Laser Engraving: Custom Branded Packaging

We were first introduced to XTool laser imprinting from our customer, Euco Solid Shampoo & Conditioner. Their packaging looked so impressive that we decided to explore the technology ourselves. To learn more, we scheduled a demo with the XTool team at their Mountain View headquarters, where Matthew Huang, our Customer Success contact, walked us through the machines and their capabilities.

We began by testing the P2 and P3 CO₂ lasers, running several test passes to dial in the settings. The results were good, but not quite perfect. There was some residual carbon from the burning process, and while the image quality was strong, it wasn’t as sharp as we had hoped.

Next, we tested the F1 machine, which uses a blue-light laser, and the results were impressive right out of the gate—both cleaner and faster than the P2 or P3. For our test, we used a detailed mosaic design, and the engraved image came through clearly with minimal carbon residue. The level of detail and overall crispness stood out immediately.

In addition to laser engraving, the machines can also be used to cut custom features, such as die-cut windows, in fun and creative shapes.

Matthew explained that laser settings need to be fine-tuned for each material. Our packaging is made from molded fiber (pulp), similar in density to a heavy cardboard. While we can’t speak to performance on other materials, the F1 delivered excellent results on our molded pulp packaging.

The F1 machine is set up to process one item at a time, though XTool does offer a conveyor attachment that can increase throughput. While this wouldn’t replace traditional manufacturing for large production runs, it could be a great solution for short runs or small-batch personalization.

Overall, laser imprinting is a compelling option for adding customized detail to GreenKraft packaging, and one we’re excited to continue exploring.  There are a wide variety of other lasers on the market, including blue light diode, CO2 and fiber. If we can find demos, we will try some of these other brands as well.