Product Description
Compact. Foldable. 0.01mm Precision.
The Artilume D2 is a foldable, portable diode laser engraver built for home workshops, makers, and small business creators. A 0.12mm laser spot and 0.01mm engraving accuracy deliver crisp, detailed results on wood, leather, acrylic, cardboard, painted metal, and stainless steel. The 200×150mm work area handles a wide range of project sizes. Control via LightBurn (Windows/macOS), LaserGRBL (Windows), or the companion mobile app. High-strength aluminum profile frame with ABS plastic keeps the machine light and rigid. USB to serial connection. Available in 2.5W and 6W laser power options - choose based on your material needs. Ships from the United States.
⚠️ Before First Use: Remove the small protective tape covering the limit switch on the laser head assembly before powering on. Failure to do so may prevent correct homing or trigger an alarm.
Key Features
- 0.12mm laser spot - 0.01mm engraving accuracy - Fine laser spot size enables sharp detail in text, artwork, logos, and intricate patterns; 0.01mm positioning accuracy ensures consistent, repeatable results across the full 200×150mm work area
- 200×150mm engraving area - Covers A5-sized projects; large enough for gift items, phone cases, small signs, jewelry, keychains, coasters, and most hobbyist and small-run commercial projects
- 10,000mm/min engraving speed - High traverse speed reduces job time for fills and large area engravings; faster than many competing entry-level machines in the same price range
- Foldable portable design - Frame folds down for compact storage and transport; easy to set up and put away without a dedicated workspace; high-strength aluminum profile provides rigidity when deployed
- LightBurn compatible (Windows & macOS) - Works with LightBurn, the industry-standard laser engraver design and control software; supports import of SVG, DXF, AI, PNG, JPG, and BMP files; LightBurn license may need to be purchased separately
- LaserGRBL compatible (Windows) - Free, open-source alternative control software for Windows users; suitable for straightforward engraving tasks and G-code based workflows
- Mobile app control - Companion app for smartphone-based job control and monitoring; useful for quick setups without a laptop
- USB to serial connection - Reliable wired connection for job transmission; compatible with any laptop or desktop with a USB port
- Smart device - Supports app-based operation and job management
- 2.5W or 6W laser power - 2.5W is suitable for light engraving on wood, leather, paper, and painted surfaces. 6W provides deeper engraving on harder materials and faster results on all materials; choose 6W if you plan to engrave on darker woods, thicker leather, or want maximum versatility
- Engraves wood, leather, acrylic, cardboard, painted metal, stainless steel - Wide material compatibility for diverse project types
- CE certified
- Ships from United States
Compatible Materials
Wood (basswood, plywood, MDF, bamboo), leather, acrylic, cardboard, paper, cork, rubber, painted/anodized metal, stainless steel (with coating or marking spray), dark fabrics.
Note: Laser engravers cannot cut or engrave bare reflective metals (aluminum, copper, brass) without a marking compound. Clear or transparent acrylic requires additional marking spray for visibility.
Specifications
- Brand: ARTILUME
- Model: D2
- Laser Power: 2.5W or 6W (select variant)
- Laser Spot: 0.12mm
- Engraving Accuracy: 0.01mm
- Engraving Area: 200×150mm
- Engraving Speed: Up to 10,000mm/min
- Frame Material: High-strength aluminum profile + ABS plastic
- Software: LightBurn (Win/macOS), LaserGRBL (Win), mobile app
- Connection: USB to serial (wired)
- Design: Foldable, portable
- Package Weight: 2.9kg
- Box Dimensions: 43×21.3×14.5cm
- Certification: CE
- Ships From: United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 2.5W and 6W variants?
Both variants are the same Artilume D2 machine with identical dimensions, accuracy, speed, and software compatibility. The only difference is the laser module power output. The 2.5W laser is well-suited for engraving light-colored woods (basswood, birch plywood), leather, paper, cardboard, and painted surfaces. It produces clean results at moderate speeds on these materials. The 6W laser engraves all the same materials faster and with more depth, and also handles darker or denser woods (walnut, MDF), thicker leather, and achieves better results on stainless steel with marking spray. If you are new to laser engraving and will primarily work with wood and leather, 2.5W is capable and more affordable. If you want maximum material versatility and faster throughput, choose 6W.
What software do I need and is LightBurn free?
The Artilume D2 is compatible with LightBurn and LaserGRBL. LaserGRBL is completely free and open-source for Windows - it is a capable option for basic engraving tasks. LightBurn is paid software (one-time license fee, approximately $60 USD for the Gcode tier) available for Windows and macOS. LightBurn is significantly more powerful than LaserGRBL, with a better design interface, superior image processing (for photo engraving), more control over speed/power settings per layer, and a more intuitive workflow. Most serious users and hobbyists prefer LightBurn. You can try LightBurn free for 30 days before purchasing. The mobile app provides basic job control for users without a laptop nearby.
What is the protective tape I need to remove before first use?
During shipping, a small piece of protective tape is applied over the limit switch on the laser head assembly. The limit switch is what the machine uses to find its home position (the starting corner) when it powers on. If the tape is left on, the switch cannot activate, so the machine may not home correctly and may display an alarm or error on startup. Before your first power-on, locate the laser head assembly and look for a small piece of tape covering a small switch or button on the laser head or carriage. Peel it off carefully. This is a one-time step - you will never need to do it again. If you power on and the machine displays an alarm, check for the tape first before troubleshooting anything else.
Can this laser engrave metal?
The Artilume D2 can mark and engrave certain metals, but with important limitations. Stainless steel can be engraved directly by a diode laser when the surface is coated with a laser marking compound (such as Cermark or Brilliance Laser Ink), which is applied before engraving and removed after. Painted or anodized metals (anodized aluminum, powder-coated metal) can be engraved by removing the coating layer to expose the metal beneath. Bare reflective metals (polished aluminum, copper, brass, gold) cannot be engraved by a standard diode laser without a marking compound - the laser energy reflects off the surface. The 6W variant is recommended for metal marking work.
What file formats does the D2 support?
The Artilume D2 uses G-code based control (GRBL), which means it works with any design software that can output G-code or be used with LightBurn/LaserGRBL. Via LightBurn, you can import SVG (vector graphics), DXF (CAD files), AI (Adobe Illustrator), PNG, JPG, BMP, and GIF files. LightBurn also has built-in text tools so you can type and engrave text directly without external design software. Via LaserGRBL, PNG and BMP images are the primary input formats, with G-code file import also supported. For most users, designing in free tools like Inkscape (SVG export) or Canva and importing into LightBurn covers all project types.
How do I set up and use the machine for the first time?
Setup involves: (1) Unbox and unfold the frame - the foldable design means no complex assembly. (2) Remove the protective tape from the limit switch on the laser head. (3) Connect the USB cable to your computer. (4) Install LightBurn or LaserGRBL on your computer. (5) Power on the machine - it will home to its starting position. (6) Set your laser focus distance using the focus tool or by adjusting the laser head height above your material (typically 50-60mm for most diode lasers). (7) Place your material in the work area, frame the job to preview the cutting area without firing the laser, then run your first engraving job at low power for a test. Always use the D2 in a well-ventilated area or with fume extraction - laser engraving produces smoke and fumes, especially on wood and acrylic. Wear appropriate laser safety glasses rated for the wavelength of your laser module.