How to Laser Engrave Rocks (xTool Place Settings DIY)

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How to Laser Engrave Rocks (xTool Place Settings DIY)

Learn how to make beautiful engraved stones that make perfect decorative items or custom place settings for a holiday dinner table.

Each one looks elegant and timeless — a keepsake your guests can take home after the meal.

Let's get started!

If you’ve ever wanted to try laser engraving stone, this is your comprehensive guide to getting high-quality results with the right tools, settings, and safety precautions.

LASER ENGRAVING STONES!

If you love creative ideas that blend nature and technology, you’re going to adore this rock engraving project!

I recently picked up a single piece of pebble tile from the home improvement store — you know, the kind made of natural stones attached to a mesh backing for showers or backsplashes.

I soaked the tile in hot soapy water to break down the adhesive, freed each smooth stone from the mesh, and used a scraper to remove any residue.

After drying them completely, I used my xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver to personalize each stone surface with names.

If you’ve ever wanted to try laser engraving stone, this is your comprehensive guide to getting high-quality results with the right tools, settings, and safety precautions.

Supplies Needed for Laser Engraved Rock Place Settings:

Sheet of pebble tile (made from natural stones like river rock or marble)
Bucket of hot soapy water
Scraper or putty knife
Towels or paper towels for drying
xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver
Computer with xTool Creative Space software
Optional: masking tape to hold stones in place

Step 1: Prepare the Stones

Start by soaking your pebble tile in hot soapy water for 15–30 minutes. This softens the adhesive that holds the ordinary stones to the mesh backing. Once loosened, gently pull them off one by one.

If there’s any leftover glue or backing material, use a scraper or the edge of a craft knife to remove it completely. You want each stone’s surface as clean and smooth as possible for best results during engraving.

After scraping, rinse and dry the stones thoroughly. A flat surface and fully dry stone are key to achieving high-contrast engravings.

Step 1: Prepare the Stones Start by soaking your pebble tile in hot soapy water for 15–30 minutes. This softens the adhesive that holds the ordinary stones to the mesh backing. Once loosened, gently pull them off one by one. If there’s any leftover glue or backing material, use a scraper or the edge of a craft knife to remove it completely. You want each stone’s surface as clean and smooth as possible for best results during engraving. After scraping, rinse and dry the stones thoroughly. A flat surface and fully dry stone are key to achieving high-contrast engravings.

Step 2: Select Your Stones

Different types of stones yield slightly different engraving contrast and finishes. Smooth river rock and classy marble offer clean, crisp finer details, while tough granite produces more muted deep engravings.

For this project, I chose smooth river rocks from the pebble tile sheet — each one has unique qualities and a beautiful appearance.

Try to select stones that have a flat surface on at least one side. This ensures your laser cutter can focus evenly, providing precise control and the best way to achieve high-quality results.

Step 2: Select Your Stones Different types of stones yield slightly different engraving contrast and finishes. Smooth river rock and classy marble offer clean, crisp finer details, while tough granite produces more muted deep engravings. For this project, I chose smooth river rocks from the pebble tile sheet — each one has unique qualities and a beautiful appearance. Try to select stones that have a flat surface on at least one side. This ensures your laser cutter can focus evenly, providing precise control and the best way to achieve high-quality results.

Step 3: Set Up the Laser Engraver

Place your clean, dry stones on the honeycomb bed of your xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver. This model offers great performance for small to medium engraved areas, making it an excellent choice for home crafters and stone engraving lovers alike.

If you’re working with larger workpieces or want to engrave many stones at once, the xTool P 2 or 3 (with its larger working area) or xTool F 1 Ultra (for fiber laser engraving) are both top choices depending on your project scale.

In xTool Creative Space, open a new project, import your text, and adjust the layout so the names fit nicely on each stone. Use the alignment grid to position each word precisely where you want it.

Select Stone/Rock as your material type — this automatically loads the correct laser parameters. The S1’s diode laser engraver uses a focused laser beam that interacts beautifully with various types of stones, creating stunning detailed engravings with minimal setup.

Step 3: Set Up the Laser Engraver Place your clean, dry stones on the honeycomb bed of your xTool S1 20W diode laser engraver. This model offers great performance for small to medium engraved areas, making it an excellent choice for home crafters and stone engraving lovers alike. If you’re working with larger workpieces or want to engrave many stones at once, the xTool P 2 or 3 (with its larger working area) or xTool F 1 Ultra (for fiber laser engraving) are both top choices depending on your project scale. In xTool Creative Space, open a new project, import your text, and adjust the layout so the names fit nicely on each stone. Use the alignment grid to position each word precisely where you want it. Select Stone/Rock as your material type — this automatically loads the correct laser parameters. The S1’s diode laser engraver uses a focused laser beam that interacts beautifully with various types of stones, creating stunning detailed engravings with minimal setup.

Step 4: Adjust Settings for Best Results

Laser engraving works by concentrating high-energy beams of light onto the stone’s surface, creating contrast through micro-fracturing and heat discoloration.

The xTool S1 makes this process beginner-friendly. For engraving stones, I recommend:

Power: 100%
Speed: 200–300 mm/min
Passes: 1–2 depending on your type of stone
Air Assist: On (to help with debris removal and clean edges)

Always test engrave one sample stone before starting your full batch — every type of stone reacts differently. Lighter stones show darker marks, while dark stones often result in high-contrast engravings with white or gray text.

If you’re looking for deeper engravings or high contrast, try running an additional pass or lowering the speed slightly. That’ll allow the laser to burn a bit longer on each area, creating detailed results with fine details.

$Step 4: Adjust Settings for Best Results Laser engraving works by concentrating high-energy beams of light onto the stone’s surface, creating contrast through micro-fracturing and heat discoloration. The xTool S1 makes this process beginner-friendly. For engraving stones, I recommend: Power: 100% Speed: 200–300 mm/min Passes: 1–2 depending on your type of stone Air Assist: On (to help with debris removal and clean edges) Always test engrave one sample stone before starting your full batch — every type of stone reacts differently. Lighter stones show darker marks, while dark stones often result in high-contrast engravings with white or gray text. If you’re looking for deeper engravings or high contrast, try running an additional pass or lowering the speed slightly. That’ll allow the laser to burn a bit longer on each area, creating detailed results with fine details.$

Step 5: Engraving Time!

Now comes the magic moment — hit “Start” and watch your laser engraving machine in action.

The diode laser engraver emits a precise focused laser beam that traces each letter or design across the stone surface. Even intricate designs like cursive names or tiny flourishes engrave cleanly, thanks to the laser technology’s precise control and higher frequencies.

You’ll notice how the laser engraving offers a level of fine detail that’s hard to match with traditional engraving methods or chemical etching. Unlike traditional methods, there’s no chipping, no dust mess, and no need for special bits — just clean, smooth detailed engravings.

Step 6: Clean and Admire

Once the engraving finishes, wipe the surface of the stone gently with a damp cloth to remove any soot or dust.

You’ll see the beautiful designs clearly: high-contrast, permanent, and elegant. Whether you go for bold block letters or delicate script, the final product looks polished and professional.

Each stone carries that handmade, natural charm — proof that laser stone engraving can combine both modern laser technology and traditional artistry.

Step 6: Clean and Admire Once the engraving finishes, wipe the surface of the stone gently with a damp cloth to remove any soot or dust. You’ll see the beautiful designs clearly: high-contrast, permanent, and elegant. Whether you go for bold block letters or delicate script, the final product looks polished and professional. Each stone carries that handmade, natural charm — proof that laser stone engraving can combine both modern laser technology and traditional artistry.

Step 8: Display or Gift

Now that your engraved stones are done, it’s time to show them off!

For this project, I used them as place setting stones for a holiday meal — each guest had their name engraved on a smooth surface rock at their table spot. It adds an earthy, sophisticated touch that feels festive and personal.

But you can take this idea in so many directions! Laser engraving offers endless applications for different materials and kinds of stones, such as:

Garden stones with uplifting quotes
Memorial headstones or small remembrance keepsakes
Decorative items for weddings or home decor
Slate engraving for coasters or signage
Creative gifts that stand the test of time
Gift tags for holiday presents

Whether you’re working with ordinary stones or classy marble, a laser engraving machine gives you the best methods for creating long-lasting, beautiful designs with minimal effort.

Step 8: Display or Gift Now that your engraved stones are done, it’s time to show them off! For this project, I used them as place setting stones for a holiday meal — each guest had their name engraved on a smooth surface rock at their table spot. It adds an earthy, sophisticated touch that feels festive and personal. But you can take this idea in so many directions! Laser engraving offers endless applications for different materials and kinds of stones, such as: Garden stones with uplifting quotes Memorial headstones or small remembrance keepsakes Decorative items for weddings or home decor Slate engraving for coasters or signage Creative gifts that stand the test of time Gift tags for holiday presents Whether you’re working with ordinary stones or classy marble, a laser engraving machine gives you the best methods for creating long-lasting, beautiful designs with minimal effort.

In the laser industry, laser engraving stone has become a popular choice among both hobbyists and professionals.

It provides high-quality results, finer details, and deeper engravings than most traditional methods can achieve.

When you have the right laser machine, like the xTool S1 diode laser engraver, you gain precise control over every line and curve.

The laser sources in modern engravers produce high-energy beams that react differently across various types of stones, giving each project its own beautiful appearance and unique qualities.

In the laser industry, laser engraving stone has become a popular choice among both hobbyists and professionals. It provides high-quality results, finer details, and deeper engravings than most traditional methods can achieve. When you have the right laser machine, like the xTool S1 diode laser engraver, you gain precise control over every line and curve. The laser sources in modern engravers produce high-energy beams that react differently across various types of stones, giving each project its own beautiful appearance and unique qualities.

Compared to fiber laser engraving (which excels at metals) or CO₂ lasers (great for wood and acrylic), a diode laser engraver like the S1 remains the best option for home crafters looking for accessibility, ease of use, and great performance on natural stones.

In short: it’s one of the coolest tools for makers who love to mix technology and creativity.

That's it!

Engraving stones with the xTool S1 diode laser is a satisfying way to create lasting keepsakes with a personal touch. Each engraved area tells a story — whether it’s a name, date, or quote — preserved forever in stone.

This simple project proves that with the right tools, a flat surface, and some creative ideas, you can transform ordinary stones into custom decorative items that will stand the test of time.

The final result is natural, durable, and undeniably beautiful — a perfect blend of art, science, and sentiment.

So next time you’re walking past a tile display or river rock bin, grab a handful and give laser stone engraving a try. You’ll quickly see why this technique is a top choice for modern makers and stone engraving lovers alike!

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Engraving stones with the xTool S1 diode laser is a satisfying way to create lasting keepsakes with a personal touch. Each engraved area tells a story — whether it’s a name, date, or quote — preserved forever in stone. This simple project proves that with the right tools, a flat surface, and some creative ideas, you can transform ordinary stones into custom decorative items that will stand the test of time. The final result is natural, durable, and undeniably beautiful — a perfect blend of art, science, and sentiment. So next time you’re walking past a tile display or river rock bin, grab a handful and give laser stone engraving a try. You’ll quickly see why this technique is a top choice for modern makers and stone engraving lovers alike!

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