Laser Engraving with borax
Dark more detail
Less expensive to purchase as that one can buy smaller quantities.
Darker but sootier
Some say that treating wood with a solution of baking soda and water before laser engraving can help create a darker appearance. Here's a recipe for a baking soda solution for laser engraving:
  1. Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 500 ml of water (5.28 cups  ~17ozs)
  2. Stir well
  3. Pour into a spray bottle
  4. Spray evenly on the wood
  5. Let it dry for 24 hours


Some say that borax can also help create a darker appearance, and that it may yield better results than baking soda. However, the best solution may depend on the type of wood and the laser engraver being used. It's recommended to test the solution on a small area of the wood before engraving the whole piece. 
Here are some other tips for laser engraving wood:
  • Use a high-quality blue laser head or blue galvo laser
  • Use the highest power available on the laser engraver
  • Consider the type of wood, its hardness, humidity, and texture
  • Make sure the wood's surface is a homogenous color, as darker surfaces absorb more laser energy
  • Lightly sand the wood's surface to achieve a smooth texture
  • Apply a thin, even layer of sealant to the wood's surface, but avoid applying it too thickly
  • Let the sealant dry completely, as drying time can vary depending on the sealant and environmental factors 

 For laser engraving wood, a borax water mix can be used to create darker laser etches. The ratio of borax to water depends on how dark you want the engraving to be:
  • 2–3% borax: For a light darkening
  • 5–10% borax: For a more dramatic darkening 
To make the solution, you can mix 5–10 teaspoons of borax with 1 cup (237 ml) of distilled water. You can also use one tablespoon of borax with five ounces of very hot water. The water should be as hot as possible to help dissolve the borax powder. You can then pour the solution into a squirt bottle and spray it onto the wood, spreading it out with a foam brush. 
Here are the steps for using borax to laser engrave wood:
  1. Apply the borax solution to the wood
  2. Allow it to dry
  3. Laser etch 
Some say that borax produces darker results than baking soda, but it's sooty and doesn't hold detail as well. You can also try applying stains or finishes to enhance the contrast of the engraved wood. 
When engraving images on borax-treated wood, you may need to use slightly less than half the laser power to achieve a similar result. 
Borax is more effective at absorbing laser light, which means less is reflected and more heat is transferred into the wood. This can help you get darker images at lower power, or at higher speed, or both. However, some say that borax is sooty, not stable, and doesn't hold detail as well as baking soda. 


  • Pre-engraving treatment: Apply a solution of water and borax or baking soda before engraving. To prepare a baking soda mixture, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda
  •  with 500 ml of water, stir, pour into a spray bottle, and spray the wood evenly. Let it dry for 24 hours.
  • Some say borax tends to yield better results than baking soda.
  • Pre-engraving stain: Apply a darker stain to increase contrast.
  • Wood filler: Apply a wood filler or colored wax into the engraved areas.
  • Chemical darkening agents: Apply a diluted solution of potassium permanganate to the engraved area.
  • Post-engraving paint or ink: Apply acrylic paint or ink over the engraved area. Some recommend using flat black paint, not satin black, as satin black has a slight shine.