Add Laser Engraving to Your Desk for Just $64

A traditional laser printer uses its laser to map an electrostatic charge that attracts toner powder to paper to form an image. But the DIY mini laser printer created by GitHub user Elias55745 works on a different principle entirely. It is equipped with a powerful laser that burns an image into paper as it traces a path over it. This means it cannot print in color, but who cares? Just take a look at the printer — it’s beautiful! And you can build your own, or buy one fully assembled for $64.

The printer is built around an Arduino Nano board that is equipped with an ATmega328 microcontroller. This board coordinates two miniature stepper motors to achieve precise X- and Y-axis movement. The printer delivers a working area of 50mm by 50mm, making it ideal for detailed engraving on small surfaces such as wood, leather, and paper. A 250mW laser module provides the cutting and engraving capability, though it is best suited for darker materials and is not capable of engraving metal.

The design includes a side-mounted cooling fan to maintain safe operating temperatures for the laser module. Power is supplied through a 12V input, with onboard components carefully selected to ensure reliability within that range.

For DIY enthusiasts, the project offers flexibility in sourcing components. Users can purchase a complete kit or individually acquire parts such as stepper drivers, flexible cables, and optical rods from online marketplaces. The build also requires a custom PCB, which can be fabricated using the provided files, along with standard electronic components like capacitors, resistors, and connectors.

Setup involves installing drivers and using control software such as LaserGRBL, allowing users to connect to the printer via a COM port and begin operation. Firmware customization is optional but supported, giving advanced users the ability to modify functionality.

Further details are available on GitHub, and you can buy a kit or assembled printer from Elias55745’s online store.