Lonestar Adhesive + Glowforge Pro

If you’re in the world of laser cutting or engraving, you’re probably already familiar with the beauty and versatility of Glowforge Pro. But when it comes to specialized materials, getting the settings just right can make all the difference. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to engrave Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette using the Glowforge Pro, and share the specific settings I used to achieve fantastic results.

What is Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette?

Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette is a popular synthetic material designed to mimic the look and feel of real leather. It’s widely used in crafting, apparel, and accessories because it’s durable, flexible, and easy to work with. The adhesive backing makes it even more versatile, perfect for applications where you want to stick the material to another surface after cutting or engraving.

When engraving this material with a laser cutter, you’ll want to adjust your settings to get clean, crisp engravings without damaging the material or causing undesirable effects like scorching or warping. That’s where the Glowforge Pro comes in—its precision and advanced features allow for beautiful engravings on materials like Lonestar Leatherette.

Glowforge Pro Settings for Engraving Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette

For this project, I used the following settings to achieve the best results:

• Speed: 700
• Power: 40
• LPI (Lines Per Inch): 225

Let’s break down what these settings mean and why they work so well.

1. Speed: 700

• Why Speed Matters: Speed refers to how quickly the laser moves across the material. A higher speed means the laser will travel faster, while a lower speed allows the laser to remain in one spot longer, making deeper engravings.
• Why 700 Speed Works: The speed setting of 700 is ideal for engraving on materials like Leatherette, as it allows the laser to cut into the surface without burning through or causing excessive charring. It strikes a balance between precision and speed, ensuring clean results without wasting too much time.

2. Power: 40

• Why Power Matters: Power controls the intensity of the laser. A higher power setting will result in a deeper engraving or more intense cutting, while lower power gives you more delicate engravings.
• Why 40 Power Works: The 40 power setting is optimal for engraving Leatherette because it ensures that the laser creates a clear and deep contrast on the surface without going too deep into the material. This setting gives a defined, dark engraving without scorching the leatherette or causing it to warp.

3. LPI (Lines Per Inch): 225

• Why LPI Matters: LPI controls the resolution of the engraving. A higher LPI means a finer, more detailed engraving, while a lower LPI can result in a more pixelated appearance.
• Why 225 LPI Works: A setting of 225 LPI is perfect for detailed engraving on materials like Leatherette. It provides enough resolution to capture intricate designs with fine lines and sharp edges. At the same time, it’s not so high that it creates excessive heat, which could result in warping or unwanted discoloration.

Step-by-Step Guide for Engraving Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette with the Glowforge Pro

1. Prepare Your Design:

   • Start by creating or importing your design into a design program like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Make sure your design is vector-based to allow for precise engraving and cutting.
   • Save your design as a compatible file (e.g., .SVG, .PDF) and upload it to your Glowforge interface.

2. Select Your Material:

   • In the Glowforge interface, select "Custom" under the material settings. Choose "Leatherette" or an appropriate substitute from the list. If your material isn’t listed, you can manually input the settings.

3. Place Your Leatherette on the Bed:

   • Position your Lonestar Adhesive Leatherette flat on the Glowforge bed. Ensure it’s aligned correctly, and use the "camera preview" feature to verify that your design fits on the material properly.

4. Adjust Your Settings:

   • Input the settings I’ve provided (Speed: 700, Power: 40, LPI: 225) into the Glowforge interface.
   • If you’re engraving a design with varying depths or areas requiring different levels of intensity, consider setting up multiple passes to ensure accuracy.

5. Start Engraving:

   • Once everything is set up, hit the "Print" button to begin the engraving process. The Glowforge Pro will handle the rest, carefully engraving the Leatherette to your specifications.

6. Check the Results:

   • Once the engraving is complete, carefully remove the Leatherette from the Glowforge bed. You should see clean, crisp engravings with minimal discoloration or scorching. If there’s any adhesive residue on the surface, you can easily clean it off with a damp cloth.

7. Post-Processing (Optional):

   • Depending on your design, you might want to add finishing touches like edge treatment or sealing to prevent fraying. Leatherette typically holds its shape well, but you may want to use a protective finish if you're planning on using the item in high-contact areas.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Scorching or Charring: If you notice that the Leatherette is scorching or burning, try lowering the power slightly or increasing the speed.
• Uneven Engraving: If the engraving isn’t even, check that your material is flat and free from wrinkles or bumps. You might also need to adjust the focus to ensure the laser is hitting the surface at the correct distance.
• Lighter Engraving: If the engraving appears too light or faint, try increasing the power or decreasing the speed to allow the laser to make a deeper mark.