Why Choose Little 6 for Laser Engraving?

• No minimums: One piece or 1,000 pieces
• Fast turnaround: Most projects done in 2-3 business days
• Local service: Right here in Maricopa
• Veteran-owned: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Quality guarantee: Military precision in every project

Step 1: Design Creation
Your design is created in vector software (AI, EPS, SVG) or provided as high-resolution artwork.

Step 2: Machine Setup
Material is placed in the laser bed. Focus height is adjusted for the material thickness.

Step 3: Parameter Settings
We set power, speed, and frequency based on the material. Wood needs different settings than metal.

Step 4: Engraving
The laser follows the design path. It removes material layer by layer. This creates depth and contrast.

Engraving: Removes material. Creates depth. You can feel it with your finger.

Marking: Changes surface color only. No depth. Common on anodized aluminum or coated metals.

Best woods for engraving:

• Maple (light color, shows high contrast)
• Cherry (beautiful reddish tone when engraved)
• Walnut (dark wood, creates elegant look)
• Birch plywood (affordable, consistent)
• Bamboo (eco-friendly, modern aesthetic)

Results: Dark brown or black engraving. Depth varies based on power settings.

Applications: Awards, plaques, signs, cutting boards, coasters, picture frames

Why acrylic is amazing:

• Engraves white (frosted appearance)
• High contrast on colored acrylic
• Can be edge-lit with LEDs
• Professional, modern look

Cast vs Extruded: Cast acrylic engraves white/frosted. Extruded acrylic can melt or produce poor results. We only use cast acrylic.

Applications: Awards, desk name plates, signage, display pieces, light boxes

What we can do:

• Surface etching (frosted appearance)
• Fine detail work
• Photos and logos
• Text in any font

Limitations: Glass can crack if parameters aren’t perfect. We use low power and multiple passes.

Applications: Awards, wine glasses, beer mugs, mirrors, decorative pieces

Why laser is perfect for leather:

• Creates a burned, darkened mark
• No pressure (won’t damage delicate items)
• Intricate detail possible
• Natural, rustic appearance

Best leather types: Vegetable-tanned leather (natural color). Avoid chrome-tanned (can produce toxic fumes).

Applications: Wallets, belts, journals, keychains, patches, guitar straps

How it works:

Laser removes the anodized coating. This reveals bright silver aluminum underneath.

Popular colors: Black, blue, red, gold (laser reveals silver on all of them)

Applications: Name tags, data plates, equipment labels, dog tags, keychains

Examples:

• YETI tumblers (powder-coated stainless)
• Painted signs
• Coated tool handles

Result: Laser removes coating, reveals base metal. Creates permanent mark that won’t wear off.

• Bare stainless steel/aluminum: Requires fiber laser (we don’t have this)
• PVC/vinyl: Produces toxic chlorine gas (safety hazard)
• Polycarbonate: Melts and discolors poorly
• Food-contact surfaces: Health code restrictions
• Chrome-tanned leather: Contains chromium (toxic when burned)

Employee of the Month/Year Awards

• Wood plaques with engraved nameplates
• Acrylic standing awards
• Glass desktop pieces

Sports Awards

• Team plaques
• Individual recognition
• Championship commemorations

Retirement Gifts

• Years of service plaques
• Personalized desk items
• Custom engraved watches or pens

• Office door signs: Wood or acrylic with employee names and titles
• Restroom signs: ADA-compliant options available
• Directional signage: “Conference Room A,” “Break Room,” etc.
• Equipment labels: Asset tags, safety warnings, operating instructions
• Desk name plates: Wood or acrylic for professional appearance

Popular gift items:

• Engraved cutting boards (wedding gifts, housewarming)
• Custom coasters (business logos, family names)
• Leather journals (corporate gifts, graduation)
• Engraved wine glasses or beer mugs
• Picture frames with names and dates
• Keychains (leather or acrylic)

Why laser-engraved gifts win: Permanent. Won’t fade or wash off. Unique and personal. Professional quality.

• Memorial benches or plaques
• Pet memorial stones
• Military service tributes
• Family tree displays
• Historic property markers

• Handmade goods: Engrave your brand on wooden products
• Leather goods: Brand wallets, belts, bags
• Tool handles: Company logos on custom tools
• Retail packaging: Wooden boxes with engraved logos

• Wedding favors (coasters, bottle openers)
• Corporate event giveaways
• Fundraiser merchandise
• Conference name badges
• Tournament prizes

Local Maricopa Examples

We’ve engraved for:

• Maricopa High School awards and plaques
• Local business signage and name tags
• City of Maricopa recognition items
• Veterans In Need Project fundraising items
• Chamber of Commerce member recognition

Rotary Engraving (Traditional Method):

• Uses spinning cutting bit
• Physically removes material
• Limited to flat or cylindrical items
• Can’t do fine detail or photos
• Slower for complex designs

Laser Engraving:

• No physical contact with material
• Can do photographic detail
• Works on irregular surfaces
• Faster for complex artwork
• More versatile materials

Winner: Laser for versatility and detail. Rotary only for specific metal applications.

Chemical Etching:

• Uses acid to eat away material
• Requires masking and special equipment
• Hazardous chemicals involved
• Time-consuming setup
• Good for large production runs only

Laser Engraving:

• No chemicals needed
• Instant setup (just load the file)
• Safe process
• Perfect for one-offs or small runs
• Cleaner, more precise edges

Winner: Laser for small-to-medium production and safety.

Sandblasting:

• Uses compressed air and abrasive material
• Common for glass etching
• Requires vinyl masking
• Creates frosted appearance
• Limited detail capability

Laser Engraving on Glass:

• No masking needed
• Photo-quality detail possible
• Faster setup and execution
• Consistent depth
• No dust or cleanup

Winner: Laser for detail and speed. Sandblasting for very large glass panels only.

Bare stainless steel or aluminum: Requires fiber laser (different technology). We recommend anodized aluminum or coated metals instead.

Very deep engraving: CNC router or rotary engraver works better for 1/4″+ depth.

Vector files (BEST):

• .AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
• .SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
• .PDF (vector-based)

Raster files (GOOD for photos):

• .PNG (high resolution, 300 DPI minimum)
• .JPG (high quality, 300 DPI minimum)
• .TIFF

Avoid: Low-resolution images, MS Word documents (we’ll need to recreate), hand-drawn sketches (unless you want us to vectorize for a fee)

Option 1: We can create it for you

• Simple text layouts: FREE
• Logo recreation from low-quality image: $25-50
• Custom design from scratch: $50-100+

Option 2: Describe what you want

Example: “I want my company name in bold letters, with a line underneath, and our phone number below that.”

We’ll create a proof for your approval before engraving.

Photo requirements:

• High contrast (clear difference between light and dark areas)
• High resolution (minimum 300 DPI at final size)
• Clear subject (not blurry)
• Simple background works best

We can enhance photos using photo editing software before engraving. This service is included.

1. Machine Time

Complex designs take longer. Simple text is faster. More items = more time.

2. Material

Are you providing the material (plaques, cutting boards, etc.)? Or do we need to source it?

3. Setup & Design

Simple text = minimal setup. Custom artwork = more setup time. We’ll quote this upfront.

4. Quantity

First piece has setup cost. Additional pieces cost less per unit.

Simple name plate (customer-provided acrylic blank):

$15-25 for first piece, $10-15 for additional pieces

Wood plaque with logo and text (we provide 8×10 wood):

$45-75 depending on wood type and complexity

Engraved cutting board (customer provides board):

$25-40 depending on design complexity

Custom leather journal cover:

$30-50 depending on size and detail

Standard turnaround: 2-3 business days

This covers 90% of projects. Clock starts after design approval.

Same-day or next-day available: NO RUSH FEES

If we can fit it in, we’ll do it. Just ask.

Large orders (100+ pieces): 5-7 business days

We’ll confirm timeline when you order.

Little 6 Guarantee

No minimums. No rush fees. No surprises.
Just honest pricing and reliable service.

Step 1: Contact Us

Email: matt@little6llc.com
Phone: (520) 705-4026
Website: little6llc.com

Step 2: Tell Us What You Need

• What material? (wood, acrylic, glass, leather, etc.)
• What size?
• How many?
• What’s the deadline?
• Do you have artwork or need us to create it?

Step 3: Get a Quote

We’ll provide a detailed quote within 24 hours. No obligation.

Step 4: Approve Design

We’ll send a proof showing exactly how it will look. You approve before we engrave anything.

Step 5: We Engrave

Standard turnaround: 2-3 business days from approval.

Step 6: Pickup or Delivery

• Local pickup: Free (Maricopa location)
• Phoenix delivery: Available for larger orders
• Shipping: Available nationwide

The more details you provide, the faster we can quote:

• Attach artwork files if you have them
• Include reference images or examples
• Specify material preferences
• Note your deadline
• Ask questions – we’re here to help!

Q: Do you have a minimum order?

A: No. We’ll engrave one piece or 1,000 pieces.

Q: Can you engrave items I already own?

A: Yes. Bring in your items or ship them to us.

Q: How permanent is laser engraving?

A: Completely permanent. It won’t fade, wash off, or wear away under normal use.

Q: Can you match a specific font?

A: Yes. Send us a sample or font name. We have 1,000+ fonts available.

Q: Do you offer volume discounts?

A: Yes. The more you order, the lower the per-piece cost. Contact us for quantity pricing.

I’m Matt Harvey. I served 25 years in the Arizona Army National Guard. Eventually, I retired as a Major.

Military precision isn’t just a marketing line. It’s how we operate:

• Quality control on every piece
• Clear communication throughout
• Mission-focused service (your deadline is our mission)
• Accountability when things don’t go perfectly

We’re a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Supporting Little 6 supports a veteran-owned business.

Contact Little 6 Industries

📞 (520) 705-4026

📧 matt@little6llc.com

🌐 little6llc.com

Located in Maricopa, Arizona
Serving Pinal County and beyond

Get a Free Quote

Email us your project details. We’ll respond within 24 hours with a detailed quote.

Include: Material type, size, quantity, deadline, and artwork (if available)