Laser engraving machines have many advantages over traditional engraving methods like sand blasting, diamond cutting or chemical etching. They can cut, mark and engrave plastic, metal, wood, glass, stone, ceramic, rubber, acrylic, textiles and many other materials quickly and easily. By not physically touching the material, laser engraving machines do not wear down and have lower maintenance costs than the other methods. In addition, these engraving machines do not require harsh chemicals which can be expensive and troublesome to dispose. When paired with a computer,laser engraving machines can become a powerful and convenient design tools. The computer treats the laser engraving machines as if they were printers and allows the user to use scanners or common drawing software to make new designs. Modernlaser engraving machines are now more compact and cheaper than ever before