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Living Etch

Guide to select your timber

Updated: Nov 8

Heads up!! Please note we are updating our timber range / description. If you have any doubt, please contact us via the contact us button at the bottom right corner of the page.


We source our timber from an Australian owned company where most species are proudly Australian sourced /manufactured. Our products are finished with a water based matt varnish to ensure its longevity. Read on to see sample and understand which timber is suitable for what.


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BIRCH

Known for its versatility, Birch is the ideal choice for a wide range of artistic and functional applications. Being one of our lightest timber range, it is a pale, creamy color with a consistent grain pattern that provides a clean and attractive backdrop. Its light hue makes it perfect for both natural finishes, allowing cutomisation with ease.


Our Birch comes in a slightly matte / textured finishes but produces clean cuts and engravings. The wood’s consistent surface helps achieve sharp details and fine lines, making it ideal for intricate designs and high-quality finishes.


Surface: finished surface is smooth flat / matte with a small hint of grainy feel

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Great




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BAMBOO

(NATURAL)


Bamboo is a versatile and eco-friendly material. It has a relatively dense and fibrous texture, which provides strength and durability. The surface is typically smooth but can have a grainy texture depending on the specific type and treatment of the bamboo.


Natural bamboo has a light, yellowish-brown color with a distinctive grain pattern. The color can range from pale beige to richer tones, and the grain pattern adds a unique aesthetic.


It is a medium yellow to brown coloured timber perfect for text engraving or cut out artwork. However, bamboo's fibrous nature can produce some charring on larger engraving art where wood grain / fiber may be relatively prominent. If you are after a rustic look, Bamboo is your go to!


Bamboo is a highly sustainable material because it grows rapidly and requires minimal resources compared to traditional hardwoods. It is biodegradable and often used in eco-friendly products.


Surface: tactile in style to do bamboo grains but finished surface is flat / matte.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Okay, on occasion may look rustic due to engraving over a higher density of bamboo strains

It may look rustic due to engraving over a higher density / variety of bamboo strains. Consistency of grain outcome is subject to each timber sheet but overall looks outcome is similar





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TASMANIA SASSAFRAS

Tasmania Sassafras is a hardwood native to Tasmania. It has yellowish-grey or brown in colour and warm in tone with a relatively straight grain with a fine to medium texture.


Tasmania Sassafras has a moderate to high density, which means it is generally harder than softwoods but can vary in hardness depending on the specific piece of wood. This density contributes to a lightly more clean and precise cuts.

This timber cuts cleanly, producing well-defined edges and detailed engravings. Its subtle unique color and grain patterns make it a visually appealing choice for projects requiring both function and aesthetics.


Fantastic to use all round for cutting, etching and image engraving - we've noticed that this timber seem to provides the cleanest result in terms of contrast to the timber itself.

Surface: smooth with the matt (satin) varnish coating.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image:  Great, timber is subtle and plain so contrast of artwork is effective and clean





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WALNUT

(AMERICAN)


American Walnut is a highly prized hardwood known for its rich color and fine grain. It is a relatively dense hardwood with a tight, even grain. Its density also means it can handle detailed engravings well, however it might produce more charring compared to softer woods,


American Walnut is renowned for its deep, rich brown color with varying undertones, ranging from dark chocolate to purples and grays. This wood often has a beautiful, natural luster and can develop an attractive patina over time.


This is our dark timber alternative, great for cutting, text etching and engraving images. However please note that on some occasion, a darker timber may not have a as defined contrast as light timber depending on the timber batch supplied. We adjust our settings to ensure contrast is at its maximum.


Environmental Considerations: Sustainable sourcing of American Walnut is important to ensure that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.

Please note: American Walnut are part of limited core range as they are a protected timber species and limited qualities are allowed per production! So get in quick while they are available. Alternate dark timber options is Jarrah (They are also part of a protected specie so supplies are limited.)


Surface: smooth with the matt (satin) varnish coating.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Good. outcome is clean and contrast is subtle. Note that engraving on a darker timber will not have a contrast as clear as engraving on lighter timber due to background being darker.







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JARRAH


Jarrah is a hardwood native to south-western Australia, valued for its strength, durability, and striking appearance. It is a dense and robust hardwood with a fine to medium grain. The wood’s composition contributes to its durability and resistance to wear, making it suitable for intricate work.


The hardness of Jarrah can sometimes lead to more pronounced charring (darken spots)


Jarrah typically features a rich, deep red to reddish-brown color, often with darker streaks or variations. The wood’s vibrant color and natural luster make it visually appealing


Jarrah cuts cleanly with a laser and can create detailed engravings and precise cuts. This is our dark timber alternative, great for cutting, text etching and engraving images. However please note that on some occasion, a darker timber may not have a as defined contrast as light timber depending on the timber batch supplied. We adjust our settings to ensure contrast is at its maximum.


Origin: Our supplier sourced our Jarrah from carefully selected NSW Jarrah veneers and are uses formaldehyde free glue adhesives.


Environmental Considerations: Jarrah is a native species, and sustainable harvesting practices are important to ensure the preservation of its natural habitat. Please note: Jarrah is part of our limited core range as they are a protected timber species and limited qualities are allowed per production! So get in quick while they are available. Alternate dark timber options is American ( But they are also part of a protected specie so supplies are limited.)


Surface: smooth with the matt (satin) varnish coating.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Good. outcome is clean and contrast is subtle. Note that engraving on a darker timber will not have a contrast as clear as engraving on lighter timber due to background being darker.



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BLACKWOOD

(TASMANINA )



With a rich golden brown face, honey brown sections and a distinctive grain detail, our Tasmanian Blackwood is considered a hardwood and frequently used as an alternative to bamboo due to its strength and high quality finish.


Tasmania Blackwood is currently not part of our core range but can special ordered. Please enquiry within.


Surface: smooth with the matt (satin) varnish coating.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Great. outcome is clean and contrast is clear while grain is still visible.



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BEECH



Our European Beech is designed and manufactured exclusively with our supplier to exceeds modelling and engraving applications. Often a first choice for applications such as business cards and event invitations due to its consistently clean laser cutting results combined with exceptionally high quality natural beech veneer faces. This product contains formaldehyde free glue adhesives.



Beech is currently not part of our core range but can special ordered. Please enquiry within.


Surface: smooth with the matt (satin) varnish coating.

Cut: Great

Text / outline: Great

Engrave image: Great. outcome is clean and contrast is clear while grain is still visible.

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