Material
Laser Engraving Powder-coated stainless tumbler: Diode Settings by Machine
The laser strips the powder coat to reveal bright stainless steel. Needs a rotary and high power with a fine line interval.
How a diode laser handles powder-coated stainless tumbler
A blue diode cannot engrave bare steel, but it burns the coating off easily. The design appears as bare metal against the colour. Coatings differ by supplier: some lift cleanly, others leave a haze that needs wiping. The tumbler turns on a rotary so the design wraps around.
Before you start
- Mount on a rotary and enter the tumbler's diameter in the software
- Level tapered tumblers so the engraving band is flat to the laser
- Focus at the engraving area and keep designs within the band that stays in focus
- Wear goggles: exposed steel reflects the beam
Starting points, not gospel. Rows marked “starting point” come from manufacturer tables and community results. Run a small power/speed test grid on your own sheet before a real job — batch, humidity and focus all shift the result.
| Module | Job | Thickness | Power | Speed | Passes | LPI | Air | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10W | EngravePowder-coated tumbler on rotary; strips coating to bare steel | — | 90% | 1500 mm/min | 1 | 250 | — | Starting point |
| 20W | Engrave | — | 70% | 2000 mm/min | 1 | 250 | — | Starting point |
| 22W | Engrave | — | 70% | 2000 mm/min | 1 | 250 | — | Starting point |
Tips
- Test on the base of a spare tumbler from the same supplier
- Add a second pass rather than slowing down a lot if coating remains
- Clean residue with isopropyl alcohol
Frequently asked questions
Can a diode laser engrave a bare stainless tumbler?
Not reliably. Use a powder-coated tumbler, a marking spray on bare steel, or an infrared-capable machine.
Why is my design stretched on the tumbler?
The diameter in the rotary settings is wrong, or the rotary's steps-per-rotation isn't calibrated. Measure the tumbler at the engraving band.