Rolling Pin

Step by step guide

This tutorial shows you how to deep engrave a rolling pin to leave fun impressions in your dough.

Preparation

Required material:

rotary attachment
wood rolling pin
application tape
a cleaning brush and some water

Used Trotec Laser:

Speedy 300
120 watts
2.0 inch lens

Step by Step

Step 1: Set Up Your Graphics

When creating your graphics, you want the finished file to be as wide as the circumference of your rolling pin and as tall as your rolling pin barrel.

As a quick geometry refresher – the diameter is how wide the barrel of the rolling pin is if you measured from the two widest outside points across the barrel. The circumference is the length if you wrapped a tape measure around the outside of the barrel. You can easily find the circumference if you take the diameter measurement and multiply it by 3.14.

Remember that if you are using text, the image needs to be reversed so that the text looks backwards. This ensures that the text is reading the correct way when it is embossed in the dough.

Step 2: Prep the Rolling Pin

With the high power for deep engraving, make sure that the non-lasered parts of the barrel remain clean of soot and scorching by masking the entire rolling pin. You can use application tape, which is like a large roll of making tape, or masking or painters tape. Make sure that the tape is as even and bubble-free as possible.

Step 3 - Laser Settings

Import the PDF file into Corel Draw, customize it as you want to or take your own design and send it to the laser. Make sure that you have activated the rotary attachment and entered the diameter of the rolling pin in the properties dialog.

Engraving:

Power: 100% - Speed: 15% - Frequency: 500 ppi - Air Assist: ON

Step 4 - Cleaning

Once the laser has finished, remove the rotary, take off the application tape and inspect the rolling pin for smoke residue. A good scrubbing with a dish brush and some soap will make sure that all the dust in the engraving does not get in your dough. If the rolling pin is unfinished, any extra smoke residue left on the barrel can be lightly sanded off.

Now, time to enjoy some delicious giraffe imprinted cookies!