Are you looking to color engraved acrylic, but unsure of how to do it? You’re in the right place! In this blog post I’II share three different techniques for coloring your engraved acrylic projects to make them pop. Note, each of these techniques requires masking of your acrylic sheet.
Techniques for Coloring Engraved Acrylic
Method I: Acrylic Paint
This might be the most cost efficient way to color any laser engraved acrylic project. Acrylic paint is widely accessible and can easily be applied. After engraving your piece, you can use a paintbrush to apply thin layers of acrylic paint until you achieve the desired level of opacity.
Once dry, you can remove the paper masking and clean any over spill using a damp paper towel. Another way of cleaning up unwanted paint around your edges is by using Gorilla tape or a rubber scraper.
Method 2 : Chalk Marker
A quick technique for coloring your engraved projects is using a chalk marker. You can find these amazing little tools at your local Dollar General. If not, they can be found on Amazon in affordable packs. They’re after sold in white, but you can also find an assortment of colors. Often used for chalkboard signs, these markers are really useful for coloring engraved acrylic.
Similar to the acrylic paint technique, you’ll want to fill your masked engraved piece by shading in your design as much as possible with the marker. Once filled, remove the masking and wipe away any excess with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
Method 3: Rub-N-Buff
Rub-N- Buff is a wax sold in a variety of different metallic finishes. often used for cosplay armor and 3D printingto create a rustic metallic finish, you can get a cool looking finish with this product. Unlike the acrylic paint and chalk marker, this method is far messier. You’ll want to use nitrile gloves to apply it to your engraving as it can be difficult to work into small crevices.
Note, this product dries very quickly, so its best to work in small areas at a time, keeping a damp cloth handy to wipe away excess almost immediately.
Take Aways
These are just three of the many ways to add color to your engraved projects to make them stand out. The beauty of acrylic is that it’s a pretty forgiving material. Most products can be wiped away should you make a mistake, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
