I have found that for most of the engravings I’ve been doing, I prefer the look before I take off the masking layer.
For example, in this sun image, I love the look with the masking layer still on. If I engrave without the masking layer on, will it look similar to this? I guess it would depend…more experimentation needed!
For this one, I like the look with the masking layer removed:
Of course, I had to try a Middle Earth map and it looked AWESOME before I took the masking layer off. It seems the laser barely cut through the masking layer for many of the fine details. I think I know how fix this…how does the GF determine engrave depth? For a given proofgrade material, pure black doesn’t cut all the way through. Is the engrave depth specific for material? So, white is no engrave and black is set to some depth. How is that depth determined? Is it affected by the background color of the source image? My Middle Earth map did have a non-white background color.
Gorilla tape can work wonders, but I have found that I don’t actually need masking when engraving. I simply remove my Proofgrade masking before I engrave or score for that matter - though you might have to adjust (lower) your power manually to compensate for removal of the masking when scoring without it.
Got a good DON’T !!
That brown shipping tape is about impossible to remove once it has been heated.
On non-proofgrade masking, I am staying with the blue painter flavor, it is really easy to see to remove and I had about 5 rolls.
There have been times I wished the proofgrade masking was some tint also. Can be hard to see tiny spots that you missed.
Back on topic.
You got me thinking.
I am going to make a small test piece with masking left on and a poly sealer applied. Not sure it would make it more permanent, but worth a try I reckon.
