How to Laser Engrave Bamboo Candle Lids (xTool DIY)

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How to Laser Engrave Bamboo Candle Lids (xTool DIY)

One of my favorite things about crafting is combining handmade projects with a touch of high-tech customization — and this bamboo candle lid engraving project is the perfect example!

Let's get started!

I recently used my xTool S1 20W diode laser to engrave bamboo lids for my handmade soy candles, turning simple glass containers into elegant, professional-looking custom gifts that could easily be sold in retail stores, souvenir shops, or given as promotional items.

Whether you’re making candles for your home, for everyday use, or to sell as custom items, engraving bamboo lids adds that extra layer of polish and personality.

Best of all, this project can be adapted for any theme or occasion — from holiday scents to wedding favors.

I recently used my xTool S1 20W diode laser to engrave bamboo lids for my handmade soy candles, turning simple glass containers into elegant, professional-looking custom gifts that could easily be sold in retail stores, souvenir shops, or given as promotional items. Whether you’re making candles for your home, for everyday use, or to sell as custom items, engraving bamboo lids adds that extra layer of polish and personality. Best of all, this project can be adapted for any theme or occasion — from holiday scents to wedding favors.

Here’s a full tutorial so you can create your own engraved candle lids, plus a few tips for getting the best results when using the xTool S1.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You’ll need just a few things to get started — most of which you might already have if you’ve dabbled in candle making or laser engraving before:

Here’s a full tutorial so you can create your own engraved candle lids, plus a few tips for getting the best results when using the xTool S1. Step 1: Gather Your Materials You’ll need just a few things to get started — most of which you might already have if you’ve dabbled in candle making or laser engraving before:

Supplies Needed for Engraved Bamboo Lid Candles

xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver
Candle Jars with Bamboo lids
Soy wax or your preferred candle wax
Wicks and wick holders
Fragrance oils or essential oils
Wax Melter and Pour Pitcher
Hot glue gun or wick stickers
Rubbing alcohol and soft cloth (for cleaning the engraving surface)
Design software (xTool Creative Space or compatible SVG design tool)

Here's a candle making kit that's got everything to get started except jars!

Supplies Needed for Engraved Bamboo Lid Candles xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver Candle Jars with Bamboo lids Soy wax or your preferred candle wax Wicks and wick holders Fragrance oils or essential oils Wax Melter and Pour Pitcher Hot glue gun or wick stickers Rubbing alcohol and soft cloth (for cleaning the engraving surface) Design software (xTool Creative Space or compatible SVG design tool) Here's a candle making kit that's got everything to get started except jars!

Step 2: Create Your Design

This is where your creativity shines! Think of the lid as your mini canvas — perfect for text, logos, or small illustrations.

xTool Creative Space has great stock shapes too!

Open xTool Creative Space and create or import your design. You can make themed graphics for holidays, weddings, or even small business branding. Popular options include:

Simple line art or botanical outlines
Custom names or monograms
Business logos for promotional items
Cute sayings like “Light this when relaxing” or “Handmade with love”

👉 Tip: Keep your designs clean and bold. Fine details may not show up well on the bamboo grain, so thicker lines work best.

Step 2: Create Your Design This is where your creativity shines! Think of the lid as your mini canvas — perfect for text, logos, or small illustrations. xTool Creative Space has great stock shapes too! Open xTool Creative Space and create or import your design. You can make themed graphics for holidays, weddings, or even small business branding. Popular options include: Simple line art or botanical outlines Custom names or monograms Business logos for promotional items Cute sayings like “Light this when relaxing” or “Handmade with love” 👉 Tip: Keep your designs clean and bold. Fine details may not show up well on the bamboo grain, so thicker lines work best.

Step 3: Prepare the Bamboo Lids

Before engraving, wipe each bamboo lid with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or oils. The surface of the bamboo should be flat and smooth for precise engraving.

If your bamboo lids are attached to your glass containers, gently remove them first. It’s much safer (and cleaner) to engrave them separately.

Step 3: Prepare the Bamboo Lids Before engraving, wipe each bamboo lid with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or oils. The surface of the bamboo should be flat and smooth for precise engraving. If your bamboo lids are attached to your glass containers, gently remove them first. It’s much safer (and cleaner) to engrave them separately.

Step 4: Set Up the Laser Engraver

Place your bamboo lids in the xTool S1 workspace. Make sure the focus is properly adjusted for the bamboo’s height — this ensures crisp, consistent engraving.

In xTool Creative Space, select your material as bamboo cutting board (or wood if that’s not listed). Use the recommended power and speed settings for the 20W diode laser.

Here’s a good starting point:

Power: 65–75%
Speed: 100–150 mm/s
Passes: 1
Air Assist ON

You can always do a small test engraving on the underside of a lid before committing to the final design.

Step 4: Set Up the Laser Engraver Place your bamboo lids in the xTool S1 workspace. Make sure the focus is properly adjusted for the bamboo’s height — this ensures crisp, consistent engraving. In xTool Creative Space, select your material as bamboo cutting board (or wood if that’s not listed). Use the recommended power and speed settings for the 20W diode laser. Here’s a good starting point: Power: 65–75% Speed: 100–150 mm/s Passes: 1 Air Assist ON You can always do a small test engraving on the underside of a lid before committing to the final design.

Step 5: Engraving the Lids

Click “Start” and let the laser engraving machine do its magic! The focused laser beam burns away the top layer of bamboo, leaving behind a beautifully darkened, natural engraving.

Watch as your design slowly appears on the stone-smooth bamboo surface — it’s such a satisfying process!

When done, gently wipe off any residue or dust. You’ll see that the engraved design contrasts beautifully with the light bamboo tone, creating a high-quality finish that looks store-bought.

Step 5: Engraving the Lids Click “Start” and let the laser engraving machine do its magic! The focused laser beam burns away the top layer of bamboo, leaving behind a beautifully darkened, natural engraving. Watch as your design slowly appears on the stone-smooth bamboo surface — it’s such a satisfying process! When done, gently wipe off any residue or dust. You’ll see that the engraved design contrasts beautifully with the light bamboo tone, creating a high-quality finish that looks store-bought.

Fit the lid back on the jar and it's ready to transform into a candle or use as a treat jar!

Step 6: Make the Candles

While your lids cool, pour your soy candles into clean glass containers.

Secure the wick in the center with a hot glue gun or wick sticker.

Melt and pour your wax into each jar.

Add fragrance or essential oils before the wax fully cools.

Let candles cure for 24–48 hours before sealing.

For square glass containers, measure carefully to ensure the bamboo lids fit snugly once the wax has set.

FULL TUTORIAL ON CANDLE MAKING ON THIS POST

Step 6: Make the Candles While your lids cool, pour your soy candles into clean glass containers. Secure the wick in the center with a hot glue gun or wick sticker. Melt and pour your wax into each jar. Add fragrance or essential oils before the wax fully cools. Let candles cure for 24–48 hours before sealing. For square glass containers, measure carefully to ensure the bamboo lids fit snugly once the wax has set. FULL TUTORIAL ON CANDLE MAKING ON THIS POST

Step 7: Assemble and Finish

After your candles have cooled, it’s time for the final touch — those engraved bamboo lids! Place each lid gently on top of the container.

You now have a complete candle that looks professional enough for sale or gifting. These make wonderful custom gifts for weddings, birthdays, holidays, or business events.

If you’re planning to sell or distribute them, you can offer customization options like imprint colors or personalized text. Many retail stores or souvenir shops love stocking locally made items that feature thoughtful details like engraved lids.

Step 7: Assemble and Finish After your candles have cooled, it’s time for the final touch — those engraved bamboo lids! Place each lid gently on top of the container. You now have a complete candle that looks professional enough for sale or gifting. These make wonderful custom gifts for weddings, birthdays, holidays, or business events. If you’re planning to sell or distribute them, you can offer customization options like imprint colors or personalized text. Many retail stores or souvenir shops love stocking locally made items that feature thoughtful details like engraved lids.

Step 8: Selling and Sharing Your Candles

If you want to take your project further, here are a few business-minded tips:

Custom Orders: Let customers decrease quantity for smaller batches — ideal for boutique orders or small businesses.

Shipping: Many suppliers offer free shipping on bulk bamboo lids or sample requests so you can test styles before committing.

Production Timeline: Plan ahead! Most bulk orders have a delivery time of 5–10 business days, so schedule accordingly for holidays or special events.

Additional Charges: Keep in mind that certain custom items may require additional charges for unique engraving or imprint colors.

Step 8: Selling and Sharing Your Candles If you want to take your project further, here are a few business-minded tips: Custom Orders: Let customers decrease quantity for smaller batches — ideal for boutique orders or small businesses. Shipping: Many suppliers offer free shipping on bulk bamboo lids or sample requests so you can test styles before committing. Production Timeline: Plan ahead! Most bulk orders have a delivery time of 5–10 business days, so schedule accordingly for holidays or special events. Additional Charges: Keep in mind that certain custom items may require additional charges for unique engraving or imprint colors.

Why Bamboo Lids Are a Great Choice

There’s something timeless about the combination of glass containers and engraved bamboo lids. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they add warmth and character to your final product.

Bamboo engraves beautifully, offering smooth contrast and clean lines. It’s durable, renewable, and makes every candle look luxurious — whether you’re using them for everyday use or gifting them as part of a custom promotional line.

Plus, if you ever upgrade your setup, the xTool P system integrates perfectly with the S1, giving you a larger working area and more flexibility for batch engraving.

Why Bamboo Lids Are a Great Choice There’s something timeless about the combination of glass containers and engraved bamboo lids. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they add warmth and character to your final product. Bamboo engraves beautifully, offering smooth contrast and clean lines. It’s durable, renewable, and makes every candle look luxurious — whether you’re using them for everyday use or gifting them as part of a custom promotional line. Plus, if you ever upgrade your setup, the xTool P system integrates perfectly with the S1, giving you a larger working area and more flexibility for batch engraving.

That's it!

Engraving bamboo candle lids is a fun and satisfying way to personalize your homemade candles — and it’s an excellent introduction to laser engraving projects for both hobbyists and small business owners.

With your xTool S1 diode laser, you can achieve precise, professional-quality engravings without complicated setup or expensive equipment.

Whether you’re making a few candles for gifts or creating a full product line for your shop, engraved bamboo lids instantly elevate your final product.

So go ahead — grab your glass containers, pour your favorite scents, and start engraving those bamboo lids.

You’ll love how polished and professional your custom gifts look, and your recipients will treasure them long after the candles burn down.

Like, Pin and Save!

Engraving bamboo candle lids is a fun and satisfying way to personalize your homemade candles — and it’s an excellent introduction to laser engraving projects for both hobbyists and small business owners. With your xTool S1 diode laser, you can achieve precise, professional-quality engravings without complicated setup or expensive equipment. Whether you’re making a few candles for gifts or creating a full product line for your shop, engraved bamboo lids instantly elevate your final product. So go ahead — grab your glass containers, pour your favorite scents, and start engraving those bamboo lids. You’ll love how polished and professional your custom gifts look, and your recipients will treasure them long after the candles burn down.

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