Want to engrave glass using your diode laser without spending big on pro marking sprays?

I wanted to find out if an airbrush could turn humble tempera paint into a serious contender for glass engraving. Using my xTool S1 40W, I tested this idea head to head against professional marking sprays and the results genuinely surprised me.

Tempera is that same water-based paint kids use in art class. It is cheap, easy to find, and gives a nice frosted effect when engraved. I have been using it for a while, but I wanted to know how it really stacks up against a professional product that is made specifically for marking glass.

I finally tested my first professional laser marking spray: the xTool Glass & Metal Marking Spray. At over 40 dollars for an 8oz can, the question is simple: is it really worth it… or should you stick with cheap DIY options like tempera paint?

It all started this year, 2025, on Facebook, where I’d share quick photos of small builds and shop experiments. Those posts started getting attention, and soon people were asking for more details like what tools I used, how I set up my laser, and what settings actually worked. That’s when the wife realized I could turn my passion into something bigger.