24th Nov 2025
Which Laser Mask Film Should I Use for Laser Engraving?
If you own a laser and you are not using laser mask yet, you are leaving a lot of profit (and wow factor) on the table. Laser mask films not only help you get a smoother etch on glass when compared to laser engraving without a mask on, they also let you combine the speed and precision of your laser with the depth and smooth finish of sandcarving. You get cleaner details, richer color fills, and a more premium feel than laser engraving alone.
At IKONICS Imaging we manufacture three PVC-free laser mask films for CO₂ lasers that cover almost every application: LaserTape, Blazer Orange, and Laser THICK. And in early 2026, we will be adding a fourth: Blazer Black, designed specifically for diode lasers.
This post will walk through what each film does best, how they differ, and how to choose the right one for your next project.
Why Use Laser Mask at All?
If you already laser engrave, you might ask why you would add another step. Laser masks give you three big advantages.
First, it protects the surface while you laser. The mask helps prevent rough edges and chipping, especially on substrates like glass and crystal. It acts as a barrier so your actual product surface stays cleaner and more consistent.
Second, it opens the door to sandcarving. After you engrave the mask with your laser, you can move the piece into a sandcarving cabinet and blast to your desired depth. The result is a smooth, uniform finish you simply cannot get with the laser alone. Sandcarving adds depth and dimension while maintaining crisp edges and a professional look.
Third, it makes adding color easy. Because the mask stays in place during the entire procwess, you can just add color after sandblasting, then peel the mask for crisp, professional results. The film defines the edges of your design, so color stays where it should and sharp lines are easy to achieve.
All three current IKONICS Imaging laser mask films are designed for CO₂ laser engravers, with optimal results at 40 watts or higher. They are clean burning and safe to use in your laser when you follow the user guide, compatible with color filling and stage carving, and they are all PVC free and made in the USA. We are working on a laser film for diode lasers, coming soon!
1. LaserTape: The Original Green Workhorse
LaserTape is our original dark green sandblastable laser mask film and has been a shop favorite for years. At 4 mil thick and PVC free, it delivers a strong adhesive that holds up well during blasting while still giving you a fast, clean burn in the laser. Once applied, the film conforms smoothly to flat and slightly curved surfaces and provides the depth and durability needed for most glass and crystal work.
Because the adhesive is quite strong, LaserTape normally benefits from a short soak in water to remove it cleanly from the substrate. It has a slightly stretchier, more pliable feel than Blazer Orange, which helps it conform but also means it can slowly retract over time, an important detail if you are doing long staging or very complex wraps.
In day-to-day production, LaserTape is an excellent choice for standard glass and crystal awards, corporate recognition pieces, and other flat or gently curved items. If you already have a rinse station in your workflow and you want a dependable, strong-holding mask at a solid value, LaserTape is the reliable workhorse you can reach for again and again.
2. Blazer Orange: Where Laser Engraving and Sandcarving Meet
Blazer Orange was developed to solve common laser shop headaches like sticky residue, difficult removal, and inconsistent wrapping around curves. This orange, PVC free laser mask is also 4 mil thick, but it behaves very differently from many traditional masks. The adhesive is repositionable yet secure, so you can lift and adjust during application, then laser engrave and blast with confidence once everything is in place. When the job is done, the film peels away dry and clean, with no soaking required and no residue left behind.
One of the most useful traits of Blazer Orange is the way it stretches and conforms while still holding its shape over time. That balance of stretch and stability makes it ideal for compound curves on drinkware, stemware, and sculpted awards. When the film makes good contact with the surface, it shifts to a slightly darker shade of orange. This visual cue lets you see at a glance where adhesion is solid and where you may need to go back and press down a bit more before blasting.
Blazer Orange also shines in applications that demand fine detail and color filling. It delivers higher resolution than many competitive materials, and the contrast of the orange film against most substrates, especially darker items, makes it easy to inspect artwork before you blast. Compared to LaserTape, it can be blasted to a deeper depth and it peels more easily, which is a big advantage when you are doing detailed logos or multi color fills. It is especially well suited to glass and crystal awards, ceramics, metals, acrylics, and similar items where clean edges and crisp paint breaks are essential.
3. Laser THICK: The Deep-Etch Powerhouse
Some projects demand more depth and tack than our standard laser masks offer. For those jobs, Laser THICK provides the extra strength and durability you need. This PVC free film is 7 mil thick with a stronger adhesive, so it grips aggressively and stands up to the heavy blasting required for deep etching on tough or textured surfaces. It still burns quickly and cleanly in the laser, and once applied it conforms smoothly without wrinkling, even on uneven or slightly irregular substrates.
Laser THICK was developed for materials like concrete and clay bricks, granite, natural stone, outdoor markers, and powder coated metals. The extra thickness and adhesive strength allow you to carve to substantial depths while keeping the edges sharp and the protected areas clean. In many cases, no additional adhesive is needed, even on rough stone, which simplifies setup and reduces variables in the process.
Despite its heavy duty construction, Laser THICK still supports straightforward color filling. After blasting to the desired depth, you can spray or brush paint into the etched areas, wipe the surface, and remove the film without fighting residue or torn mask. For shops producing outdoor signage, memorials, garden stones, or any application where the etch needs to stand up to weather and wear, Laser THICK is the go to choice when maximum depth and durability matter most.
4. COMING SOON: Blazer Black – Laser Mask for Diode Lasers
If you work with a diode laser, you know that most traditional laser mask films have been tuned with CO₂ systems in mind. In early 2026, IKONICS Imaging will introduce Blazer Black Laser Mask, a PVC free, 4 mil film formulated specifically for diode lasers. Blazer Black is designed to bring the performance and precision of sandcarving to the fast growing diode engraving market, so shops using these systems can achieve the same type of clean, sandblasted finish that CO₂ users enjoy.
Blazer Black combines the convenience of your diode laser engraver with the smooth, etched look of sandcarving. It is geared toward high end glass and crystal awards, premium drinkware, and promotional products where crisp detail and reliable color filling are important. The film supports clean, high definition stencil creation, allowing you to laser the design, move directly into the sandcarving cabinet, and then color fill with confidence.
This new mask is being engineered for excellent durability in blasting, with good conformability that does not distort artwork and a surface that releases without leaving excess residue behind. Like our other laser masks, it is PVC free and designed for easy removal after blasting and color filling, which helps streamline cleanup and reduce rework. Although Blazer Black is optimized for diode energy profiles, we still recommend a short test run on your own equipment to fine tune power, speed, and resolution.
Blazer Black will be available in standard and wide format roll sizes, with wide format rolls produced to order. Lead times for certain sizes may vary, so it will be important to allow extra time for fulfillment or to contact our team for current timing once launch approaches. If you would like to be among the first to work with Blazer Black when it becomes available in early 2026, keep an eye on our website, email updates, and social channels, or reach out to our technical and sales teams so we can keep you informed.
Please reach out to the IKONICS Imaging customer service team for a sample.
Which Laser Mask Should I Choose?
LaserTape
LaserTape is the right choice if you want a proven, original mask that fits smoothly into an existing workflow with a rinse station. It delivers strong adhesive strength and reliable blast resistance on flat and slightly curved glass and crystal, and it is a great everyday option when you want a dependable workhorse film at a solid value.
Blazer Orange
Blazer Orange is ideal if you do a lot of color filling, work with compound curves, or want the convenience of dry removal without residue. Its combination of stretch and dimensional stability makes it perfect for curved drinkware and sculpted awards, and its higher resolution and contrast make detailed logos and fine text easy to inspect and blast.
Laser THICK
Laser THICK is the film to reach for when you are blasting brick, stone, granite, concrete, or textured powder coated metal and need a deep, durable etch. The 7 mil construction and aggressive adhesive give you the confidence to blast to substantial depths while keeping edges clean and protected areas intact.
Blazer Black (Coming Early 2026)
Blazer Black will be the dedicated solution for diode laser users who want to add sandcarving and color fill to their capabilities. Once launched, it will allow diode-based shops to create high definition stencils, carve depth and texture, and finish with clean, professional paint fills on glass, crystal, and premium promotional products.
Common Questions About Laser Mask Films
What substrates can laser film be used on?
Laser mask can be used on all laser-engraveable substrates, but it is highly recommended for glass and crystal because it helps control chipping, scorching, and surface defects. Depending on the specific film, it also performs very well on ceramics, metals, acrylics, wood, powder coated items, bricks, granite, and other stones.
Why use laser film when laser engraving?
Laser film can be used during engraving to prevent scorch marks and cracking, and it opens the door to color filling and sandcarved finishes. Finishing engraving with a sandcarver provides depth and dimension while creating a smooth and uniform finish that is difficult to achieve with the laser alone.
How do I use laser film?
The workflow is simple: apply the laser mask film to a clean substrate, engrave the design with your laser, sandcarve to the desired depth, optionally color fill, and then remove the mask. Once the film is engraved, the open areas will accept abrasive during blasting and color during filling. When the process is complete, the mask peels away, revealing crisp, clean artwork beneath. For specific settings and step-by-step instructions, refer to each product’s user guide.
How deep can I carve with laser film?
Carving depth is determined by the thickness and durability of the mask used, as well as your blasting equipment and media. LaserTape and Blazer Orange handle typical award-depth etching and deeper decorative carving on glass and similar substrates. Laser THICK is designed as our most durable laser mask film, allowing for the deepest etches on stone, brick, and heavy-duty surfaces.
Is laser film harmful to use with my laser engraver?
Our laser mask film products are clean burning and safe to use in your laser engraver when used according to the user guide. They are PVC free and formulated specifically for laser processing. As always, follow your laser manufacturer’s ventilation and safety recommendations.
Why use laser film instead of masking tape?
Masking tape can be hard to apply smoothly, does not come in wide formats, and can leave a sticky residue on the substrate. Laser mask films are engineered to burn cleanly, apply easily, remove cleanly, and hold up to deeper sandcarving and color-fill applications. They provide better durability, more consistent results, and a more professional finish.
Ready to Explore Laser Mask and Blazering?
Whether you are just starting to experiment with sandcarving or you are ready to upgrade your current materials, IKONICS Imaging has a laser mask film tuned to your workflow. Use LaserTape as your reliable original, choose Blazer Orange when you need easy peel, clean color fill, and compound curves, and reach for Laser THICK when you want deep, bold etches on stone, brick, granite, and other tough surfaces. And if you are a diode laser user, keep an eye out for Blazer Black launching in early 2026.
If you would like hands-on laser mask training, visit our Events page to see where we will be teaching next. Have questions about which film is right for a specific job? The IKONICS Imaging technical team is always happy to talk through your substrates, equipment, and goals so you can choose the best mask and get the most out of your laser and sandcarver.