What machine can laser engrave guitar bodies?

Many custom guitar builders struggle to get clean engravings on wood or metal surfaces without damaging the instrument. I’ve seen customers ruin lacquer finishes with rotary tools or end up with uneven branding from unreliable techniques. But there’s a better way.

You can laser engrave guitar bodies using a CO₂ laser for wood and a fiber laser for metal. Each machine excels on different materials, giving precise, repeatable, and damage-free results.

Some machines chip the wood, others can’t get deep enough. But if you're using the right laser—one matched to the material—you get a clean result every time. Let me explain how each machine fits.

Can you laser engrave a guitar?

A lot of people think engraving a guitar means risking damage to the body. I get it—wood burns, lacquer bubbles, and curves don’t help. I once had a customer who tried everything from chisels to CNC, only to give up after ruining a few expensive blanks.

Yes, you can laser engrave a guitar using a CO₂ laser for wood or a fiber laser for metal parts. CO₂ lasers offer precision and minimal heat damage on wood, especially lacquered surfaces.

Why CO₂ lasers work well on guitars

When it comes to engraving guitar bodies¹—typically made of mahogany, maple, or alder—the CO₂ laser² is my go-to. These machines emit infrared light absorbed efficiently by organic materials like wood. This gives you:

• Clean, deep burns without scorching the finish
• Adjustable power levels to handle lacquered or unfinished wood
• Control over raster vs. vector engraving modes

Here’s a quick comparison:

Sometimes people ask if they can do curved guitars³. The answer is yes—with the right Z-axis adjustments and focus settings, even arched tops can be engraved cleanly.

And for full transparency: don’t use too high a power setting. CO₂ lasers can burn through paint if you’re not careful. I always recommend testing on scrap before hitting a $1,000 guitar body.

Can you laser engrave guitar picks?

You might not think about engraving picks, but a lot of brands and custom builders do. I’ve helped dozens of clients who run Etsy stores, boutique shops, or gift engraving businesses get started with small-format machines for exactly this use case.

Yes, laser engraving guitar picks is possible—and very effective—with either fiber or CO₂ lasers, depending on the pick material.

Match the pick material to the laser type

Not all picks are the same. Depending on the material, you’ll want to choose your laser carefully:

Most people want logos, initials, or even QR codes on their picks. Fiber lasers excel in fine detail when the pick is metal. If you're working with plastics, though, be cautious—celluloid and PVC can produce toxic fumes⁶. I always advise proper exhaust systems and safe material choices.

A CO₂ laser engraver with a 300×200mm bed can produce batches of 20–30 picks in one go. It’s fast, customizable, and ideal for small business users.

Can a 10W laser engrave metal?

This is one of the most misunderstood points among new buyers. I often get asked whether a 10W diode or budget laser can engrave metal. The short answer is: not really—not if you're serious about depth, speed, or precision.

No, a 10W laser typically cannot engrave bare metal effectively. For true metal marking, especially permanent deep etching, a fiber laser (20W and above) is required.

Understanding laser power vs. wavelength

Here’s why power alone doesn’t cut it. A 10W blue diode laser⁷ might seem powerful, but wavelength matters:

Fiber lasers penetrate the metal surface by exciting atoms with high energy. This results in deep, dark, permanent marks. For guitar parts—like bridge plates, tuners, neck plates, and custom logos—fiber laser is the only reliable option.

I’ve worked with clients who tried to save money with entry-level diode setups. They ended up with patchy results or surface marks that rubbed off. If your brand image matters, don’t settle.

Is it worth buying a laser engraving machine?

This question comes up all the time—especially from small shop owners, guitar builders, or rebranding companies. And my answer is always the same: it depends on how often you need to engrave, and how much control you want over the final result.

Yes, it’s worth buying a laser engraving machine if you frequently need custom designs on wood, metal, or plastic. It saves money, improves quality, and lets you build your brand faster.

How to evaluate the ROI

Let’s break it down:

When you own the machine, you're in control. You decide how deep the engraving is, how fast it runs, and what design files to use. This lets you offer quick customization or launch new SKUs without waiting on a vendor.

I’ve seen clients make their investment back in six months—especially when they offered custom guitar work or private label picks. You don’t have to go big either. Many of our Kirin Laser customers start with a 30W fiber laser or 60W CO₂ machine, then expand as orders grow.

We also offer OEM branding, so you can resell under your own name. That’s helped many small brands grow into full-fledged suppliers.

Conclusion

Laser engraving¹³ guitar bodies—or any part of a guitar—is not just possible, it's practical with the right machine. A CO₂ laser is perfect for wood, while a fiber laser handles all your metal components. Engraving picks, logos, or custom panels becomes easy, scalable, and reliable.

At Kirin Laser, we help guitar makers, distributors, and entrepreneurs choose the right tool for their needs—because precision isn’t just our slogan, it’s our mission.

If you're ready to move past rotary tools and outsourcing delays, it might be time to invest in a solution that pays off with every project you complete.