Sandblasting or laser engraving? What are the differences and possible advantages or disadvantages?

Before addressing this issue, it is a good idea to briefly describe the two methods of decoration. Glass and crystal can be treated and decorated in different ways. However, lasering and sandblasting are just two of the dozens of options that we will cover in later blogs.

So why are we comparing sandblasting and laser engraving? The reason is that both of these technologies are used with more or less the same goal and very similar results. In fact, sandblasting and laser engraving are most often used for personalizing jars, bottles, etc. with various texts, logos, or other graphics. Often, various companies or advertisements have their own logos on the jars. Customers also have wedding glasses made with their own names and wedding date. Increasingly, people are gifting jars or vases with their own message directly to their loved ones… For example, for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or any anniversary.

Sandblasting

Sandblasting has long been used not for sand per se (due to its negative impact on health), but for various other abrasive materials. Using compressed air, a beam containing abrasive material is created which, when it comes into contact with a glass surface (such as a glass or vase), causes a small part of the glass to chip off. This happens at the microscopic level with the help of millions of abrasive particles. The result is a matt whitish surface, but which can also be sandblasted in depth (if you sandblast the same spot several times). Sandblasting is thus a mechanical surface treatment that cannot be removed in any way (as would be the case with paint).

Sandblasting stencils

The sandblasting beam is somewhat erratic and each grain of abrasive material behaves erratically while bumping into other grains. Therefore, it is necessary to use sandblasting stencils. There are many different types, but this is not the focus of this article. However, the principle is always the same: namely to protect the surface from the sandblasting beam where we don’t want to have a sandblasted motif, and conversely not to protect the surface in places where we want to achieve a matt sandblasting effect. Using a sandblasting stencil we can create beautiful and precise motifs, company logos, texts or any other graphics.

Laser engraving

Laser engraving works on a similar but different principle to sandblasting. With the help of a laser beam, the surface is scratched at a microscopic level. Unlike sandblasting, however, a laser is simply a highly concentrated light (and therefore heat) that produces a very precisely positioned, very brief and very intense thermal shock on contact with the glass surface. This thermal shock causes microscopic slits that create a very similar appearance to sandblasting. Unlike sandblasting, no template is used in laser engraving and instead the laser beam is very precise. For the layman, it can be compared to the precision and control of a conventional printer. The laser beam, like sandblasting, is a mechanical finish that cannot be removed.

When to use laser engraving?

Laser equipment is a very expensive investment. Compared to sandblasting equipment, it is about 20 times more expensive and requires quite a lot of IT skill on the part of the operator and the graphic designer. Laser can be used to design and produce graphics very quickly, allowing orders to be dispatched at very short notice. The main advantage is that there are no templates to make, glue and then wash, and this saves a lot of time as well as money. Another advantage, is that with laser engraving you can create graphics with more detail and high resolution. For example, we always use laser engraving when making wedding cups.

Advantages of laser engraving

• fast production
• high resolution and detail of graphics
• cheaper and faster production for smaller graphics
• ideal for use in smaller batches

Disadvantages of laser engraving

• not recommended when engraving larger graphics
• not recommended for engraving surfaces
• limiting the maximum size of objects and graphics
• relatively expensive for larger series
• cannot be engraved in depth

When do you prefer to use sandblasting?

We recommend sandblasting whenever you have larger graphics, or if your graphics contain areas wider than about 5mm. If your graphic contains fine lettering or other details then the only way to produce it is to use a laser. Sandblasting allows you to engrave graphics both superficially and with a depth of up to 0.6mm (in some cases deeper. Laser engraving is always surface only.

Advantages of sandblasting

• possibility to go in depth
• nicer visual result for larger graphics or graphics containing wider areas
• in some cases cheaper than laser engraving

Disadvantages of sandblasting

• more expensive for small batches
• more laborious process and longer production and delivery time
• not suitable for detailed graphics

How to choose?

Fortunately, we are here for you! Thanks to our many years of experience, we can recommend the right method for your requirements and match your ideas with production possibilities and technological constraints.

Sometimes the “choice” is very simple! For example, we do not even consider sandblasting when making wedding cups :). It would be more expensive and the result would not be as good. On the other hand, when making cups with a company logo, we always choose the most suitable method.

However, our company is one of the few companies in Slovakia that offers laser engraving of glass and crystal… and maybe the only one that offers laser engraving of glass together with sandblasting under one roof! If you combine this with the fact that we have a very wide selection of glass products that are exclusive only to us, we believe we can be just the right partner for you or your business.

We hope you enjoyed our article! 🙂