About Norton White Tile Method (NWT)
Norton white tile method, white tile painted white; clean tile then paint white and let dry, I let dry overnight. Engrave and then remove the remaining paint with lacquer thinner, leaving the permanent engraving on the tile. Use paint high in Titanium Dioxide for the best results.
Photo Preparing Process
Go to image-R for the online version, I will be using the Offline version for this tutorial . All functions are similar to the online version.
Once you are on the site or you are using the offline version click on the Upload button.
This will open and ask how you would like to upload your image, grayscale or colored. For engraving choose the grayscale.
This will open showing your uploaded image.
Next crop if needed then resize and set DPI to want you are going to use for engraving.
This will open to set your size and DPI. For this image using the Falcon 1.6 watt laser module, I am using the size of 107 mm and 423 DPI then click save.
This will open and to adjust click on advanced settings.
This will open the advanced settings. Every image is different so adjustments will normally change. For this image I am adjusting Gamma up to 1.30, Contrast up to 15 and Unsharp Mask to 5.
Each algorithm has selections for all types of material and processes the images in different ways to produce varied effects in the final outcome of the image; I am choosing the Baning white tile algorithm for its clear, smooth, realistic results that works well on photo images.
Once you have the image how you like it, is time to select your material.
This will open a selection box to select which dithering algorithm you want to use, I am using a white ceramic tile Painted white so I am selecting Baning white tile. Then select apply.
Each algorithm has selections for all types of material and processes the images in different ways to produce varied effects in the final outcome of the image; I am choosing the Baning white tile algorithm for its clear, smooth, realistic results that works well on photo images.
The original image will be on the left and the Dithered image will be on the right.
You can select the preview button and it will show an approximate image of what it will look like on your material when engraved.
Preview image.
Now you save the image to your computer, select save.
The save box will open; I save in the download folder as a PNG.
Engrave on Tile
To engrave bring the image into LightBurn. The image was dithered in imag-r.com so you want to select pass through in LightBurn to engrave the image. I am using 1000 mm min and 75% power.
Dithering the image turns the image into tiny dots in a specific order and quantity to create the image, If you select a dither in LightBurn after dithering in imag-r.com or another program it will re arrange those dots resulting in a bad image.
This is the finished image.
