Iridescent Laser Engraving and Structural Color
Iridescent laser engraving uses controlled, closely spaced marks to alter how a surface reflects and diffracts light. On a suitable material, these structures can produce changing highlights or color without applying colored ink.
How the laser contributes
Scan interval and direction organize the surface pattern, while power, speed, frequency, pulse width, focus, passes, and material response determine the physical marks that actually remain. The requested hatch pattern is therefore only one part of the optical result.
Start from a known mark
If a tested setting already produces a clean iridescent mark on the chosen material, use it as the base setting for a Fauxlographic Etching Lab calibration. The grid can then explore interval and angle around a foundation you already know the laser and surface can reproduce.
A simpler Rasterizer option
When you already have one trusted iridescent Material Library setting and do not need a calibrated Fauxlographic Palette, a normal Rasterizer swatch can be named to match that setting. Pixels mapped to the swatch will use the iridescent setting on their exported LightBurn layer. This does not add the lab's measured angle and interval behavior, but it provides a straightforward way to include a known iridescent treatment in ordinary color-separated artwork.
Inspect from several directions
A useful result should be evaluated while moving the light and viewing position. A mark that looks vivid from one direction may look neutral from another, which can be intentional but must be understood before designing artwork around it.
Not every surface responds equally
Material composition, finish, coating, preparation, flatness, focus, and lens can all change the microscopic structure and its appearance. Test coupons are essential before engraving valuable work.