How to use it

1. 1. Pick your laser and the material you will engrave photos on.
2. 2. Choose Dots (the usual way on diodes) or Greys (the laser changes its power for each shade).
3. 3. Download the chart for LightBurn and burn it on a scrap of the same material.
4. 4. Tap the square that looks best on your burn, fine-tune around it if you like, and save it as your photo settings.

What you can test

• • Photos on plywood, maple or cherry
• • Slate coasters and tile
• • Anodized aluminum tags and tumblers
• • Dark acrylic and leather

Questions

What does each square show?

The same small test face, with soft shading, a grey ramp, tiny numbers and very thin lines. The best square keeps the light shades, has clean darks without blotches, and keeps the thin lines apart.

What changes between the squares?

Down the chart, the resolution (DPI: how close the dots are). Across, the power or the speed. Each square is its own LightBurn layer named with its settings.

Dots or Greys?

Most diodes do best with Dots. Greys suit many CO2 and fiber lasers. Burn both if you are unsure.

Is it free and private?

Yes. It is free, and nothing is uploaded.

Is it safe to run?

Only on scrap, and only while you watch. Settings are starting points.

Something you'd change? Tell us what you make and we'll look at adding it. Requests often ship within days.

Try next: Engrave Preview, Test Grid Generator.