Testing laser settings before engraving your final board is crucial to achieving optimal results and avoiding material wastage. Start by creating a test piece of the same material you’ll be using for your final project. This allows you to accurately adjust settings without the risk of ruining your main board.

Use a laser engraving software that allows you to set different parameters such as speed, power, and frequency. Start with recommended settings for your material, available from your laser machine’s user manual or manufacturer’s website. It’s beneficial to create a test grid that includes various combinations of power and speed settings. Typically, a higher power with a lower speed cuts deeper, while lower power with higher speed enables surface engraving.

Engage in a series of test engravings, gradually tweaking the settings based on results. Examine the depth, clarity, and quality of the engraving after each test. Taking notes can help you track which settings produced the best results for future reference. Once satisfied with the test results, you can confidently use the finalized settings on your actual project.