Extend Your Brand with the Trotec 300 and 500 Engraving Machines

Laser cutting and engraving open up a world of endless possibilities for makers. With the precision, speed, and versatility of the Trotec 300 and 500 Engraving Machines, creators can seamlessly extend their brand and unleash their creativity.

Jason Lempieri of Tombino shared his experience, noting that “the Trotec laser allows creators to dream a little bit.”

We sat down with Jason to delve into how he leveraged this machine to expand his business to tap into his creative genius, and uncover what advice he has for others looking to do the same. 

Jason initially came up with the idea to create manhole cover trivets and coasters over 30 years ago, but he faced a major roadblock. The technology needed to engrave designs into wood hadn’t caught up yet. Undeterred, he traveled the globe, collecting manhole cover art through rubbings in each country, meticulously documenting the designs as he awaited the right moment to bring his vision to life.

When he learned about the impact of laser technology, he decided to give the manhole cover project a go as a vehicle to start a micro-business with his younger son, Nico. He discovered that NextFab housed a Trotec Speedy 300 machine. The engraving speed is key to making the product financially feasible. After receiving formal training and guidance from the NextFab team, he was ready to launch his venture. Collaborating closely with NextFab, Jason honed his designs.

Initially, he aimed for realism, engraving wood and using a cast iron spray paint to mimic manhole covers. However, challenges arose. Concerned about health and environmental impacts, he transitioned to using cork instead of painted wood. Engraving into lighter materials enhanced the artwork’s visibility and minimized sticking issues caused by condensation.

As sales picked up, Jason pondered his next move. One day, while at his brother’s house, he noticed the refrigerator was full of magnets from local real estate agents and he realized the potential of fridge magnets as a marketing tool. He decided to make manhole cover magnets and was able to use wood since condensation would not be an issue. 

In creating the magnets, he decided to pre-treat the wood with color instead of painting the piece afterward. Jason recommends pre-treating the material so that the engraving exposes the wood’s beautiful color underneath and creates a more compelling design. Makers will generally use lighter wood if they’re incorporating color since the darker woods tend to speak for themselves. Pre-treating with a dark color will create a beautiful contrast with the wood beneath. 

As the magnets began to sell, it was once again time to think about expanding his brand. Looking at the size of the Trotec bed, he thought, “Can I make a giant one?”

That’s where wall art came in. The Trotec300 is large enough to do a 16” round wall art piece with a quarter-inch thick pre-treated wood. The wall art was also a success, and you can see him showcasing his work at the 2024 NYCxDesign Festival where he was asked to design a piece to contribute to their NYC souvenir exhibition. 

Continuously seeking innovation, Jason ventured into crafting a manhole puzzle and developing what he calls the “MC Etcher” for miniature custom rubbings, which allows people to make their own rubbings like he did when he first collected the manhole cover designs. 

Looking to the future, Jason has an interest in marquetry and noted that this technique can elevate a piece from a simple craft to a work of art. Marquetry, an art form that gained popularity in the early 20th century, is the process of utilizing different species of wood and tiling them together. Marquetry doesn’t require advanced settings when using the Trotec.

When using this technique, you’ll need a color-by-number style vector file, where each shape coincides with a different type of wood. Given that the Trotec laser is so precise, you will not have to do kerf consideration when using the vector frame. You must know the direction of the grain for each piece, and they should all be roughly the same thickness, though it’s possible and likely to sand the pieces down afterward. After all the cuts are made, tessellate the pieces and jigsaw them together to create something unique. The process takes much longer, but the end result is beautiful.

Jason highlighted the American Swedish Historical Museum in FDR Park as one of the best examples of this technique. On the second floor of the building, there is a room containing a wood sculpture that depicts people at work doing industrial and clerical-type jobs. The sculpture is done with wood marquetry and an almost cubist style – akin to a Charles Sheeleresque composition. The artist was able to capture a true expression on the faces of the sculptures by altering the direction of the wood grain. 

Another great example Jason mentioned was Raymond Inzitari’s WoodScape Maps. The simple version would be to engrave a flat map onto the chosen wood. Raymond takes it a step further. He cuts out each element of the map, separating pieces for parks, rivers, and lakes and stains them in different colors, then glues them back together to create a 3D map framework. Jason considers this a version of marquetry. Inzitari pays close attention to shape and wood grain direction. For someone who isn’t ready to jump into the considerations of mixing woods and directing grains, it is still a great guide for entering into the technique. 

Jason’s journey exemplifies Trotec’s laser potential for turning creative visions into thriving businesses or taking artistry to new heights. Dive deeper into Trotec’s capabilities with a class at NextFab and unlock your creative journey.

In partnership with FORMATION. Media