Dog tags are not only a way to identify your pet, but also a way to express your style and personality. If you are looking for a unique and durable option, you might want to consider laser cut dog tags. Ideally, laser cut dog tags are made by using a laser cutter or engraver to create precise and detailed designs on metal or plastic tags.

Unlike traditional stamped or engraved tags, laser cut dog tags can have any shape, color, font, or image you want. They are also more resistant to wear and tear, and can last longer than other types of tags. In this article, we will show you how to make your own laser cut dog tags, how to customize them with different options, and how to choose the best laser cutter or engraver for your needs.

How to Make Laser Cut Dog Tags

Making laser cut dog tags is not as hard as it sounds. All you need is a laser cutter or engraver, some tag blanks, and a computer with design software. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Get tag blanks. You can buy tag blanks online from sites like Laserbits.com, which offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors of anodized aluminum tags. Anodized aluminum is a good material for laser cutting because it has a thin layer of oxide that can be removed by the laser, revealing the silver metal underneath.
2. Fill in the details. You can use any design software you like, such as Inkscape, Photoshop, or Illustrator, to create your text and graphics for your tag. You can also download templates from the internet, such as this one for the dog bone shape. Make sure to convert your fonts to paths, and keep your text within the boundaries of the tag shape.
3. Cut a template. To make sure your tag is aligned correctly, you can cut a template out of a piece of thin wood or cardboard using your laser cutter. Just set the black lines in your design file to cut lines, and the red lines to low power lines that won’t cut or etch anything. Then set the blue lines of your text to low power lines that will lightly etch your template material. This will allow you to see what your text will look like before using it on your tag.
4. Etch your tag. Place your tag in the hole of your template, and adjust your laser settings again. This time, set the black and red lines in your design file to low power lines that won’t cut or etch anything, and the blue lines of your text to high power lines that will etch your tag. The laser will remove the color from the anodized layer of your tag, leaving a silver lettering on a colored background.
5. Remove the finished tag. Carefully remove your tag from the template, and admire your work. You can also add a ring or a chain to attach it to your pet’s collar.

How to Choose the Best Laser Cutter or Engraver for Dog Tags

If you want to make your own laser cut dog tags, you will need a laser cutter or engraver. A laser cutter or engraver is a machine that uses a focused beam of light to cut or etch materials. There are many factors to consider when choosing a laser cutter or engraver, such as:

• Size and power. The size and power of the laser cutter or engraver will determine the size and thickness of the materials you can cut or etch, as well as the speed and quality of the process. Generally, the larger and more powerful the machine, the more expensive it is.
• Software and compatibility. The software and compatibility of the laser cutter or engraver will determine the ease of use and the design options you have. You will need a software that can import your design files and control your machine settings. You will also need a computer that can run the software and connect to the machine.
• Safety and maintenance. The safety and maintenance of the laser cutter or engraver will determine the risks and costs involved in using the machine. You will need to follow safety precautions, such as wearing protective glasses, gloves, and clothing, and keeping flammable materials away from the machine. You will also need to clean and service your machine regularly, and replace parts as needed.

Best Laser Cutters for Dog Tags

Here are some of the best laser cutters or engravers for dog tags, based on the Paperflo Designs blog post:

xTool D1 Pro (High Accuracy Engraving)

The xTool D1 Pro is a high-end laser engraver that can etch fine details on various materials, such as wood, leather, paper, fabric, acrylic, rubber, glass, or metal. It has a 20W fiber laser module that can etch up to 0.01 mm accuracy, and a 150 x 150 mm working area. It also has a camera for previewing and positioning your designs, and a touch screen for controlling your settings. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, and supports various file formats, such as JPG, PNG, SVG, DXF, or AI.

Cricut Maker (Most Popular)

The Cricut Maker is a popular craft machine that can cut or etch various materials, such as wood, leather, paper, fabric, acrylic, rubber, or metal. It has a rotary blade that can cut up to 2.4 mm thick materials, and an engraving tip that can etch on metal sheets. It has a 12 x 12 inch working area, and uses Cricut Design Space software for creating and importing your designs. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, and supports various file formats, such as JPG, PNG, SVG, or DXF.

Silhouette Cameo (Easy to set up)

The Silhouette Cameo is another popular craft machine that can cut or etch various materials, such as wood, leather, paper, fabric, acrylic, rubber, or metal. It has an auto blade that can cut up to 3 mm thick materials, and an etching tool that can etch on metal sheets. It has a 12 x 12 inch working area, and uses Silhouette Studio software for creating and importing your designs. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, and supports various file formats, such as JPG, PNG, SVG, or DXF.

xTool M1 (Compact)

The xTool M1 is a compact and portable laser engraver that can etch on various materials, such as wood, leather, paper, fabric, acrylic, rubber, glass, or metal. It has a 5W diode laser module that can etch up to 0.1 mm accuracy, and a 100 x 100 mm working area. It also has a camera for previewing and positioning your designs, and a touch screen for controlling your settings. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, and supports various file formats, such as JPG, PNG, SVG, DXF, or AI.