xTool Beginner's Guide
Your laser journey starts here.
xTool
Beginner's Guide
Your laser journey starts here.
Your first time here? New to laser machines, but want to make it a side hobby or make money out of it? We have prepared this guide page for any laser beginner like you, to walk you through all the necessary knowledge you need before starting your laser engraving/cutting journey with xTool.
This page is for people who belong to one of the groups below:
• You are completely new to the laser machine;
• You are wondering which xTool machine is a perfect choice for you;
• You already own an xTool machine, but need detailed guidance for starting your first laser project;
• You already have an xTool machine, but need a list of laser engraving ideas to practice your skills;
• You already have an xTool machine, but need instructions on the software part to bring out the best of the machine.
Laser engraving vs laser cutting: the difference
Laser engraving and laser cutting refer to the process of vaporizing the material and creating deep marks on the surface. The laser is obtained from the laser source in the laser module, and then it is directed towards the material. The laser beams possess the capability of increasing the temperature of any object that comes in contact.
When the laser strikes the surface, it increases the temperature of the material quickly. The temperature reaches the vaporization temperature in no time, and the material is directly converted from solid to vapors.
The difference between laser engraving and cutting is the depth. In laser engraving, the depth is less, and it takes a little part of the surface. You see an engraved surface that can be felt through touch and appears to be a 3D surface. On the other hand, in laser cutting, the laser beams pass through the object and cut the material. It can be used to section a piece or cut the material into several pieces.
With that being said, the power of laser cutting is intense, and it takes more time than laser engraving.
The difference between laser engraving and cutting is the depth. In laser engraving, the depth is less, and it takes a little part of the surface. You see an engraved surface that can be felt through touch and appears to be a 3D surface. On the other hand, in laser cutting, the laser beams pass through the object and cut the material. It can be used to section a piece or cut the material into several pieces.
With that being said, the power of laser cutting is intense, and it takes more time than laser engraving.
What can I do with a laser engraver/cutter?
Laser engraving is widely used for creating different products, personalization of objects, and crafting unique items. You can express your creativity and make new products and customize existing objects. The sky's the limit!
😎 having fun creating
If you love DIY crafts and like to make creative things, you can use the laser to cut materials in different shapes and engrave any design, tag, name, or anything else on it.
🥳 Personalize gifts
For home décor, you can make different wooden and acrylic wall hangings, lamps, shelves, and whatever you like. Plus, you can personalize different items for gifts and give them to your loved ones.
🤩 Create to make money
You can also sell your products in your online/offline store. You can also provide laser engraving and cutting services and make different products according to the requirement of the buyers.
Are laser cutters/engravers worth it?
Laser cutters and engravers are worth it. If you are an artist or professional, you can make your own custom items for your projects. You can make wooden and acrylic pieces and engrave on the object as you like. The machine makes your work easier and more efficient.
You can get the most out of your laser cutter/engraver by selling products in the market or online stores and offering services to clients. You can make wall hangings, name tags, jewelry, tumblers, decorative items, bracelets, wallets & bags, pens, phone cases, belts, puzzles, and a lot of other things. Personalized gift items are also an excellent option as they are quite demanding for birthdays, corporate gifts, and marketing.
Machines: Which is the one for you?
xTool D1 Pro: all-around with open structure
The diode laser engraver/cutter xTool D1 Pro specializes in its open structure that enables it to engrave and cut objects that are higher, wider etc. And best of all, its 20W version is the most powerful diode laser you can find on the market.
xTool M1: perfect for gift making and personalization
xTool M1, featuring in laser engraving and blade cutting, is a perfect machine for you if you need a handy tool to make little personalized gifts and it’s easy to work with.
xTool D1 Pro
The diode laser engraver/cutter xTool D1 Pro specializes in its open structure that enables it to engrave and cut objects that are higher, wider etc. And best of all, its 20W version is the most powerful diode laser you can find on the market.
xTool M1
xTool M1 is a perfect machine if you need a handy tool to make little personalized gifts and it’s easy to work with. But since it only has the 5W version, you may not want to use it for cutting.
Laserbox Rotary
The CO2 laser machine Laserbox Rotary specializes in cutting thick materials with its high laser power (40W), but it’s the most expensive xTool machine.
Software: Which to use and how do I use it?
Laserbox Basic
Laserbox Basic is xTool's native application made by developers for xTool laser machines. It is beginner-friendly software that beginners can use without any prior experience and expertise. You only need to follow a few simple steps, and you will be ready to engrave your first laser project. It has made laser cutting and engraving easier than ever before. It is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
xTool Creative Space: for xTool D1/Pro and M1
xTool Creative Space, or XCS, is a newly upgraded application that is designed to replace Laserbox Basic.
What’s special about this new application is that it has a project center where users can find a variety of laser project ideas and step-by-step guide with them. If you are new to laser engraving and cutting, the project center of XCS is a perfect place to start your laser journey with.
Currently, xTool Creative Space is still on its beta versions and probably not in its best performance. But it's keeping constant updates.
Lightburn: for laser professionals
LightBurn is third-party software that is compatible with xTool machines. The users need to purchase it to enjoy its exceptional features. It is especially for experts and people who understand laser engraving and cutting. Users need to learn this tool before getting started. If you want to take your laser skills to the next level, LightBurn could be an ideal choice.
Read Software Guide >>Lightburn
LightBurn is third-party software that is compatible with xTool machines. The users need to purchase it to enjoy its exceptional features. It is especially for experts and people who understand laser engraving and cutting. Users need to learn this tool before getting started. If you want to take your laser skills to the next level, LightBurn could be an ideal choice.
Materials: How to set speed and power for each material on software?
Setting the right power and speed according to the type of material is essential. Otherwise, the machine won't be able to give perfect results. Beginners usually get confused about these specifications, but xTool has solved this problem. We have created material parameter charts that contain the ideal specifications for all materials.
Materials: How to set speed and power for each material?
Setting the right power and speed according to the type of material is essential. Otherwise, the machine won't be able to give perfect results. Beginners usually get confused about these specifications, but xTool has solved this problem. We have created material parameter charts that contain the ideal specifications for all materials.
Laser project ideas: Where do I get them?
xTool Facebook Groups
xTool has an official Facebook group where users share their experiences, ideas, settings, and many other things. You can easily get tons of ideas from there and even request people to help you out if you come across any problem.
Go to Facebook Groups →xTool Creative Space
xTool Creative Space has its own project center. You can find tons of ideas there, along with the step-by-step guide. Beginners must have a look at the project center to start their first project.
Go to Creative Space →Gallery Page
We also have a gallery page on the website where we share exciting items made by xTool machines. There are different ideas for almost all occasions and events, such as Mother’s Day, Christmas, and St Patrick’s Day.
Go to Gallery Page →