Photo Preparation for Laser Engraving

Most disappointing photo engravings fail before the laser ever fires. Contrast, dithering choice, and resolution decide whether a face reads at arm’s length, and the right answer changes with the material. This hub runs from raw photo to a file that burns predictably.

How to use this hub

Choose the closest workflow or material record, confirm that the source type and wattage are comparable to your machine, and then validate the result on matching scrap. Keep focus, lens, air assist, and material finish consistent. Change one parameter at a time and save the successful recipe so repeat jobs begin from evidence rather than guesswork. Treat every linked value as a starting point: material coatings, source age, optics, and machine calibration can move the usable result even between nominally identical systems.

Prepare the Image

Photo prep tutorial
Which dithering algorithm to use
Photo to laser engraving workflow
Open Image Lab

Depth & Relief

Faithful photo depth vs sculpted relief
8-bit vs 16-bit depth maps
Open Neural Relief

Get It On The Material

Wood settings quick reference
Material test grid starter
Reticle Red to LightBurn workflow