If you're nervous to laser engrave a full wrap tumbler, that's totally normal. I have some tips on how to get the best results without wasting a whole bunch of 40 oz tumblers along the way.
.jpg "8 Tips for engraving 40oz tumblers")
There's a learning curve, but I did it for you! Read on for the 8 things I learned while laser engraving my first full wrap 40 oz tumbler.
Before we get to what I wish I knew before I laser engraved my first 40 oz tumbler - along the way you'll find links to many of the tips. These links will take you to a more in-depth tutorial or video on that specific step. You'll also find a engraved tumbler supply list here which includes everything you need to start engraving tumblers.
1. Setting Your Up Your Tumbler for Full Wrap Engraving
In order for your 40 oz tumbler to rotate 360 degrees so it can be engraved on all sides, you'll need to not only take off the handle, but also push down the brackets.
Use a hex allen wrench to remove the handle. Then use pliers to carefully bend the handle brackets in.
This is important so the laser module can clearly pass over this area. You'll also want to make sure that the 40 oz tumblers is positioned on the rotary so that the brackets clear the rotary itself.
2. Wrap Design Dimensions
To make sure your engraving fully wraps around the tumbler, measure around the widest part of the tumbler. Enter that number into the perimeter field in xTool Creative Space.
Measure across the top as well and enter that measurement into the diameter field.
The length of the design itself should be the same length as the perimeter and the design height should be the same as the height of the cup (or shorter) if you want it full top to bottom.
3. Set Up Your xTool P2 Laser for Full Wrap Engraving
When engraving 40oz tumblers, remove the grates from the xTool P2 laser and place the tray in the 2a position.
By doing this, the top of the tumbler will basically be at the same height as where the grates would be if they were in.
The rotary will then sit on the tray. I found this height to be optimal for laser engraving tumblers that are wider at the top than the bottom.
4. Use the Rotary Chuck Not the Roller
Using the rotary chuck will allow a tumbler that has a handle to fully rotate. It is important to make sure that you have support on the bottom of the tumbler as well to ensure the tumbler stays level as it rotates.
The arms of the chuck should go inside the top of the tumbler to avoid covering any part of the outside of the cup where you want want to laser.
If you're never set up the xTool Rotary chuck this video will walk you through the full process.
5. Positioning the Rotary Chuck
Make sure the Rotary Chuck is squarely positioned on the tray in the xTool P2. I found using a small ruler to make sure both sides of the chuck were the same distance from the edge of the tray worked well.
6. Focus Position
When you set the spot for your laser to focus or measure, have it focus on the highest point. This would be somewhere along the wide part of the top of the tumbler.
7. Starting Position
In xTool Creative Space, the green line indicates the starting position. It should appear in the software directly at the top of the tumbler. This indicates where the engraving is happening. If the green line is directly at the top, as the cup rotates the engraving will always be at the highest point.
8. Use a Practice Cup
Be willing to sacrifice one 40oz tumbler to use as a practice up. I used this Save a Cup tumbler repeatedly to dial in the settings. Use the same cup over and over until you're confident in your engraving settings!
Once you're confident then go for it!
If you'd like to watch a beginner video of the full start to finish process for how to laser engrave your first 40oz tumbler, check out this video!
.png)
No comments
Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.
In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.