Picture yourself wandering through a beautiful garden, surrounded by blossoming flowers and thriving plants. But hold on—what's the name of that captivating bloom? Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or you want to spruce up the potted plant you're giving as a gift, having plant markers is a game-changer.

And why settle for ordinary markers when you can rock it with laser-engraved rocks? These awesome markers not only keep things organized but also give your garden a unique touch.

Supplies

Rocks
Clay/Blu-Tack/Play-dough (Optional)

Step 1: Finding the Perfect Rock

The first step is to find the perfect rock to work with. The great news is that rocks of various sizes can be used for this project, allowing you to unleash your creativity. However, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind during your rock-hunting expedition.

Size Doesn't Matter, but Flatness Does: The size of the rock can vary based on your preference and the available space in your garden. However, it's crucial to get flat-ish rocks for laser engraving. Rocks with excessive curvature will pose problems with the laser focus, and the parts that are too close/far away will be engraved less.
Embrace the Dark Side: When it comes to laser engraving, the color of the rock matters. Dark-colored rocks, such as shades of black, brown, or gray, work best because the laser engraves by removing material to reveal the lighter-colored interior. The contrasting effect of dark rocks with the white engravings creates a visually striking and legible result.

Step 2: Create Your Design

Now it's time to design your laser-engraved rock plant markers. My designs have the plant name, scientific name, and a picture of the fruit or flower, you could also add:

Planting and harvesting dates
The name of the person who planted/is responsible for the plant
Care instructions
Recipe ideas
Plant origins/history
Fun facts

I've attached my designs here.

Plant labels.svg
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Step 3: Place the Stones in the Laser Machine, and Align

Now, you have to place your stones in the laser machine.

You can place some clay (or similar) under it to ensure the rock surface is horizontal.

Your rock will probably be a bit convex, meaning the center is higher than the sides. If this is the case, focus the laser to a middle point on the rock, not the highest or lowest point. Alternatively, you could do two passes, one with a higher alignment, another with a lower alignment.

The rocks you will want to engrave will probably be quite small, and it will be difficult to place the design in the center.

If you are having trouble with this, I made a design with a "bullseye" pattern. You can first engrave this on a piece of plywood, then place your rock on top. When you import your rock designs, you can place them on the bulls-eye.

bullseye.svg
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Step 4: Figure Out Your Ideal Power and Speed

You need to determine the optimal power settings for your specific laser engraving machine.

My CO2 laser worked well with settings similar to those used for engraving wood, but every laser is different.

If you go too slow or use high power, the rock's surface can end up with a raised, rough texture that diminishes legibility and overall visual appeal. Going too quick or using low power may result in light and faint engravings that are difficult to read.

It is not possible to cut the rock with a laser cutter.