Watch: Laser cutting and engraving fabric and textiles

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Fabric cutting and direct-to-garment etching are wildly popular applications for Epilog Laser systems. Depending on the fabric and the speed and power settings being used, a variety of looks can be achieved on all sorts of textiles.

What types of fabric are most popular for lasering?
Many types of fabric work well with the laser, though sturdier textiles like leather, felt, twill, canvas and denim do particularly well. Leather, twill and canvas result in a darker mark when laser engraved, whereas dyed cotton and denim result in an almost bleached look.

How does engraved fabric hold up?
Since the top layer of the material is vaporizing while engraving, the mark from a CO2 laser is permanent on textiles. How the material holds up during normal wear and tear will depend on the strength of the fabric and the settings used to create the mark.

Hearty fabrics, such as canvas, denim and leather hold up very well to normal use. Fleece is another material that holds up to washing and drying, provided the surface etch is very light. Knit fabrics (like t-shirts) are typically thin, stretchy and less durable than woven fabrics. They can still be laser etched, but the mark will need to be very light so it does not diminish the structural integrity of the material.

To see how Epilog Laser systems work on the most commonly used fabrics, contact Epilog’s applications lab for testing or to set up a hands-on demo!