Laser Engraved Gifts with Heat Transfer Warehouse

Laser engravers have completely transformed the way we think about DIY projects and handmade gifts. 

With the right laser engraving machine, you can take everyday items—like a cutting board, a wine corkscrew, or even bamboo coasters—and turn them into thoughtful, high quality keepsakes that will last for years.

CUSTOM GIFTS

In this post, I’ll show you how I used my xTool S1 20W compact diode laser with laser blanks from Heat Transfer Warehouse to create a collection of customizable laser-engraved gift ideas that are perfect for special occasions, corporate gifts, or holiday ornaments during the winter season.

Whether you’re a small business or a weekend crafter, laser engraving opens up endless opportunities to make unique designs and personalized touch projects. 

These are excellent gifts that you can sell at local markets or give to loved ones for Christmas, weddings, Mother's and Father’s Day, birthdays, or housewarming parties.

Let’s dive in and create some custom laser projects that are simple, personal, and full of character!

Gather your list of gift recipients for the holiday season, order a box of goodies and blanks from Heat Transfer Warehouse and get all your gifts made easily with a laser.

Supplies Needed for this set of Engraved Gifts:

affiliate links

• xTool S1 20W Laser Engraver – a compact diode laser that’s powerful and easy to use.
• Laser blanks from Heat Transfer Warehouse
• Bamboo Cutting Boards
• Bento Container with Bamboo Lids 
• Bottle Openers (Teal)
• Slate Coasters (Square or Circle)
• Wine Corkscrew (Teal)
• Masking tape (optional, for cleaner engraves)
• Design software (like xTool Creative Space or LightBurn)
• A flat surface for engraving setup
• A soft cloth for cleaning residue
• Kawaii Images from Creative Fabrica

Step 1: Choosing Your Projects and Materials

The best way to start laser engraving is by selecting everyday objects that people already use and love.

Think of water bottles, picture frames, leather wallets, phone cases, glass coasters, and stainless steel tumblers—these are all most popular engraved gifts because they balance practicality with a personal touch.

For this tutorial, I picked a few favorite products from Heat Transfer Warehouse that make great gifts year-round.

Slate coasters engraved with a monogram “L.” A bottle opener engraved with “Party Time.” 

Bamboo lids from bento storage containers engraved with cute Kawaii food images — a fun touch for children’s rooms or kitchen gifts.

Step 2: Prepping Your Designs

One of the best parts of working with a custom laser is the ability to engrave anything from favorite quotes to family names or even a wedding date. I designed my files in xTool Creative Space using simple vector graphics and text layers.

Here are some customization tips:

• Use contour lines around your text or graphics to define your engraving area.
• For family name engravings, choose clean serif fonts that will stand out against the grain of the wood.
• For fun Kawaii-style images, bold outlines and minimal shading work best.
• You can even combine laser engraving with fabric paint, resin, or decorative patterns afterward for mixed-media effects.

If you’re creating wedding keepsakes, graduation gifts, or heartfelt memorials, include a special message or a couple’s names to make it extra meaningful.

A bamboo cutting board engraved with “Litchfield Family” or personal inscription for a sentimental gift.

A wine corkscrew engraved with “Let’s celebrate” — perfect for party favors and special events.
Each of these items offers an excellent gift opportunity, combining utility with custom designs that make them stand out from mass-produced products.

Step 3: Engraving Slate Coasters

Slate is a stunning material to engrave on because of its deep, natural tone. I engraved a bold monogram “L” for the Litchfield Family set, creating a cohesive look when paired with the cutting board.

These slate coasters are perfect custom items for weddings, holiday ornaments, or new baby announcements when designed appropriately.  (Wooden coasters or glass coasters are available too!)

Add the wedding date or initials for couple’s names, and you’ve got an instant wedding keepsake.

Customization tip: To protect your engravings, lightly seal the surface with mineral oil after engraving.

(Just engrave using xTool's slate or rock setting)

Step 4: Engraving the Bottle Opener

The bottle opener engraved with “Party Time” makes an instant unique gift for any special occasion. 

It’s simple, functional, and adds that special touch that elevates an everyday object into something people will keep.

You can also adapt this idea for pen sets, acrylic phone stands, or even promotional pens for your small business. 

It’s all about giving your audience a lasting impression of your brand.

Step 5: Engraving the Bento Box Lids

For something adorable and a little unexpected, I engraved cute Kawaii food images on bamboo lids from bento storage containers. 

These designs add personality to everyday items, and they’re perfect for gifting during the winter season or back-to-school time.

Using your laser engraving machine for these unique designs is also a good way to make children’s rooms or lunch setups extra fun. 

You could even personalize them with the child’s name.

Remove the bento box lid and place it on the honeycomb riser base.

Engrave the bamboo lid using the "bamboo" settings on the xTool software.

I love how cute and cheerful these container boxes turned out!

They make a regular container blush with jealousy, because these just look so inviting!

Step 6: Engraving the Bamboo Cutting Board

The bamboo cutting board is a classic choice for custom laser engraving, especially for family recipe projects or housewarming special occasions.

I positioned my design so the “Litchfield Family” text was centered with the laurel leaves and monogram in the center, all designed right in xTool Creative Space using their fonts and stock shapes.

Next, I set the materials setting to bamboo, then adjusted the laser power for a medium-depth engraving to bring out the wood grain texture.

Engraving bamboo creates beautiful contrast lines, and the result feels incredibly professional. 

It’s a great gift for weddings, anniversaries, or even corporate gifts when engraved with a business owner’s logo.

Customization tip: Add a family recipe or a special message to the back of the cutting board for a double-sided custom gift.

Step 7: Engraving the Wine Corkscrew

Next, I engraved a wine corkscrew that says “Let’s celebrate.” 

This is a fun and compact item that’s ideal for promotional products or party favors. 

A small design with clear contour lines works best, since the engraving space is limited.

If you’re planning to sell promotional items or corporate gifts, having a discount code or next purchase incentive engraved subtly on the handle can encourage customers to return.

Step 8: Experimenting with Other Materials

The xTool S1 20W can handle a variety of materials, from wood and bamboo to leather, acrylic, and glass. Here are a few more customizable laser-engraved gift ideas you can try next:

• Leather wallets with initials or favorite quotes
• Stainless steel tumblers with family names or logos
• Phone cases with decorative patterns
• Photo engraved plaques for heartfelt memorials
• Water bottles with special messages
• Holiday ornaments with custom designs or seasonal ornaments

There’s truly no limit to what a laser engraving machine can do when it comes to custom designs and unique gifts.

Step 9: Packaging and Presentation

Presentation is everything! Wrap your custom items in simple white tissue paper, tuck them in a piece of cardboard, and tie with jute twine or a satin ribbon. For corporate gifts, include your logo and a small discount code for the recipient’s next purchase.

This kind of personal touch makes a huge difference in how your gifts are received. Whether you’re gifting a picture frame, pen set, or bamboo coasters, presentation completes the experience.

Step 10: Selling and Promoting Your Laser Creations

If you’re a small business or business owner, these customizable laser-engraved gift ideas are a smart way to expand your offerings. Many promotional items like water bottles, leather wallets, and glass coasters can double as both corporate gifts and personal presents.

Offer occasional deals or new arrivals around the winter season, and showcase how your laser engraving transforms everyday objects into excellent gifts. Share on social media, list on Etsy, or sell at local markets to reach more customers who value high quality, personalized touch items.

Why Laser Engraving Makes Such a Great Gift Idea

Engraved gifts have a timeless charm. Unlike mass-produced products, a custom laser project feels personal, meaningful, and deeply thoughtful. Adding a special message or engraving a family name turns a simple cutting board or wine glass into a sentimental gift that carries emotion.

Laser engravers are the best way to create lasting impressions through craftsmanship and creativity. You don’t need to be an expert designer—just start with simple designs, test on scrap materials, and you’ll quickly see how laser engraving transforms the world of DIY.

That's it!

Whether you’re crafting for special events, corporate gifts, or just to celebrate special occasions with loved ones, the xTool S1 20W and Heat Transfer Warehouse blanks make it easy to create high-quality, custom designs.

The bamboo cutting board engraved with a family name, the wine corkscrew with a special message, the bamboo coasters, and the slate coasters all showcase how versatile and beautiful laser engraving can be. From wedding keepsakes to holiday ornaments, you can personalize nearly anything.

So grab your compact diode laser, experiment with variety of materials, and enjoy the process of adding that special touch to your custom gifts. Whether it’s for Christmas, a new baby, Mother's or Father’s Day, or just for fun, your creations will make a lasting impression and stand apart from anything store-bought.

Laser engraving truly combines technology with creativity — and it’s the fantastic way to give everyday objects new meaning, beauty, and heart.

Like, Pin and Save!