Copper and brass cutting and engraving

What's the difference between copper and brass?

Copper (Cu) is a pure metal — soft, an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity, red-pink in tone. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy, known locally as "latun"; it is harder and reads gold. Tombak is not a synonym but a specific high-copper grade of brass. Both are routinely confused with bronze, which is copper plus tin and a different material entirely. All three are non-ferrous metals, valued for a warmth that carbon and stainless steel cannot reproduce.

• Copper (Cu) — red-pink, soft, highly conductive
• Brass (CuZn) = latun — golden, harder; tombak is a high-copper grade of it
• Bronze (CuSn) — copper plus tin, a separate material
• In Georgian, ლითონი and მეტალი both simply mean metal

What thickness of copper and brass can be laser cut?

Copper and brass processing depends on alloy, coating, reflectivity and thermal conductivity. Polished and matte sheet cannot be assigned one guaranteed thickness limit. Send the material grade, thickness, surface photo and drawing. Cutting feasibility and edge requirements should be confirmed from those details, with a sample assessment where needed.

• Exact alloy grade
• Thickness and sheet dimensions
• Surface coating or sample
• Drawing and required tolerance

When does engraving beat cutting?

Engraving works on the surface rather than through the full sheet thickness. A thick object may therefore accept a logo or text if its dimensions, shape, coating and placement in the machine are suitable. A through-cut outline requires a separate feasibility assessment.

What do we make from copper and brass?

We use copper and brass mainly for small, detailed pieces where the metal's colour is part of the product: badges, award and medal plates, door nameplates and apartment numbers, personalised keychains, decorative ornaments and interior accents. Both metals hold fine engraved detail well, which is why brass remains the default for award plates. The minimum order is 1 piece, so a single keychain or a single nameplate is a real order, not a rounding error.

• Badges and award plates
• Door nameplates and apartment numbers
• Personalised keychains and souvenirs
• Decorative ornaments and interior accents

What we do not do with copper and brass

Our copper and brass work covers laser cutting and engraving. Plasma, waterjet, press-brake bending, milling and lathe work are not performed in our workshop. A drawing requiring extra operations or material outside the machine capability needs assessment before ordering. State whether raw sheet sourcing is also required.

• Laser cutting for assessed material and geometry
• Engraving on a suitable surface and working area
• Additional operations by prior agreement

How much does copper or brass cutting cost?

Price is built from three components: total cut-contour length, material thickness, and the cost of the raw stock itself. Copper and brass cost significantly more per sheet than steel, so the same drawing prices higher here than on carbon steel. Surface finish matters too: mirror stock needs a test pass and more care, while matte stock cuts more stably. If the design is a surface mark, engraving is more economical than cutting — it consumes no contour length and is not limited by thickness. Unit price falls on larger runs, because file prep and machine setup are paid for once. Timing is agreed after the project review. Send the metal grade, thickness, drawing, finishing and quantity, required date and collection or delivery location.

Why do copper and brass change colour over time?

Exposed to air, copper and brass oxidise and gradually darken or develop a green-brown patina — a natural chemical process, not a defect. To keep a bright, new look, the piece needs a clear lacquer coat or periodic cleaning with a soft polish. If you prefer an aged, patinated look, simply leave the metal alone. Engraved lines often gain contrast as this happens, because patina collects faster in the recessed marks.