The Laser Engraving Blog

  • What is laser engraving?

Laser engraving is the action of using a laser to engrave an object. It requires precision and accurate measurement. You can choose almost any logo/image or text to be engraved onto most of the wooden products from our website.

Any questions or doubts, please message us and we will be happy to help.

  • My personal experience

When I started with Celtic Timber in 2017, I knew nothing about laser engraving. However, I have always liked the texture of the wood and the technology of the laser engraver and it has been very interesting to learn. Plus, I was lucky enough to have great teachers along the way.

The process itself can take a while, especially larger, detailed designs, but the interest is in the variety of knowledge it requires. Also, no two days in the job is ever the same as you have to deal with different kind of requests, products and designs.

After receiving the order of a customer, you have to make sure there are no mistakes or missing information and in general it is better to double check and discuss the final details (font, size) before starting the process.

Often, we have to use Photoshop to edit images and text to the match the customer’s requirements as closely as possible. After clarifying exactly what the customer wants, we ensure the surface of what is to be engraved is ready to be used (often cleaned/sanded). Some products (such as wine barrel lids, barrel tables etc) are made to order by our team and therefore the process is a little longer.

Our laser engraving machine is configured manually. This means that we have to line everything up perfectly by hand, and adjust the distance to the surface and size of the engraving by hand.

The deeper that the engraving is, the better in order to resist weathering and wear and tear. When the engraving part is done, the order might need some finishes (cut, routering, sanding or oiling) before being wrapped in protective materials, packaged and dispatched to the customer.

  • Is it possible to engrave on any material?

We are specialised in wood/timber. You can engrave “anything” but we are limited to a maximum diameter of approximately 30cm per burn. The surface of the material has to be quite “clean” such as our wine barrels, barrel kegs, wooden plaque, table, barrel lids, chopping boards, coasters, memory plaques, cheese boards etc. On the other hand, our whiskey barrels are up to 20 years old and therefore heavily weathered. Their surface colour is therefore too dark for any engraving to stand out.


Please, have a look at our website for more ideas…

  • How long does it take?

The length depends on the complexity of the order – if we need to discuss it with the customer, if the material has to be made to order, if an additional design work has to be done on Photoshop or if it requires any type of finish after engraving. Complex, made to order products can take weeks or if we have all the necessary information and if the material is ready to be engraved, it can be done in a day.

  • How much does it cost?

The price also depends on the product ordered and the complexity of the order as mentioned above. For instance, a house plaque is relatively easy to make and can be ready in a day or so. However, an engraving on a large round table will take much longer. We charge £20 per burn when engraving. If we are engraving in multiple places (for example, top and side of a barrel) then the cost of an engraving will be £40 and so on.

  • Can we engrave in different colours?

The laser engraving machine only burns into the wood and creates a contrast between the surface’s natural colour and the dark brown/black of the engraving. It will vary slightly depending on the depth of the engraving as well as the colour of the wood (every piece is different). However, you are free to choose the font/style that you prefer.

  • If you don’t have any ideas…

Have a look at our website, we generally deal with most of the customers wishes and feel free to come with any of your questions, we will be happy to help!


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