Cutting vs engraving on metal — the difference and how to choose
Short answer
Cutting metal drives the laser through the full thickness, separating the part or opening a hole — up to 10mm on steel, at ±0.1mm positional tolerance. Engraving marks the surface only, roughly 0.05-0.3mm deep, and never separates the part. Cutting gives you a shape; engraving gives you a logo or text. Both run from one file, in one setup. Minimum order: 1 piece.
"Cutting" and "engraving" get confused constantly, mostly because both run on the same fiber laser and read almost identically in an order request. The distinction is fundamental. Cutting drives the beam through the full thickness and separates the metal — that is how you get a new shape, a hole, or a contour. Engraving only marks the surface, leaves thickness untouched, and adds information to the part: a logo, a name, a serial number, a QR code. Terminology, since it trips people up: laser engraving is also called marking. At Craftarea both operations run on the same machine. Below you'll find a comparison table, what actually drives the price, and a simple rule for choosing.
Key facts
- Cutting thickness ceiling (steel)
- Up to 10mm — beam goes fully through
- Engraving depth
- 0.05-0.3mm — surface only
- Cutting positional tolerance
- ±0.1mm
- Cut and engrave together
- 2 operations — 1 setup, 1 file
- Typical engraving use
- 4 cases: logo, text, serial number, QR code
- Typical cutting use
- 4 cases: contour, hole, letters, pattern
- Minimum order
- 1 piece — for either operation
- Quote turnaround
- 24 hours from receiving the file
What's the technical difference between cutting and engraving?
Both run on the same fiber laser, just at different settings. Cutting focuses the beam at full power and takes it through the entire thickness — the result is two separate pieces, or a hole in a precise shape, at roughly ±0.1mm positional tolerance. Engraving runs at reduced power so the beam removes or discolors only a thin top layer, leaving thickness and strength unchanged. The practical test is easy: a cut passes light through the sheet, while an engraved area leaves the metal solid and the mark readable only on the surface. That's the whole distinction — cutting changes a part's shape, engraving adds content to it.
- Cutting = full separation or opening through the material's thickness
- Engraving = a surface mark that doesn't touch the part's thickness
- Same thing, different words: laser engraving is also called marking
When should you choose cutting, and when engraving?
The rule is simple. If the part needs a new shape, that's cutting. If the part needs information on it, that's engraving. Choose cutting for signage letters, a panel pattern, mounting holes, a keychain outline — anywhere a new piece has to come out of the sheet. Choose engraving when the part already exists or is a plain flat piece and only needs a name, logo, serial number, date, or QR code added. Often you need both: a door plate is cut to size first, then engraved with the apartment number; a name keychain is cut to shape first, then engraved with the name. In that case, order both as one job.
Can cutting and engraving be done on one part at the same time?
Yes. A single vector file carries the cut contour and the engraved text on separate layers — the machine completes one operation, then the other in the same setup, with no repositioning in between. That is why both operations in one order come out faster and cheaper than two separate jobs where setup happens twice. Typical examples: an award plaque with a cut shape and an engraved name; a door plate cut to size with an engraved number; a metal business card with a cut outline and engraved contact details. Several parts can also be nested on one sheet, each with its own text.
Why is engraving sometimes the better choice?
Highly reflective and thin metals — copper, brass, 0.5-1mm aluminum — are more predictable to engrave than to cut with fine detail: beam reflection affects cut precision and edge quality far more than it affects surface marking. So on small decorative items — medals, badges, metal business cards — the usual approach is to cut a simple outer shape from a more stable material such as stainless steel, then engrave all the fine detail. The result is more repeatable than trying to cut the same pattern through a thin, reflective sheet.
How different is the price between cutting and engraving?
They are calculated by different formulas. Cutting price is driven by total cut length, material thickness, and the number of holes; engraving price by the area covered and how detailed the artwork is. In practice, engraving short text and a small logo is faster and cheaper than cutting a complex contour on a part of the same size, though the final ratio always depends on the specific file and the batch size. Either way, the exact figure is calculated individually from your file and returned within 24 hours. Minimum order is 1 piece, so a single part can be quoted too.
Cutting vs engraving on metal — comparison
| Parameter | Cutting | Engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Part is separated or opened — new shape, hole, contour | A mark stays on the surface, part stays whole |
| Depth into material | Full thickness — up to 10mm on steel | Surface only, 0.05-0.3mm |
| Precision | ±0.1mm positional tolerance | Sub-millimeter detail |
| Typical use | Shapes, holes, contours, letters, patterns | Logos, text, serial numbers, QR codes |
| Effect on strength | Changes the part's shape and weight | Practically no effect on strength |
| File preparation | Closed contours, on their own layer | Text or logo on its own layer |
| Minimum order | 1 piece | 1 piece |
How it works — step by step
- 1
Decide whether you need a shape or a marking
If the part needs a new contour or a hole, that's cutting. If the part already exists and only needs a logo, name, or number, that's engraving. Needing both is perfectly normal.
- 2
Choose material and thickness
We cut steel up to 10mm, stainless up to 6mm, aluminum up to 5mm, brass and copper up to 3mm. If the material is thin and reflective, fine detail comes out more reliably as engraving.
- 3
Prepare a vector file with separate layers
Put the cut contour and the engraved element on separate layers. Contours must be closed, and text should be converted to outlines.
- 4
Send the file and get a price within 24 hours
Send your file to info@craftbox.ge or call +995 557 771 979. You'll get an exact price and lead time within 24 hours; minimum order is 1 piece.
Frequently asked questions
Does engraving weaken a metal part?
No. Engraving removes only a thin top layer, roughly 0.05-0.3mm deep, and doesn't touch the part's main thickness. A nameplate, sign, or gift keeps essentially the same structural strength after engraving.
Can I bring a part that's already cut just to have it engraved?
Yes. A metal part you already cut or bought can be engraved with a logo, text, or number. If both steps are needed from the start, ordering them in one file is faster and cheaper than two separate jobs.
Are engraving and marking the same thing?
Yes — laser engraving is commonly called marking, and it means the same operation: leaving a mark on the surface without opening the material. Both terms describe the same 0.05-0.3mm surface process.
Which takes longer — cutting or engraving?
It depends on the file. Short text and a small logo engrave quickly, while a complex, hole-heavy contour takes longer to cut. The exact lead time for either is confirmed within 24 hours of receiving your file.
Can several parts be cut and engraved on one sheet?
Yes. Multiple parts can be nested on one sheet, each with its own engraving, and processed in a single run. This is especially efficient for batch production, such as a run of medals or keychains.
Does engraving show up the same on every metal?
No. Matte and brushed surfaces such as stainless steel give a high-contrast, easy-to-read mark, while polished or mirror surfaces show noticeably lower contrast. A test sample can be requested to see the exact result first.
Do you offer deep, machined engraving?
No. We do laser surface engraving only, at 0.05-0.3mm depth. Deep mechanical or CNC-milled engraving is not done on our equipment — for that we'll point you in the right direction and to a vetted partner workshop.
Does engraving need extra finishing afterward?
Usually not — an engraved surface is ready straight off the machine, with no sanding or paint needed. Cut parts sometimes need edge cleanup, which is confirmed up front when the order is placed.