Engraving on flat objects, such as a piece of wood or plywood, is quite easy. But when you need to do rotary laser engraving to engrave cylindrical objects, including tumblers and cups, you cannot do it directly. Whether you want to engrave tumblers for your laser business, DIY craft, or any other purpose, you need the right laser engraving machine, the right accessories, the right rotary attachments, and the right knowledge to do the engraving with perfection.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about laser engraving tumblers and cups and share the best laser engraving machines and accessories you can go for. We will make choosing the best laser engraver for tumblers easier and quicker.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laser Engraver for Tumblers

It is possible to laser engrave tumblers, but there're some factors to consider before choosing a laser engraver for tumblers. Let's understand everything one by one in detail.

Rotary Attachment for Tumbler Engraving

For engraving flat objects, all you need to do is place the object under the laser module and start engraving. The object remains still during the engraving process. But this is not the case with cylindrical objects.

Cylindrical objects cannot remain still during engraving. It is necessary to rotate them 360° to engrave the design that covers the whole surface. For the rotation, you need a rotary attachment that can rotate the cylindrical object 360° to engrave it from all directions. Without a rotary attachment, engraving on cylindrical objects is not possible.

The shape of tumblers is also cylindrical, and most of the time, we see irregular cylindrical shapes in tumblers commonly available on the market. Thus, you need a compatible rotary attachment that can cater to the common shapes and sizes of tumblers available on the market.

The rotary attachment holds the tumbler from one side and rotates it in the required direction. It works along with the laser engraving machine and coordinates with it. Usually, chuck rotary attachments are used for engraving tumblers. They can easily grip the tumbler of different sizes and shapes.

Coating Material of the Tumbler

Another factor is the material of the tumbler. Usually, the material of the tumblers is metal (stainless steel), and sometimes, there is a hard coating over it. 

If there is powder coating or any other coating on the tumbler, it is easier to engrave it. The coating can be engraved easily without applying any chemicals to the surface. You can place the tumbler directly on the rotary attachment and start engraving it.

If there is no coating, you will have to engrave on the stainless steel. The problem is that you cannot engrave on stainless steel directly as we did with the coated tumbler if you use a diode or CO2 laser engraver. 

This is because the stainless steel will reflect the laser beam, making it impossible to engrave. Therefore, we apply a coating to the tumbler before engraving if a diode or CO2 laser is used. 

You can apply tempera paint or laser marking spray on the tumbler. Once it is applied, let it dry. Now, place it on the rotary attachment and start engraving. After engraving, you need to wipe off the coating you applied. Spray water and use a clean cloth to remove the coating.

Types of Laser

Fiber laser engravers are best suited for engraving stainless steel tumblers as they can engrave metal directly. However, they're mainly used for industrial purposes and are therefore expensive. For DIY and small businesses, a diode or CO2 laser also work well.

Graphics

Another important thing is the graphics. While engraving on stainless steel or powder-coated tumbler, you need to take care of the background contrast. Many users complain about the loss of details after engraving. It happens when the contrast between the background and foreground is not perfect. For instance, if the engraving is black, the background should be white to give the black part more visibility and appearance. It is better to avoid a transparent background in this case.

Best Laser Engravers for Tumblers and Cups

xTool D1 Pro Laser Engraver

xTool D1 Pro is an ideal laser engraving machine for tumblers. It has every feature, functionality, and facility that a user needs for engraving tumblers.

First of all, xTool D1 Pro has multiple diode laser modules. For engraving tumblers, the 5W is the best, and then comes the 10W module. The laser spot of the 5W module measures only 0.08 x 0.06 mm, which gives ultimate attention to the fine details. The 10W laser module comes next, and it also has an extra fine laser spot of 0.08 x 0.08 mm. The 20W and 40W module can also do the job at a faster speed, but it is more suitable for cutting.

All these can engrave on stainless steel and coated metals with perfection. The power of the laser is more than enough. If you are engraving tumblers for your small laser business, this machine's speed is incredible, which can offer excellent productivity.

The second advantage of using D1 Pro is the most advanced and the world's first 4-in-1 rotary attachment, RA2 Pro. This rotary can work as a chuck rotary, roller rotary, sphere rotary, and ring rotary. You can easily mount your tumblers on the chuck rotary and engrave them without any hassle. 

It can accommodate almost any shape and size of tumblers commonly available on the market. Moreover, it has soft-pad jaws for excellent grip and multiple shapes of jaws for different shapes of tumblers. Due to the compatibility with the software and machine, the attachments work exceptionally well and offer optimal results. You can also use the same rotary attachment on almost 90% of cylindrical and spherical objects.

The height of the D1 Pro can be increased using risers to place the rotary attachment and the tumbler properly. The focus adjustment is also easy and quick. Most importantly, the engraving accuracy and repositioning accuracy are more than perfect. Simply put, D1 Pro has got everything you need for engraving tumblers.

xTool P2 Laser Engraver

xTool P2 CO2 laser cutter is a beast that can engrave tumblers at a fast pace. The reason behind this is the immense optical power of 55W, which can easily engrave coated metals with the maximum engraving speed reaching up to 600mm/sec.

The laser machine is also compatible with RA2 Pro, which is a 4-in-1 rotary attachment. It can engrave 90% of cylindrical and spherical objects. You can use its chuck rotary for engraving tumblers. Other than tumblers, you can engrave mugs, wine glasses, rings, baubles, etc. The attachment can engrave on the whole object, covering 360 degrees.

There are two 16MP cameras inside the machine. You get a clear and crisp image of the tumbler. With that being said, you can easily place the graphics on the object for optimal results. Moreover, there is a close-range camera on the laser head, which helps you focus on a particular spot.

The machine is perfect for engraving tumblers. It is completely enclosed, and there is a powerful exhaust system. With that being said, you won’t feel smoke or smell in the area you are working in. Secondly, there is a light-filtering lid on the machine, so you can see the object or tumbler while engraving.

For small businesses, xTool P2 is an incredible CO2 laser engraver. It is versatile as it can engrave and cut a wide range of materials, including wood, plywood, glass, ceramics, leather, metal, stone, cardboard, stamp rubber, etc. The best part is that it offers automatic passthrough through which you can engrave and cut objects up to 96 inches long. It is incredibly powerful for cutting and engraving and can complete the job at lightning speed.

xTool F1 Laser Engraver

If you are looking for a portable laser engraver for tumblers, you might want to check out the xTool F1. This is a handheld device that's also compatible with the RA2 Pro. Here are some of the reasons why xTool F1 is the best portable laser engraver for tumblers:

Dual laser sources: xTool F1 has a 2W infrared laser and a 10W diode laser, which can work together or separately to achieve different effects. The infrared laser can engrave on any metal, including stainless steel. The diode laser can engrave on wood, leather, paper, and other non-metal materials

Super fast engraving speed: xTool F1 can engrave at a maximum speed of 4000mm/s, which is 10 times faster than most laser engravers on the market. You can finish a tumbler engraving project in seconds, saving you time and money.

High engraving accuracy: xTool F1 can produce fine and precise engravings with an accuracy of 0.00199mm. You can create detailed designs and photos on your tumblers without losing any quality.

Portable and safe: xTool F1 is a compact and lightweight device that you can carry anywhere. It comes with a protective cover that can block the laser light and prevent accidental burns. You can also connect it to a desktop smoke purifier to reduce the smoke and odor generated by the engraving process.

How to Laser Engrave Tumblers and Cups Using xTool D1 Pro and RA2 Pro?

xTool D1 Pro and RA2 Pro are beginner-friendly. Anyone can use them for engraving on tumblers. You only need to follow a few simple steps to get the job done.

Set up your xTool D1 Pro and attach risers to increase the height. Place the rotary attachment and connect it to the machine. Once everything is ready, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Clean the surface of the tumbler and wipe off all the dust and other particles, if any. If you are engraving on a stainless steel tumbler cup and there is no coating, apply laser marking spray on the tumbler and let it dry. Make sure to apply a thin and even coat on the surface.

Step 2: Measure the tumbler. It will help you adjust the graphics according to the size. Open the software and import the file. Adjust the graphics according to the tumbler. You can easily adjust the size, rotation, and placement in XCS. Moreover, you can also make minor edits using the editing tools. Adjust the power and speed; XCS also has preset settings to make things easier for you.

Step 3: Place the tumbler on the rotary attachment and adjust the placement of the laser module and its focus. Pull down the focus lever, adjust the height of the laser module, fix the module, and finally move the focus lever back to its place.

Step 4: Click on the Start button. You can check the positioning of the graphics through framing. Finally, click on the Start button. Now, wait and let the engraving complete. If you have applied laser marking spray on the stainless steel, use a cloth and water spray to clean it.

FAQs of Laser Engraving Tumblers

What Kind of Laser Do I Need to Engrave Tumblers?

To engrave tumblers, you need a laser that can work on cylindrical surfaces. You also need a laser that can engrave on the material of your choice, such as metal, glass, plastic, or ceramic. The most common types of lasers for tumbler engraving are diode lasers, CO2 lasers and fiber lasers. Fiber laser engravers are best for uncoated stainless steel tumblers, while diode or CO2 laser engravers can also be used after the tumbler has been coated.

What is the Cheapest Laser to Engrave Tumblers?

The cheapest laser to engrave tumblers depends on several factors, such as the type, size, power, speed, and features of the laser machine. Generally, diode laser engravers are the cheapest engraving machine as they are less powerful than CO2 and fiber lasers.

Can a CO2 Laser Engrave Tumblers?

Yes, a CO2 laser can engrave tumblers made of glass, plastic, ceramic, or coated metal. However, a CO2 laser cannot engrave tumblers made of bare metal, such as stainless steel. This is because metal reflects the infrared light emitted by the CO2 laser and absorbs very little energy. To engrave bare metal tumblers with a CO2 laser, you need to apply a special coating spray that creates a temporary layer on the metal surface.

Can Stainless Steel Tumblers be Engraved?

Yes, stainless steel tumblers can be engraved with a fiber laser, a diode laser or a CO2 laser. A fiber laser can directly engrave on stainless steel without any coating or pre-treatment. A diode laser or CO2 laser can engrave on stainless steel with the help of a coating spray that creates a temporary layer on the metal surface. The coating spray can be easily removed with water after the engraving process.

Conclusion

With the right tool and accessories, engraving on tumblers becomes quite easier, and the results are more than perfect. We explained how you can engrave on tumblers and what you need to know. xTool D1 Pro, xTool P2 and xTool F1 are ideal tumbler engraving machines. We have also shared the simple steps that can help you engrave tumblers like a pro. Get the best laser engraver for tumblers and enjoy engraving! 

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