How to Make Laser Engraved Cork Coasters (Lake Map Style)

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Laser engraved cork coasters are one of those “small” products that can turn into a serious best-seller. They’re lightweight, affordable to ship, and customers love the warm, natural look, especially when you add personalized details like lake names, coordinates, or a compass design.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make laser engraved cork coasters using a OneLaser XRF and LightBurn, including the exact engraving and cutting settings you provided. We’ll also cover practical tips to keep your engraving crisp, avoid shifting cork, and assemble a premium-looking coaster with a painted wood backing.

1. Why cork is great for laser coasters

Cork is soft and compressible. That’s good for absorbing moisture and protecting tables—but it also means cork can shift, lift, or fray if you don’t secure it properly or if your cut settings are too aggressive.

The good news: cork engraves beautifully on a CO₂ laser when you:

• Keep it flat and firmly held down
• Use a supportive backing board for stability
• Dial in engraving power so you get clean contrast without over-burning

When done right, laser engraving cork coasters produces sharp text and fine linework that looks handmade and premium.

2. Materials and tools you’ll need

Here’s your exact prep list, plus a few helpful extras.

a. Core materials

1. Cork (sheet or pre-cut coaster blanks)
2. OneLaser XRF
3. LightBurn software
4. 5mm thick linden board (as the backing under the cork)
5. Glue and paint
6. Lake Coasters file

b. Optional but recommended

• Painter’s tape (for quick positioning guides)
• Small brush or air blower (for cleanup)
• Fine grit sandpaper (for cleaning wood edges)
• Sealer/clear coat (adds durability for “gift-grade” finishing)

3. Design idea: Lake map coasters that customers actually buy

Lake coasters are popular because they feel personal without needing a photo. The common elements that sell well include:

• Lake name + state(s)
• Compass icon
• Coordinates (lat/long)
• Minimal shoreline linework
• A clean outer coaster outline

This style also looks great in sets (4–6 coasters), which increases your average order value.

Discover Coaster Ideas

4. Step-by-step: How to make laser engraved cork coasters

Step 1: Place the cork on the machine bed and secure it with magnets

Cork sheets are light, and the air assist or head movement can sometimes lift edges—so securing the cork is crucial.

Best practice setup

• Place the cork sheet flat on the bed.
• Put the 5mm linden board nearby (you’ll cut it later) or stage it for the next cut.
• Use magnets to hold the cork down at the corners and edges.
• Make sure magnets sit outside the design area and outside the laser path.

Step 2: Import the Lake Coasters file into LightBurn and assign layers

Open LightBurn and import your design file.

You’ll typically set up three operations:

1. Engrave the details on cork (text + map details)
2. Cut cork (lake shoreline lines + coaster outline)
3. Cut the linden board backing (coaster outline only)

A clean way to do it is to assign:

• Blue layer = engraving
• Red layer = cork cutting
• Green layer = wood backing cut

Step 3: Apply the settings and run engraving + cutting

A) Laser engraving on cork (text + details)

This step engraves:

• Lake name
• State(s)
• Compass
• Coordinates

Engraving settings (cork)

• Speed: 650
• Max power: 20
• Min power: 10

Why these settings work: Cork engraves best when you remove just enough surface to create contrast. Too much power can make letters look fuzzy or overly dark, especially on small text.

Quick quality check before full production

• Run a small test engrave of your lake name + coordinates
• Check that letters are readable and not “filled in”
• If the engraving looks too dark, reduce power slightly before you run a full sheet

B) Laser cutting on cork (lake lines + coaster outline)

This step cuts:

• The lake line details (if they’re vector cuts)
• The final coaster outline

Cork cutting settings

• Speed: 15
• Max power: 80
• Min power: 80

Tips for clean cork cuts

• Keep cork held down firmly—this prevents lifted edges or incomplete cuts.
• If you see frayed edges, you can slightly adjust speed/power or ensure the cork is perfectly flat and stable.
• If your design has very fine shoreline lines as vector cuts, test first—very thin cuts can sometimes look harsh on cork. Many sellers prefer engraving the shoreline and only cutting the outer circle.

C) Laser cut on linden board (backing outline)

Now cut the coaster backing shape from the 5mm linden board.

Board cutting settings

• Speed: 5
• Max power: 95
• Min power: 95

Because the board is thicker and denser than cork, slower speed and higher power helps ensure a clean cut all the way through.

Step 4: Paint the boards and glue cork onto the backing

This is the step that makes your product feel “premium” instead of “craft fair.”

Paint the board backing (blue finish)

• Lightly sand the board surface and edges if needed.
• Apply your blue paint (or stain) in thin coats.
• Let it dry fully—don’t rush this, or glue adhesion can weaken.

Glue cork onto the board

• Use a thin, even layer of glue (too much can create bumps).
• Align the cork carefully—this is where a simple jig or corner guides help.
• Press firmly and allow full cure time.

5. Tips for faster, more consistent coaster production

If you plan to sell these, consistency becomes more important than “one perfect coaster.”

a. Create a simple placement jig

A jig can be as simple as a corner L-shape guide on the bed so every sheet goes in the same place. This reduces setup time and mistakes.

b. Batch your workflow

A fast production rhythm looks like:

• Engrave + cut cork sheet
• Cut linden backings while the next cork sheet is being prepped
• Paint backings in batches
• Glue and press overnight

c. Keep your optics clean

Cork engraving produces dust. Clean optics regularly so your results stay consistent, especially for text and fine lines.

6. Pricing angle for small businesses

Laser cork coasters are profitable because:

• Materials are low cost
• Shipping is simple
• Personalization adds value (names, dates, custom lakes)

You can sell:

• sets of 4 / 6 / 8
• personalized gift sets (housewarming, wedding, cabin décor)
• wholesale bundles for local shops near lakes/tourist areas

7. FAQs

a. Do you need a wood backing under the cork?

Yes—using a wood backing (like your 5mm linden board) makes the coaster feel sturdier, helps it stay flat, and gives you a premium “layered” look. It also makes painting and branding easier.

b. Where can you buy cork for laser coasters?

You can buy cork for laser coasters from Amazon, Etsy, craft stores, and woodworking/material suppliers, or bulk from industrial cork suppliers (look for “cork sheet” or “cork coaster blanks”).

c. How long do laser engraved cork coasters last?

With normal home use, cork coasters can last a long time. Lifespan depends on moisture exposure and cleaning habits. Using a sealed/painted backing and good adhesive helps prevent warping or separation over time.

Wrap-up

If you want a product that’s easy to produce, easy to personalize, and easy to sell, laser engraved cork coasters are a smart choice. With the OneLaser XRF + LightBurn, you can engrave fine details like lake names and coordinates, cut clean coaster outlines, and assemble a premium layered finish that customers love.

If you want, paste your Lake Coasters file details (how many coasters per sheet + coaster size), and I can suggest a simple batch layout strategy to reduce waste and speed up production.