Adding a text, a logo or a picture on glass is necessary for personalizing a lot of different items: 

• On wine glasses, beer glasses, champagne flutes, or bottles for a gift, for a special event, or as a promotion tool. 
• On perfume flasks or candles. 
• On mirrors or jars for decoration. 
• On trophy or awards. 
• On photo frame. 

It can also be used for other purposes, like windows signage or identification on glasses.

Glass can be marked in different ways: printing, serigraphy, sandblasting, manual carving machine, engraving with a laser or with a rotary machine. 

Engraving is the best method to use with most types of glass, and will last, even after several washes in the dishwasher.  

Laser engraving roughens the worked surface

Engraving on glass will only affect the surface of the material and “roughen” it. The result is a very nice frozen aspect that enhances the item. Other aspects can be obtained with a laser by playing with the parameters.  

Laser engraving roughens the worked surface, while rotary diamond engraving hollows out the material to deliver a thinner engraving while maintaining its transparency. 

Difference between laser engraving (left) and rotary engraving (right)

Even if glass engraving is colorless, adding colors to the engraved design is possible by applying different colorants, also offered by Gravotech. This is ideal to get a golden engraving on a wedding glass for instance. 

Engraved color letters on wine bottles

Laser will create your photo on the glass, line per line, creating a special moment for your customer. Custom glass engraving is a very valuable business, both technologies will ensure a fast return on investment. 

Glass laser engraving  

Glass laser engraving specificities 

Laser is particularly recommended for photo or logo engraving, as the results are spectacular and even the smallest detail can be engraved on glass.

Gravotech laser engraver can engrave images onto glass in detail

The most popular accessory of our glass engraving machine is the rotary device, as it will allow the laser to engrave all around circular items by automatically rotating them on 360°. Note that glass cannot be cut by a laser. 

Rotating device helps you engrave cylindrical and circular objects

Contactless engraving technology 

Engraving glass with a laser avoids the risk of breaking the product or the tool. This contactless technology ensures safe engraving, even on the thinnest glass and it is quiet. However, cracks naturally appear when glass is lasered, depending on the glass quality (crystal is usually crack free).

Engrave trophy with laser engraving machine

To reduce unwanted cracks, we recommend laying wet paper on the glass being processed before lasering it. This will improve the heat dissipation and therefore reduce cracked effects. When using this technique, do not forget to turn off the air assist to avoid drying the paper.

Glass laser engraving: several finishes available 

BBy playing with the focal distance and laser power, different aspects can be obtained with laser. Depending on the result you want, the laser parameters will be adapted automatically thanks to our Gravostyle™ software library. It allows the user to process: 

• White engraving 
• Deep engraving with the possibility to add color inside after (see Gravotech colorants catalog) 
• Frosted engraving 
• Light unpolished engraving 

Glass engraving with a rotary engraving machine

Traditional engraving for every type of glass 

Rotary engraving will result in a light engraving, looking like a traditional manual engraving. Rotary engraving is ideal for vector engraving, calligraphic text and outline logos.

A diamond tip physically engraves the material. It ensures a perfect result whatever the glass composition. Adding lubricant avoids microcracks and leads to a fine and clear engraving.

Mechanical engraving on glass

Color fill your glass engraving 

Depending on the pressure applied on the glass, the engraving can be deep enough to be filled with color or it can be light and create a scratched effect that only affect the surface of the glass. 

Upgradable glass engraving machines 

Rotary engraving machines are cheaper than lasers, also, there is no need for an air exhaust (contrary to the laser) the maintenance cost is low and the return on investment is faster. Rotary engraving is a compact solution and designed to be used in-stores. They are very popular to personalize small items like flasks in person to create an unforgettable moment for your customers. 

Rotary engraving machines can be easily upgraded to open new possibilities. For instance, with a rotary device you may engrave on circular items or with a lubricant tray to retrieve glass dust carried by the lubrication system.