Hard goods
Laser Engraving
A laser burns your logo permanently into the material. No ink, no fading. The premium choice for metal, wood, and leather goods.
Laser engraving uses a focused beam of light to burn or etch a logo directly into the surface of the item. There is no ink involved, which means no fading, no peeling, and no color that can wear away. The mark is made in the material itself. On metal, the result is a clean, silver or brushed finish that reads as distinctly premium. On wood, it creates a natural charred contrast. On leather and leatherette, a warm, branded impression.
Best for
- •Metal drinkware: tumblers, flasks, and insulated bottles
- •Wood and bamboo accessories
- •Leather and leatherette portfolios and notebooks
- •Executive gifts and items gifted to senior team members
- •Logos that benefit from a refined, understated finish rather than color
Not ideal for
- •Plastic or coated items that do not engrave cleanly
- •Artwork with color: laser engraving is inherently single-tone
- •Items where cost is the primary constraint (laser runs at lower volume efficiency than silkscreen)
Laser engraving: the permanent, premium finish for branded hard goods
Laser engraving is the decoration method you choose when permanence and perceived quality matter more than color. The laser does not apply a layer on top of the material. It removes material or alters its surface chemistry to create the mark. On a stainless steel tumbler, that produces a bright, polished mark against the brushed finish. On a leather notebook cover, a warm, permanent impression. Neither will fade, chip, or peel.
The practical implication for branded merchandise is shelf life. A silkscreen-printed logo on a metal bottle may show wear after a year of daily use. A laser-engraved logo on the same bottle looks the same on day one and year five. For gifts intended to be used regularly, that longevity is not incidental. It is part of the value.
The limitation is color. Laser engraving produces a single-tone mark, typically silver, gold, or charred depending on the material. If the logo relies on color to communicate brand, laser engraving will lose that dimension. For color-sensitive logos, full-color digital or silkscreen printing are better alternatives. For logos that work cleanly in a single tone, laser engraving consistently produces the most premium result.
Most of our laser-engraved items come from the Goldstar catalog: tumblers, flasks, metal drinkware, and leather accessories. These are the products where laser engraving is not just an option but the decoration method that most accurately reflects the quality of the item.
Artwork requirements
File Format
Vector (AI, EPS) with filled, closed paths.
Color Mode
Black and white only. No gradients or halftones.
Resolution
Vector only. Minimum recommended logo width: 0.5 inches.
Notes
Engraving depth and contrast vary by material. Test on the specific item before full production.
Questions about laser engraving for your order?
We will help you confirm the right method for your artwork and quantity. Reach out and we will give you a straight answer.
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