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58 graphics-pro.com S T A R T H E R E 2 0 2 1 By Paula Aven Gladych Laser Engraving L ike other equipment used in the graphics industry, laser engravers continue to improve. In the past five years, a number of innovations have taken place that make these devices not only useful to the industries that have always been attracted to them but to new ones as well. Laser engraver manufacturers get a lot of their inspiration from their customers and base many of the machines' improvements on their suggestions, says Mandi Small- wood, AP Lazer. Sign makers, woodworkers, and awards and engraving industries are still some of the biggest users of laser engravers, but a handful of new industries have realized just how useful these devices can be, including the funeral monument industry, which has learned that it can laser engrave photo-quality images on headstones and monuments. Laser Engravers Tips on determining what laser is right for your business Paula Aven Gladych is a freelance writer based in Denver, Colorado. She can be reached at pgladych@gmail.com. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF One step to take before purchasing a laser machine is to decide which products and market you want to serve. One popular segment in the graphics industry is personalized products, such as drinkware. (Image courtesy Epilog Laser) Image courtesy Trotec Laser