Laser Engravers for Awards and Trophy Shops
Awards shops engrave plaques, acrylic and glass awards, tumblers and name badges, usually on a deadline. Here is the laser setup that keeps up.
How awards shops use a laser
An awards shop runs on short jobs with personal details. Twenty plaques for a hockey banquet, each with a different name. One crystal award for a retirement on Thursday. Forty tumblers with a company logo for a golf tournament. The laser does most of that work, and turnaround is what customers remember.
Most shops start with a CO₂ laser. It engraves wood, two-ply plastic, acrylic, glass and leatherette, and it removes the powder coat on tumblers. A rotary attachment adds glasses, bottles and drinkware. Shops that do a lot of drinkware or metal often add a fiber galvo next to it for speed.
Typical jobs
- Wood plaques, either with an engraved plate or engraved directly on the face
- Plaque and trophy plates on Rowmark two-ply and LaserGloss
- Cast acrylic awards, reverse-engraved and cut to shape
- Glass and crystal awards, frosted on the surface
- Powder-coated tumblers, mugs and water bottles on a rotary
- Name badges and LaserMark metallic plates
- Batches of personalized plates merged from a name list
Materials that work
- Rowmark two-ply and LaserGloss
The standard for plaque plates, trophy plates and name badges. The laser engraves through the cap to a contrasting core and cuts the plates out on the same machine.
- Rowmark LaserMark
A brushed metallic look in gold, aluminum, bronze and copper tones, at the weight and cost of plastic. Used for plaque plates and badges.
- Hardwood plaques
Alder, cherry and walnut engrave cleanly. Mask the face first if you plan to colour-fill the engraving.
- Cast acrylic
Engraves frosty white and cuts with a polished edge. Engrave the back so the mark shows through a clean front.
- Glass and crystal
A CO₂ laser frosts the surface. A lower resolution gives a smoother, more even frost.
- Powder-coated drinkware
A CO₂ laser removes the coating to show the steel underneath. A fiber galvo does it faster.
Not sure about a material? Check the laser-safe materials guide.
Setups we usually recommend
- 1
Smaller shop
A Fusion Ascent 12 or 24 handles plates, badges, plaques, acrylic and glass. Add the rotary attachment for drinkware and a FiltraBox extractor for plastic and wood fumes.
- 2
Production shop
A Fusion Pro 24 or 36 engraves faster and holds more plates per job, which matters in banquet season. A dual-source Fusion Pro adds fiber for bare metal.
- 3
High-volume drinkware
A Fusion Galvo G100 marks powder-coated tumblers and metal much faster than a CO₂ laser. It usually runs beside a CO₂ machine that does everything else.
Glass and crystal: surface marks only
A CO₂ laser marks the surface of glass and crystal, which leaves a frosted finish. It can't engrave inside a crystal block. The floating 3D images in crystal gifts are made with a separate subsurface laser. Results also vary between glass suppliers, so test a piece from each new one before you take an order.
Laser-safe materials guide →Equipment and materials
Fusion Ascent 12 and 24 for smaller shops, Fusion Pro 24 and 36 for production, and the Fusion Galvo G100 for fast drinkware and metal marking. A rotary attachment is available for round items.
View Epilog
Two-ply, LaserGloss and LaserMark metallic sheet for plaque plates, trophy plates and name badges.
View Rowmark
Canadian-made filtered extractors for engraving plastics, wood and acrylic indoors.
View FiltraBoxQuestions we get asked
What laser should a small awards shop buy?
A CO₂ laser covers most awards work: plates, badges, plaques, acrylic and glass. The Fusion Ascent 12 has a 24 × 12 in bed; the Ascent 24 doubles the depth to 24 × 24 in for larger plaques. Add a rotary attachment if you do drinkware.
Can a CO₂ laser engrave powder-coated tumblers?
Yes. It removes the powder coat and shows the stainless steel underneath; wipe off any residue afterwards. If you run tumblers in large batches, a fiber galvo such as the Fusion Galvo G100 is much faster.
Can I engrave crystal awards with a CO₂ laser?
You can mark the surface, which gives a frosted look. The 3D images inside crystal blocks need a subsurface laser, which is a different machine.
Do I need a rotary attachment?
Only for round items such as glasses, tumblers and bottles. It turns the piece under the beam so the mark wraps around it. Flat plaques, plates and acrylic don't need one.
Is training included with a new laser?
Training is included with every new laser. Your quote spells out the details. We also provide setup support so your first jobs come out right.
Adding a laser to your awards shop?
Tell us what you engrave most and how busy your season gets. We'll suggest a machine, the attachments and the stock to keep on hand.