Laser engraving (also referred to as etching ) uses lasers to engrave or mark an object. An acid or a similar chemical maybe used in order to create a finishing effect.

A computer system controls the laser head, much like a pencil, and controls the direction, speed, intensity, and spread of the laser onto the engraving surface. The trace of the laser beam is carefully adjusted to achieve a consistent finish. For example, criss-crossed paths are avoided to ensure that each etched surface is exposed to the laser only once, so the same amount of material is removed. This produces precise and clean engravings even with complex designs.

The technique of laser engraving does not involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface. As such, laser engraving can be used for a vast range of materials and can produce results that earlier would have been done by other processes. It is suitable to use on many materials: metals, leather, hardwoods, paper, plastics, etc