Laser Engraved Water Bottles: Coated Stainless Bottle Project

Engraved water bottles follow the same process as tumblers: the laser removes the outer coating to reveal stainless steel. Bottles are often taller and narrower, so setup takes a little more care.

What you need

• Powder-coated or painted stainless bottles
• A rotary attachment that supports the bottle’s length and diameter
• A riser kit if needed for clearance
• Safety glasses

Steps

1. Remove the lid and any sleeves.
2. Mount the bottle on the rotary. Roller rotaries suit straight bottles; chuck rotaries hold tapered or odd shapes better.
3. Level the engraving surface if the bottle tapers.
4. Set the diameter in the software’s rotary settings.
5. Focus at the design area and frame the job.
6. Engrave, then clean residue with alcohol.

Bare stainless bottles

Uncoated stainless bottles are harder. A blue diode can’t engrave bare steel reliably. Use a laser marking spray for a black mark, or an infrared-capable machine. See can a diode laser engrave metal.

Settings

Start from the tumbler settings for your machine and test on the base of a spare bottle.

Ideas

• Sports team bottles with player names
• Corporate gifts with a company’s logo (with permission)
• Hiking bottles with trail coordinates
• Gym bottles with motivational text