Engraving Jewelry

How to Engrave Handwriting on Silver Jewelry | xTool F1 Ultra + Orion mPulse

Posted on by misohaan
27
Jan

Create meaningful handwritten jewelry with an easy step-by-step tutorial!

Creating custom, personalized jewelry is a powerful way to add value to your jewelry business. One of the most popular requests is handwriting engraving. This guide walks you through the professional process of capturing handwriting and engraving it onto a sterling silver pendant using the XTool F1 Ultra and finishing it with an Orion mPulse welder.

f1 hand writing

Step 1: Capture the Handwriting ✏️

First, you need a digital version of the handwriting. If you are at an event or in your studio, you can use an iPad, a laptop, or even a cell phone

  1. Use a sketching app: Open a simple app like Whiteboard and have the customer write their message.
  2. Transfer the file: Save the image and transfer it to your computer (e.g., via Airdrop).
F1 Trace and Edit Compound

Step 2: Prepare the Vector File 💾

Once the image is in your engraving software, you need to convert it into a format the laser can read.

  1. Trace the image: Import the file and use the Edit>Trace function to create an outline vector.
  2. Convert to SVG: Exporting the design as an SVG file allows you to save it for future use.
  3. Adjust the Layout: If the handwriting is too long for a circular pendant, use the “Edit Compound” tool to move individual letters or words to fit the shape. You can also use “Edit Release Compounds” if you need to make minor changes to specific vectors.
F1 auto-measure and focus

Step 3: Set Up the Hardware and Focus Vector File 👀

Place your pendant (e.g., an 11 mm sterling silver piece) on the plate.

  • Auto-Measure/Focus: Adjust the laser head until the red and blue dots overlap to ensure the laser is perfectly focused on the surface.
  • Material Selection: Select the correct material in your settings. Be cautious, as some items may be silver-plated over stainless steel rather than solid sterling silver

Tips: Sometimes, you click on unknown material, and there’s silver.

F1 Rect Framing

Step 4: Framing for Exact Placement 📐

Because jewelry is often very small, exact placement is critical.

  1. Create a Template: Create a digital circle that matches the exact size of your pendant (e.g., 11 mm) to use as a guide.
  2. Use Framing Settings: Use the Framing Settings function>Outline to project light onto the piece. Square framing (Framing Settings function>Rect)is often more useful for small pieces to see the perimeter clearly.
  3. Fine-tune: Do not trust the screen alone; the framing light is more accurate. Manually move the design on the axes until it is perfectly centered.
F1 Laser setting

Step 5: Configure Laser Settings 🔍

For precious metals like silver, the settings must be precise to avoid “burn spread”

  • Laser Type: Ensure you are using the Fiber IR setting, as the Blue light laser is better suited for wood or leather.
  • Speed and Power: Use 100% power with a higher speed (around 600 mm/s). A higher speed with more passes provides more precision and prevents the burn from spreading and becoming pixelated.
  • Depth: Perform multiple passes to ensure the engraving is deep enough to wear well over time.
F1 Cleaning pass

Step 6: Cleaning and Polishing 🫧

After the initial engraving passes, the design may look dark due to oxidation.

• Cleaning Pass: Run a final pass at a lower power (around 30% power). This removes the dark oxidation, makes the silver “pop,” and gives it a polished look

welding pendants with mPlus welder

Step 7: Final Assembly and Welding 💥

To turn the pendant into a necklace, you will need a chain and jump rings.

  1. Attach Jump Rings: Use a 20-gauge jump ring for the pendant and a finer 24-gauge ring for the clasp.
  2. Weld the Seams: For a professional, secure finish, use a pulse arc welder like the Orion mPulse.
    • Set the power between 5 to 8 watts, depending on the thickness of the ring.
    • Jeweler’s Tip: Use argon gas for a smoother, cleaner weld.
    • Hide the Seam: After welding, pinch the jump ring slightly to move the seam into a position where it is less visible.
  3. Buffing: Quickly buff the welded area to remove any remaining oxidation from the heat.

💡Pro Tips!

1. Trust Framing Over the Screen: Digital alignment on your screen is often inaccurate; always rely on the laser’s framing light for placement. For small pendants, use square framing and a slightly undersized digital template to verify even margins around the piece.

2. Optimize Speed for Clarity: When engraving fine handwriting, use a faster speed (e.g., 600 mm/s) with multiple passes to prevent the “burn rate” from spreading and causing pixelation. Ensure the fiber laser setting is selected, as it is required for metal.

3. Refine the Finish: Run a cleanup pass at 30% power to remove oxidation; this allows you to see the true depth of the engraving and makes the silver “pop” with a polished look. After welding jump rings, pinch them slightly to shift the seam to a hidden position

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