3 Reasons to Use Laser Engraving on Your Business Signs

If you're about to order new signs for the outside and inside of your offices, then you need to decide how the signs are made. If you're leaning towards using engraving, then a laser process is a good option.

Here, a sign company uses a computerised laser to engrave letters and designs into the sign's material. What are the advantages of taking this route?

1. No Collateral Surface Damage

If you use traditional etching or engraving techniques, then the cutting tool has to come into contact with the sign's material. It has to physically touch the material to create the engraving. This can affect other areas of the sign itself. Some tools leave minor abrasions around the cuts they make. While small, these abrasions can prevent lettering and lines from looking completely clean; they may dull some areas on metal materials. 

A laser engraves without physical contact. Its beam vaporises the cutting area but doesn't affect any other part of the sign. So, you'll get more precise and cleaner results.

2. More Flexible Designs

Some manual and machine engraving techniques have limits on what they can do on a sign. They can engrave lettering and some designs, but they might not be able to create more complex signs.

A computer guides the laser during this kind of engraving process. This allows for more creativity. The computer turns the design into a set of instructions for the laser tool. It doesn't have to rely on an operator or on the skills of an individual engraver. Plus, the results are always clean-edged and accurate.

3. Reduced Costs

If you have your signs manually etched or made with traditional machine tools, then your costs rise. For example, if someone engraves a sign by hand, then their labour costs go into your final bill. This can be a time-consuming job so these costs could mount up. Your costs may also include tool usage. Hand and machine engraving tools wear down as they are used. They'll ultimately need to be replaced. Companies factor these ongoing costs into their charges. You end up paying for some of them.

Laser engraving doesn't take much time at all. While someone has to operate the machine, the setup and laser process itself is very quick. Also, lasers don't wear out. Their machine parts tend to last longer. So, your overall engraving costs could work out cheaper.

If you think that laser engraving is an option for your signage needs, talk to local sign companies.