I have been asked to laser cut and engrave plastic business cards / membership cards. Anybody got any suggestions as what material to use?
Acrylic would be too brittle in the thickness I need.
I have been asked to laser cut and engrave plastic business cards / membership cards. Anybody got any suggestions as what material to use?
Acrylic would be too brittle in the thickness I need.
Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W
James,
I have a Fargo HDP5000 card printer that prints full color on the front and black and white on the back, the cards a credit card sized and 30mil thick. That would be the best color solution. If you want a different solution try stainless. I made up about 200 stainless cards and give them out to the better prospects I meet. They are all very impressed - it's not going to get thrown away and they can see exactly what I can do with my laser.
Other than that, I think plastic isn't going to work very well at a thickness thin enough to call a business card.
You could try veneer, it's thin enough, but still brittle.
Gary
I use Rowmark or IPI. I think the brushed silver and brushed gold look the best. If it's up to you, be creative in the shape cutting and a magnet on the back for business cards is a big plus. I think the material I use it 1/16" think. The thin stuff warps really bad.
Brian Robison
MetalMarkers
Epilog Mini
Rabbit 1290
I use Rowmark Flexibrass..
Here's some pics
Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
Roland 2300 rotary . 3 x ISEL's ..1m x 500mm CnC .
Tekcel 1200x2400 router , 900 x 600 60w Shenui laser , 1200 x 800 80w Reci tube Shenhui Laser
6 x longtai lasers 400x600 60w , 1 x longtai 20w fiber
2x Gravo manual engravers , Roland 540 large format printer/cutter. CLTT setup
1600mm hot and cold laminator , 3x Dopag resin dispensers , sandblasting setup, acid etcher
Thanks everyone for the replies. I should have mentioned he wants a translucent plastic. He brought in a folder made of some sort of flexible plastic which he wants to match.
After a bit of googling I was looking at polyester (PETG) it seems similar but without the matt appearance. I gather it cuts ok but don't know about how it engraves. Anyone aver tried it?
Epilog Legend 36EXT 75W
It doesnt engrave well , it becomes "melty"
Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
Roland 2300 rotary . 3 x ISEL's ..1m x 500mm CnC .
Tekcel 1200x2400 router , 900 x 600 60w Shenui laser , 1200 x 800 80w Reci tube Shenhui Laser
6 x longtai lasers 400x600 60w , 1 x longtai 20w fiber
2x Gravo manual engravers , Roland 540 large format printer/cutter. CLTT setup
1600mm hot and cold laminator , 3x Dopag resin dispensers , sandblasting setup, acid etcher
Laserlites?
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
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