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Is higher DPI always better when it comes to laser engraving? Many people assume that cranking up the DPI (dots per inch) setting guarantees better engraving results—but that's not always true.
In fact, choosing the wrong DPI can lead to burnt materials, wasted time, and poor engraving quality—especially if you're working with delicate surfaces like wood, leather, acrylic, or glass. So, how do you set the best DPI for your laser engraving project?
In this post, you'll learn everything you need to know about DPI in laser engraving: what it means, why it matters, how to test and select the right value for different materials, and how to set it correctly in your laser software. Whether you're using a CO₂ laser cutter or a fiber marking machine, this guide is designed to help you optimize your engraving quality and efficiency.
| DPI Setting | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150–300 DPI | Wood, Leather | Fast processing, minimal burning | Lower detail |
| 400–600 DPI | Acrylic, Painted Metals | Good balance of detail and time | Slightly longer time |
| 700–1000+ DPI | Glass, Stone, Photo Engraving | High detail, photorealistic results | Long processing time, material risk |
Rule of Thumb: Start low and test up. Higher DPI = better detail, but slower speed and potential for damage.
DPI (Dots Per Inch) refers to the number of laser pulses or "dots" engraved per inch of material in a single pass. In laser engraving, DPI determines how densely the laser marks the surface.
Unlike printers, a laser engraving machine uses focused energy to burn or vaporize material. So, while higher DPI can mean higher image resolution, it also means more laser passes, more heat, and longer processing times.
At 1000+ DPI, the laser fires thousands of times in a single inch—this can make photo engravings on materials like glass or anodized aluminum look amazing, but it can also over-burn wood or melt plastics.
Important: Every material responds differently, so DPI settings must be tailored to the project.
Choosing the right DPI in laser engraving affects:
Engraving Quality – Higher DPI creates smoother gradients and finer details.
Engraving Speed – More dots per inch means slower jobs.
Material Behavior – Some materials can't handle high DPI due to heat buildup.
Durability and Finish – Deep engravings may suffer from charring or loss of contrast at high DPI.
Machine Wear – Higher DPI can increase wear on laser components over time.
One of the most effective methods to determine the best DPI for a given material is to create a test grid. This grid consists of:
Rows of varying DPI values (e.g., 150, 300, 500, 700, 1000)
Columns of different power/speed combinations
| Test Grid Example | Power 20% | Power 40% | Power 60% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 DPI | ✔️ Fast | ✔️ Clean | ❌ Too dark |
| 300 DPI | ✔️ Good | ✔️ Better | ❌ Burnt edges |
| 500 DPI | ❌ Light | ✔️ Clean | ✔️ Deep detail |
| 700 DPI | ❌ Weak | ❌ Overburn | ✔️ Photographic |
| 1000 DPI | ❌ Fuzzy | ❌ Slow | ✔️ Very fine |
Use test grids on scrap material to avoid costly mistakes.
Ask yourself:
Do I need high-detail engraving (e.g., portraits on acrylic)?
Or do I need fast, functional markings (e.g., barcodes on cardboard or wood)?
| Application | Recommended DPI |
|---|---|
| Logo on wood | 300 DPI |
| Serial number on metal | 400–600 DPI |
| Photo on glass | 800–1000 DPI |
| Paper cutting | 150–300 DPI |
| QR code marking | 500–600 DPI |
Different materials react differently to laser pulses. Here's a quick guide:
| Material | Suggested DPI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | 250–400 | Higher risk of charring |
| Acrylic | 400–600 | Smooth, clean engraving |
| Glass | 600–1000 | Use wet paper towel to reduce cracking |
| Paper | 150–300 | Avoid burning edges |
| Metal (coated) | 500–700 | Use high contrast DPI |
| Leather | 300–500 | Watch for edge burning |
Start low (e.g., 300 DPI), then increase based on test results.
Use bitmap dithering for grayscale images at mid-range DPI.
Avoid high DPI on soft materials like balsa wood or cardboard.
Use air assist and good ventilation to reduce burn marks at high DPI.
Most laser software (e.g., RDWorks, LightBurn, EzCAD) allows you to set DPI under the engraving parameters or image settings section.
Import your image.
Select the image and go to "Cut Settings Editor".
Under the "Image Mode", choose Dither, Grayscale, or Threshold.
Set the DPI (100–1000).
Adjust power and speed accordingly.
Import your bitmap or vector file.
Open the "Layer" settings.
Set Scan Mode and enter DPI in the Scan Gap field (which inversely determines DPI).
Scan Gap = 0.1 mm ≈ 254 DPI
Scan Gap = 0.05 mm ≈ 508 DPI
Adjust power and speed.
Import image or design.
Use "Hatch" settings for vector fills.
For images, use "Bitmap" settings to define DPI.
Set line spacing (like scan gap) to adjust resolution.
Pro Tip: Keep your laser lens clean—high DPI jobs rely on precise beam focus.
Setting the best DPI for laser engraving isn't about always choosing the highest number—it's about balancing detail, material behavior, and processing time. By conducting test grids, observing how your material responds, and fine-tuning your settings in laser software, you can achieve optimal engraving quality every time.
Whether you're engraving a photo on acrylic, marking a barcode on anodized aluminum, or personalizing gifts on wood, the right DPI setting will help you stand out. And if you're looking for professional laser engraving machines, Ray Fine Tech offers a full range of CNC laser systems with customizable options for every application.
Need help choosing the right laser system? Contact Ray Fine Tech for expert guidance and support.
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many laser pulses are made within one inch of material, affecting the resolution and detail of the engraving.
Not necessarily. Higher DPI can give better detail but may cause overheating, longer job times, and material damage.
Typically between 250–400 DPI, depending on the wood type and image detail.
Photos usually require at least 600–1000 DPI for good results, especially on smooth surfaces like acrylic or glass.
Use a test grid that varies DPI, power, and speed to determine the best combination.
It can burn the material, take too long, and reduce overall contrast or clarity.
No, soft materials like fabric should be engraved at lower DPI (100–300) to prevent damage.
In laser engraving, DPI affects resolution, but image quality also depends on artwork clarity and material suitability.
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