"DIY Baby Milestone Discs With the LOKLiK IEngrave – Beginner Laser Engraving Project"

Written by Angela Cervera – Cre8tiv Minds LLC

As a DIY crafter and owner of a handmade party decoration business, I’m always looking for tools that help me personalize my designs. When I had the opportunity to test the LOKLiK iEngrave, a beginner-friendly diode laser machine, I was curious — could this compact laser keep up with my creative ideas?

I decided to create a set of personalized baby milestone discs to test both engraving and cutting on basswood. I was pleasantly surprised by the results — here’s how it went!

1. LOKLiK iEngrave Laser Engraving Machine
2. Basswood sheets – 3mm (1/16”) thick (from Amazon, this is an affiliate link)
3. LOKLiK IdeaStudio™ (Desktop + Mobile App)
4. Fume Extractor (optional, but highly recommended)
5. Microfiber Cloth - to clean wood dust off

The iEngrave came well-packaged and included everything needed to get started. Assembly was minimal — just a few screws and parts to secure.

1. I followed LOKLiK’s setup video for step-by-step guidance.
2. I downloaded the IdeaStudio™ mobile app (since the machine currently only connects via mobile).
3. While the desktop version of IdeaStudio™ is helpful for designing, you’ll use the mobile app to send your project to the iEngrave.
4. You can also use Lightburn (a popular laser software) — a 30-day free trial is included.

I created a cute panda-themed baby milestone disc using free graphics and fonts in LOKLiK’s IdeaStudio™ on desktop.

Once complete:

1. I opened the project on my phone via the mobile app.
2. Connected to the iEngrave and got ready to engrave and cut.

1. I placed a 3mm basswood sheet on the engraving bed.
2. The iEngrave does not come with a honeycomb panel — this is an accessory you may want to purchase separately.
3. Since there’s no built-in camera, I had to manually align the design.
4. I used the framing feature on the app to adjust placement until it was properly centered.

Tip: A ruler and a bit of patience go a long way for accurate alignment!

1. I selected one of the preset recommended settings for cutting/engraving wood.
2. I ran a small test square to ensure proper settings.
3. The engraving was crisp and clean.
4. The cut was perfect — smooth, complete in one pass.
5. I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet the machine was.
6. The protective lid and auto-stop when opened made me feel safe during the process.

1. After removing the discs, I used a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the edges.
2. No paint or stain was needed — the natural burned laser finish gave it a beautiful contrast.
3. The final result was even better than expected — clean, modern, and gift-ready.

💖 What I Loved About the LOKLiK iEngrave

1. ✅ Beginner-Friendly Setup — ready to go in under 30 minutes.
2. ✅ Quiet Operation — surprisingly low noise level.
3. ✅ Compact Design — perfect for small craft rooms.
4. ✅ Safe to Use — auto-stop lid, visible workspace.
5. ✅ Fume Control — almost no odor when using an extractor.
6. ✅ Resume Feature — resume your project after a pause.
7. ✅ Material Versatility — engraves over 300 materials (wood, leather, glass, some acrylic).

⚠️ Things to Consider

1. ❌ No built-in camera – Aligning materials is manual.
2. ❌ Not desktop-compatible for sending projects – Only via mobile app available at the moment. Desktop version will be released soon.
3. ❌ Mobile app is basic – Lacks more advanced control settings.
4. ❌ Won’t cut transparent, mirror or white acrylic – It's a diode laser, not CO₂.
5. ❌ Can overheat during long sessions – Give it 10–15 min breaks as needed.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The LOKLiK iEngrave is a powerful little machine for anyone starting out in the world of laser crafting. It’s affordable, compact, and packs a surprising punch in what it can do.

I’m excited to keep exploring more ideas like:

1. Personalized school supplies
2. Gift tags and ornaments
3. Engraved signs and keepsakes

If you’re a small business owner or hobbyist looking to dip into laser engraving, this machine is a great place to start!

💬 Let Me Know!

How adorable are the milestone discs?????

Have questions about the iEngrave? Want to see more beginner-friendly laser projects?

Leave a comment below — I’d love to share what I’ve learned and hear what you’re making!

— Angela Cervera

Cre8tiv Minds LLC

Instagram: @cre8tivmindsllc