unlock intricate detail and unmatched versatility with diode laser engraving. Diode laser engraving uses a focused beam of high-intensity light, emitted from semiconductor diodes, to burn or etch designs onto a variety of materials. By concentrating energy in a precise spot, the diode laser vaporizes surface layers with pinpoint accuracy—perfect for detailed graphics, clean lines, and fast production.
Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, diode engraving brings your creative vision to life—fast, efficient, and brilliantly sharp. Our Glowforge® machines are compact and easy to operate, bringing professional-grade engraving to any workspace.
Versatility
Diode laser engraving works on many different materials—including wood, metal, glass, leather, and acrylic—making it a flexible solution for businesses, sign-makers, and hobbyists alike.
Durable & Permanent
The engraving is permanent—it doesn’t fade, wear off, or get damaged easily, making it ideal for personalized gifts, industrial tagging, jewelry, awards, and signage.
Precision & Detail
Diode laser engraving offers extremely high accuracy, allowing for intricate designs, small text, and detailed artwork on a wide range of materials.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
DIODE LASER ENGRAVING & CO₂ LASER ENGRAVING
DIODE LASER ENGRAVING
Diode laser engraving is a compact, affordable, and user-friendly solution ideal for hobbyists, makers, and small businesses. Using semiconductor diodes to emit focused blue light, diode lasers offer high precision for detailed engraving on materials like wood, leather, cardboard, and certain plastics. They are energy-efficient, require minimal maintenance, and are often easy to set up with plug-and-play functionality. While they typically have lower power than CO₂ lasers, their portability, long lifespan, and lower cost make them an excellent choice for engraving projects that don’t require cutting through thick or highly reflective materials.
SHOP DIODE LASERS
CO₂ LASER Engraving
CO₂ laser engraving, on the other hand, uses a gas-filled tube to generate infrared light, making it more powerful and versatile for both engraving and cutting. It can handle a broader range of materials—including wood, acrylic, rubber, glass, and even some coated metals—with faster speeds and deeper cuts. CO₂ lasers are often the go-to for commercial or industrial applications where performance and material flexibility are key. However, they come with higher upfront and maintenance costs, larger machine sizes, and more complex setups compared to diode lasers.
SHOP CO2 LASERSDIODE LASER ENGRAVER COMPARISON
Glowforge® Spark
- 8” x 12” work area
- 6W diode
- 1/4” cutting thickness
- Camera preview
- Auto Focus
- No passthrough
Glowforge® Aura
- 12” x 12” x infinite length work area
- 6W diode
- 1/4” cutting thickness
- Camera preview
- Auto Focus
- Passthrough slot for material
GET INSPIRED!
Unleash your creativity with diode laser engravers! Perfect for crafting personalized home décor, unique gifts, and custom designs on laser-friendly materials, these compact machines make detailed engraving more accessible than ever. Bring your ideas to life on wood, leather, acrylic, cardboard, and more—with sharp precision and clean results. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a small business owner, if you can dream it, you can engrave it and impress your customers with stunning, professional-quality work.
PERFECT FOR ALL CREATORS!
FOR CRAFTERS
FOR BUSINESSES
FOR EDUCATION
FOR SELLERS
START CREATING TODAY
Our FREE downloadable design files offer inspiration to help you on your creative journey with your diode engraver.
View All Project Downloads>
START CREATING TODAY!
Our FREE downloadable design files offer inspiration to help you on your creative journey with your diode engraver.
View All Project Downloads>
VIDEOS
Industry experts are ready to guide you through using Glowforge® diode laser engravers, sharing valuable tips, tricks, and techniques to help you get the most out of your diode lasers.
DIODE ENGRAVER RESOURCES
Our team of experts has years of experience and are ready to help you every step of the way. From installation to production, we make sure you get the most out of your diode laser engraving experience. Our friendly service team provides free, expert guidance and helps make suggestions as to the right materials and supplies to give you the best results possible!
BUILD YOUR DREAM BUSINESS!
Talk to one of our trained experts to make sure you get the right right equipment for your business! From printers to heat presses and everything in between, we’ll take the mystery and uncertainty out of the buying process and set you up for success!
CONTACT USLet our team of experts be your trusted source for diode engraving equipment!
When you purchase your equipment through JPPlus, you'll not only get FREE lifetime tech support but also FREE remote installation on select equipment.
Our friendly team of equipment experts will help get you up and running and help troubleshoot any issues that may come up.
CONTACT SUPPORT TEAMWhy Choose a Glowforge Diode Laser?
Diode laser cutters are ideal for beginner laser users, home crafters, and small business owners. Diode laser engravers offer precise marking for intricate designs, a small footprint, and accessible price tag as compared to other laser technologies like Glowforge® Pro or Flux Beambox II CO2 engravers.
The Glowforge® Spark and Glowforge® Aura are the perfect models for starting your diode engraving journey! Whether you’re crafting with wood, leather, or acrylic these small-but-mighty machines will help you create the projects of your dreams.
What’s the difference between the Glowforge® Aura and Spark?
Both the Glowforge® Aura and Glowforge® Spark are diode laser cutters. The Aura is slightly larger than the Spark Overall, we recommend the Spark Diode Laser if you’re looking to craft for leisure and the Aura for those who want more capability. The Aura also has a passthrough slot which allows you to cut material of any length.
What materials can I cut with a Glowforge® diode laser?
Diode lasers are powerful machines that can cut a wide range of materials like paper, leather, acrylic, and more! Pair your Glowforge® with any of our high-quality diode compatible materials and make the most of your diode laser cutter. Popular diode materials include:
- Aluminum
- Acrylic
- Wood, bamboo, birch, and leather-like sheet
- Slate coasters, tumblers, ornaments, and more
Can a diode laser cut clear acrylic?
Diode lasers shine when cutting opaque materials and marking metals. However, cutting clear acrylic with a diode laser can be challenging due to the way the laser light interacts with transparent materials. The laser beam tends to pass through clear acrylic rather than being absorbed, which makes it less effective for cutting. To overcome this, some users apply a coating or masking to the acrylic surface to enhance absorption and achieve better results.
If you’re interested in working with clear acrylic, it might be worth considering alternative laser technologies, such as CO2 lasers, which are more adept at handling transparent materials.
What’s the thickest material the Glowforge® Spark can cut?
You can cut materials up to 1/4” thick with your Glowforge® Spark, or 3/4” if the cutting tray is removed.
What can I make with my ® Spark or Aura?
The possibilities are endless with a diode laser! Some great starter projects for your laser include earrings, jewelry, signs, cake toppers, personalized gifts, wedding favors, and more!
Regardless of what technology you choose to use for personalization, the team at Johnson Plastics Plus is here to help you on your “maker” journey! We offer more than 100 how-to and product videos on our YouTube channel and numerous blog posts and free downloadable project files in our blog and product guides!
Accessories & Tools for Better Laser Projects
To make your crafting process easier and your creative projects shine, we recommend the following accessories and tools:
- Laser-safe masking tape
- Filters
- Make your projects the star with mounting supplies
Ready to Make More with Your Laser?
We hope to be on your list of potential diode laser suppliers! With over 50 years of laser-industry experience, you can trust you’ll get fast shipping, expert support, and high-quality product.
Helpful Resources and Tools for Beginner Laser Crafters and Engravers