Upgrading a UV laser engraver can feel intimidating—especially if you’re unsure how much real-world difference extra wattage makes. If you’re using the ComMarker Omni X with the standard 6W UV laser module, you already know it delivers sharp detail, clean contrast, and the ability to engrave nearly anything from coated metal to wood, slate, stainless steel, and even 3D images inside crystal.

But ComMarker recently released a 12W UV laser upgrade kit, and the jump in power is more dramatic than you might expect. This guide breaks down how the upgrade works, what kind of improvements you can realistically expect, and why the 12W module may be worth it—especially for users who focus on 3D engraving or higher production speed.

How the Original 6W UV Laser Performs

Before upgrading, a series of baseline engraving tests were run using:

• Coated metal card

• Stainless steel photo engraving

• Slate coaster

• Wood 3D relief

• Internal engraving inside a clear crystal block

The 6W module produced:

• Crisp, high-contrast engraving on metal

• Strong detail on stainless steel, though edges can be tricky depending on settings

• Beautiful but slightly blue-tinted engraving on slate

• Deep, carved-like 3D reliefs on wood

• Clean (though sometimes light-sensitive) engravings inside crystal

In short: the 6W Omni X is already extremely capable, particularly for fine detail and internal engraving.

Upgrading to the 12W UV Laser Module

The 12W upgrade kit increases processing power significantly. The installation is straightforward:

1. Remove front shield and shell

2. Disconnect the old module

3. Mount the new 12W module

4. Reconnect cables, including an extra sensor cable (included on production models)

5. Reassemble the machine

6. Recalibrate the field lens

Most users can complete the upgrade in 15–25 minutes.

Lens calibration is done inside ComMarker Studio by engraving a test pattern, measuring the X/Y deviations, and letting the software auto-generate corrections. After calibration, the working area becomes perfectly square, ensuring accurate geometry.

6W vs. 12W: Side-by-Side Engraving Results

Metal Card

Almost identical results visually—BUT the 12W laser allows much faster dwell times, which means major time savings.

Stainless Steel Photo

• 6W: Higher contrast, but sometimes loses detail on edges

• 12W: Softer, more natural contrast with better detail retention

And because of the extra power, reducing dwell time cut engraving time from 221 seconds down to ~180 seconds, with room for even more optimization.

Slate

Huge improvement.
12W produces a much whiter, brighter engraving compared to the slightly bluish 6W result.

Wood 3D Relief

The 12W module engraves significantly deeper (up to ~2 mm) while maintaining sharp definition.

Crystal 3D Internal Engraving

This is where the upgrade shines:

• Much brighter, clearer inner points

• Stronger contrast

• Less light required to illuminate the object

• Supports OBJ textured 3D engraving, adding richer shading

With 12W, faces, textures, and 3D elements inside glass become dramatically more defined.

Engraving OBJ Files Inside Crystal (Bonus Upgrade Feature)

With the 12W module, ComMarker Studio can engrave OBJ files—including surface texture—inside crystal.

An OBJ file allows grayscale-like shading inside glass, making details like eyes, eyebrows, and hair depth more realistic than plain STL models.

Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Reasons to upgrade to 12W

✔ You want 3D relief carving that’s deeper and cleaner
✔ You engrave crystal frequently and want higher brightness & clarity
✔ You want faster production speed without losing detail
✔ You run a business where time savings = money savings

Possible downside

The upgrade is a premium investment—similar to buying an additional laser module. For hobby users, it may feel unnecessary unless 3D glass or deep relief engraving is a top priority.

However, for professional engravers, the upgrade pays for itself quickly through improved speed and quality.

Conclusion

The ComMarker Omni X is already one of the most advanced UV laser engravers available, but upgrading from 6W to 12W unlocks major benefits:

• Faster engraving

• Whiter, brighter marks

• Deeper 3D reliefs

• Sharper stainless-steel photos

• Higher-contrast crystal engravings

• OBJ textured 3D inner engraving

If you want to push the limits of UV laser engraving—especially for business applications—the 12W upgrade is a powerful step forward.

Related Articles:

Laser Engraving: The Whole Process and the Technology Behind It Revolutionizing Manufacturing and Art with the Omni 1 What is the Best Laser to Engrave Glass? ComMarker Laser Engravers – Precision Meets Your Expectations