How to Get Accurate Placement for Laser Engraving and Cutting

The xTool S1 Pin-Point Positioning™ will make you look so good (even if you’re a beginner)! Look through some of the projects and techniques below to get an idea of why this is my most-recommended laser.

If you are new to laser cutting and engraving, you might wonder if all of the software is the same. It is, most definitely, not and that is a really good thing for those of us with xTool lasers.

Horizontal, four image collage of laser crafts including cutting board, golf tee set, slate coasters, and laser cut door signs made with the xTool S1. — Watch how the Pin-point Positioning system works in the xTool S1 laser to combine power and accuracy.

RELATED READING: xTool S1 Review and Project Inspiration

What You'll Find On This Page

Laser Cutting and Engraving Accuracy

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ve been learning how to create with both diode and CO2 lasers for nearly a year now. And while I use all of them, I can safely say I like each for different reasons. The desktop lasers I have are:

xTool P2 – A fully-enclosed CO2 laser, perfect for cutting acrylic and wood.
xTool S1 – A 40 watt diode laser which cuts some acrylic, wood and does amazing engravings.
xTool M1 – A 10 watt diode laser with amazing engraving capabilities and a blade cutting machine.

If you’ve joined our Laser Crafts Facebook group, it’s no secret that the xTool S1 is my recommendation for 85% of those new to lasers. Why? The xTool S1 accuracy and ease of use is unmatched. There is no human error, meaning I can’t mess it up! Friends, I even mentioned to xTool that I wish this technology was on ALL my lasers.

If you want to dive in but are at work (I get it) or the kids need a snack, save or share this. Use the sharing buttons to save it on a laser project pin board or share it to Facebook. Either way, this will be easy to find when you’re ready to take a look.

Vertical, four image collage of laser cutting and engraving projects made with the xTool S1 and text which reads How to Precisely Position Laser DIYs.

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What is the xTool S1?

The S1 is a diode laser cutter and engraver and comes in a variety of wattage and laser head modules. It is a desktop, fully-enclosed laser with an INTERCHANGEABLE laser head. While that’s pretty amazing, another jaw-dropping bit of innovation is the software.

The xTool S1’s Pin-Point Positioning™ algorithm allows us to place items with more accuracy than cameras provide.

There is no reliance on cameras and the human eye. And the laser technology really comes in handy when you’re working with small items like jewelry, memorial or irreplaceable items for custom work, and even when working in batches. As I mentioned, I really do think this is one of the best lasers on the market.

For more information on this machine, read my xTool S1 review or check out the specs for the laser.

Big Ideas – Generous Working Bed

Before we get into the details of Pin-Point Positioning™ and the accuracy of the software, I want to make certain to highlight that this is NOT only a laser for small projects. This laser cutting and engraver has a large working area and bed. It was able to produce this multiple layer, mixed material door sign that measures 11.5 inches!

I’ll share this project tutorial soon (be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel), but know that all you need to do is order the right materials. The machine will do the rest.

I can fit materials within the machine that even fit my bigger laser (12×19) and can process on slats, a honeycomb, or a baseplate. And because I have the 40 watt laser module, I can process acrylic, MDF, and so many more materials.

Vertical image of a white, coral, and teal door sign which reads hello summer hanging from a black cord in front of a blue wall with lemons.

Circular Positioning – Hard Projects Made Simple

One of my favorite parts of the software and algorithmic innovation has been the multiple Pin-Point Positioning™ methods and marking capabilities. I find myself using the circular positioning quite often and wanted to highlight how easy it is to use.

Multiple marking types include square / rectangle, circular, line, and polygonal. This allows us to use ALL of the material, including scraps that would otherwise be wasted.

I bought four of these miniature charcuterie boards and I’m a beginner at laser engraving. Because of the handle and their overall round shape, getting placement correct was so important or the project would be ruined. I decided to use one of my SVG designs that wasn’t circular to challenge myself and show you how easy it is to get this right.

First, I positioned the board inside the machine and measured like normal. I chose the circular positioning option from the “Marking” menu and placed three points as instructed. The algorithm built the circle and all I had to do was drag the design inside and use the snapping feature to get it perfectly centered. In 20-ish minutes, I had this engraved piece ready for gifting!

Vertical image of a paddle shaped bamboo cutting board with the phrase take out is my favorite recipe engraved using the xTool S1.

Pin-Point Positioning™ for TINY Objects

One of the most asked questions I get is if it can really engrave well on tiny items. If you’re investigating this machine, you might have seen others engrave pencils – yes, that works and it works so well. The use of a jig makes it easy to place the pencils and the engraving without a camera or any human error.

I really don’t need 100 engraved pencils. And while I have made pendants and other jewelry already, I want to show you something you might not have already seen. When Jeff wanted me to make a custom golf gift set for a friend, the xTool S1 was my go to laser engraver and cutter for the project.

First, the machine engraved and then cut the pieces for the golf tee holder. I picked up the golf tee holder file here, and while I made minor adjustments (the number of golf tee slots), the file is well-made and laser-ready.

Next, I created some text, used the pin point system to line up the crosshair on each, and the gift set was done. This was a fun way to combine a standard, easy laser project with a small amount of custom work (makes a good profit-focused item for selling). And yes, my husband chose those sayings…

Vertical image of a golf tee holder engraved and cut with personalized engraved golf tees in front of wood rounds on grass made with the xTool S1 review laser engraver and cutting machine.

Batch Marking and Processing – Can I Really Do Multiples without A Jig?

Using a jig is a very common process in laser cutting and there will always be a place for it. However, the Pin-Point Positioning™ system and algorithm set up means that you do not have to just a jig when creating multiple projects at once or batch processing.

The ability to batch process material without creating a jig saves me time and money.

I am trying a new supplier for slate coasters (just off Amazon, but it always makes me nervous), so I created a test just for these coasters. Then, I sized the images (my Texas set of SVG files I created) and put the laser to work.

First, I laid out four square coasters for a full set (one of each design). Then, I measured the distance to the the first coaster.

Next, I created four separate marking areas to tell the system where my coasters were. Finally, I dragged each image into a square and processed them. In about 30 minutes, I had this full set of bright, slate coasters ready to wrapped up and sold. NOTE: xTool’s default settings will run a bit faster than that but my laser burns a little different and I slowed the speed to 220 vs their 240). Please run a material test to determine your best settings.

Vertical image of four slate coasters engraved with four images of Texas on a bright red background with a succulent and brown basket.

Detailed Laser Cuts with Precision

Another project that I’d like to highlight are the ever-so-popular standing letters, customized with peek-a-boo detailing. I show you how to make this exact project using the XCS software in this layered laser cut letter video tutorial.

This project is quite a few layers and I was able to use the marking algorithm to use all of the material as efficiently as possible. You can see that even the tiny blossom cutouts were cut through easily, even with the entire material sheet being processed at once. My machine doesn’t lag when cutting full sheets.

Vertical image of a colorful, multiple layered, detailed project made from basswood plywood and painted in the shape of a letter E filled with cherry blossoms.

More Laser Crafts and Free Laser Cut Files You Might Like

Highland Cow Door Sign – This is taking off like crazy because it’s absolutely adorable (and you can make it on any laser, no matter the wattage). And the adorable highland cow SVG is free.
Clear Acrylic Craft for Diode Lasers – If you have a diode laser, you can still use clear acrylic in your crafting. This popular laser cut project idea for Christmas is the easiest way you can turn it into profit.
xTool S1 Acrylic Tips – You CAN cut acrylic with the S1 (a diode laser). Here’s how.

Please Save or Share This In-Depth Look at the xTool S1

Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY laser craft pin board or share it with a laser cutting and engraving group on Facebook.

The xTool S1 Pin-Point Positioning™