Text engraving is one of the most requested CNC operations -- from part numbers and serial labels to decorative lettering and company logos. Getting clean, legible text on a CNC machine requires understanding font selection, engraving methods, depth settings, and material behavior. This guide covers everything you need to produce professional text engraving on your CNC.
Not all fonts are suitable for CNC work. The font type determines the toolpath strategy and the final appearance of the text.
Single-line fonts are designed specifically for CNC engraving. Each character is defined by a single center line rather than outlines. The tool follows this line once, creating clean, fast engraving with a V-bit or small end mill.
Standard computer fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.) define characters as closed outlines. These require different machining strategies:
Outline fonts take 2-5x longer to machine than single-line fonts but offer more design flexibility.
| Aspect | Engraving (Single-Line) | Pocket Text |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | V-bit or small end mill | Flat end mill |
| Depth | Shallow (0.1-0.5mm) | Deeper (0.5-2mm) |
| Speed | Very fast | Slow (multiple passes) |
| Readability | Best at small sizes | Best at large sizes |
| Font type | Single-line preferred | Outline fonts required |
| Visual effect | Fine, precise lines | Bold, raised or recessed text |
| Minimum size | 3mm character height | 8mm+ character height |
Engraving depth depends on the material hardness, visual contrast requirements, and tool type:
| Material | Engraving Depth | Pocket Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 0.1-0.3mm | 0.5-1.5mm | Anodized surface: 0.05mm to break through |
| Mild Steel | 0.05-0.2mm | 0.3-1.0mm | Use carbide or coated tools |
| Stainless Steel | 0.03-0.15mm | 0.2-0.8mm | Very shallow, low feed rate |
| Brass | 0.1-0.3mm | 0.5-1.5mm | Excellent contrast, easy to engrave |
| Acrylic | 0.1-0.5mm | 0.5-2.0mm | Use single flute, low RPM to avoid melting |
| Wood | 0.3-1.0mm | 1.0-3.0mm | Deeper cuts for visibility in grain |
| Plastic (ABS, POM) | 0.1-0.3mm | 0.5-1.5mm | Moderate speed, air cooling |
V-shaped cutting tools available in 30, 60, and 90 degree angles. The angle determines the line width at a given depth:
Line width formula: Width = 2 x Depth x tan(angle/2)
Small ball nose tools (0.5-2mm) can engrave rounded-bottom text. Useful for 3D engraving effects and when V-bits produce too sharp an edge.
Small diameter flat end mills (1-3mm) are used for pocket text where a flat bottom is needed. The minimum text detail is limited by the tool diameter.
Engraving the letter "L" with a V-bit at 0.2mm depth:
CAM232 includes a built-in text engraving operation that generates G-Code directly from typed text. Simply enter your text, choose font size and spacing, set the engraving depth and tool parameters, and CAM232 generates the complete toolpath. The 3D simulation lets you preview the result before cutting.
Key capabilities:
CAM232 generates engraving G-Code from typed text. No DXF needed, no font conversion -- just type, set depth, and export.
Try CAM232 FreeCNC text engraving is a versatile operation that adds value to machined parts through identification, branding, and decoration. Success depends on choosing the right font type (single-line for speed, outline for flexibility), selecting the appropriate tool and depth for your material, and ensuring precise Z-zero setup. CAM232 simplifies the process by letting you type text directly and generating ready-to-run G-Code for your controller.