Dollar Tree Laser Blanks: Big Engraving Ideas on a Tiny Budget

Who says laser engraving has to be expensive? There’s a goldmine of blank canvases waiting for you at (believe it or not) your local dollar store. Whether you’re crafting custom gifts, stocking up for a classroom project, or just experimenting with new materials, this bargain store is packed with engravable treasures that won’t break the bank.

From mugs to wooden signs to kitchen utensils, you’ll find plenty of items just begging for a personal touch. Below is a list of Dollar Tree finds that are perfect for up-scaling with some laser engraving.

We use the Xtool F1 Ultra.  We love it because it can handle such a wide range of projects in a fairly compact machine. Engrave on metal, ceramic, wood, canvas, glass, and more! You can read about what makes the F1 Ultra special here.  There was nothing in our Dollar Tree haul that the F1 Ultra couldn’t handle! Check out the projects we did below. These were all done on the F1 Ultra.

xTool F1 Ultra

This one versatile Laser Engraver tool can engrave all of our dollar store finds!

• Dual Laser System
• Hundreds of Materials
• Engrave, Emboss, Cut

Check it Out

Dollar Store Finds for Laser Engraving

You can score quite a haul without breaking your budget. He’s some of our favorite finds:

Classic White Mug – The humble white mug offers a blank canvas for any occasion. Logos, slogans, memes, special occasions. Classic perfection. (For marking on white ceramic or glass, you’ll need marking spray. We use this one.)

40 oz Tumblers – Giant tumblers are all the rage. You can find a variety of colors to engrave on.

Metal Travel Mug – Maybe giant mugs aren’t your thing. That’s fine. This stylish 20oz metal mug carries enough beverage for a normal human.

Metal Cup with Handle – Like a tankard for the 21st century. Great for initials, logos, or just labeling it “Mine.”

Glasses & Drinkware – You can find a variety of drinking glasses to customize with graphics, logos, quotes, or slogans.

Metal Shapes – These come in stars, hearts, and clouds. Shine them up with a custom message or design. If you change the settings for power and speed, you can get different colors!

Wooden Hanging Signs – Add a name, welcome message, or favorite quote. Boom!Instant rustic charm.

Wooden Arrow Signs – Point the way to the party, the snacks, or just out. Custom text makes them pop.

Wooden Hearts – Sweet little signs for Valentine’s Day, weddings, or just because. This cute cat design was a perfect fit!

Wooden Easter Eggs – Perfect for spring crafts or holiday décor. Skip the dye and engrave an egg instead. (They don’t have to be eggs or Easter themed; you can just have an oval sign or decoration.)

Wooden Craft Squares – These come in packs of 6 and can make fun coasters or decorations.

Craft Sticks – The humble popsicle stick is a crafter’s best friend. Engrave names, tiny signs, or secret messages. Bonus points for building something first and then engraving it. We made some signs for our garden. (Check out these Activities with Craft Sticks for more ideas.)

Wooden Gift Box – A small box with big engraving potential. Personalize the lid for birthdays, weddings, or secret treasure.

Bamboo Cutting Boards – Yes, Dollar Tree has them. Yes, they engrave beautifully. Perfect for personalized kitchen gifts, cheese boards, or fun cooking quotes. You can make a kitchen conversion chart like this (so you don’t need to ask Alexa or Siri how many pints in a quart.)

Silicone & Wood Kitchen Utensils – The handles are wood, so yes, they’re laser-friendly. Make it a custom gift set with engraved flair. Check out the video to see how the engraving process works (and how fast it is!)

Bamboo Spatulas & Spoons – Add a name, funny phrase, or kitchen pun. Stir with style. You can even engrave on the curved part of the spoon with the features on the F1 Ultra.

Pencils – A box or two of 24 pencils is enough to give each kid in the class a personalized pencil. Engrave names or inspirational quotes to make it special. Check out the video to see how fast it goes!

Erasers – Never wonder who’s eraser it is when you can burn their name in it.

Clip Board – Flat, sturdy, and surprisingly engravable. Great for classroom organization, signage, or making your to-do list look official.

Blank Canvases – You can engrave directly on the canvas, or you can apply a layer of paint to get some stunning effects. Try doing swirls of color with a coat of black on top. Guess what? You can get the paints at Dollar Tree too!

Cork Boards – Engrave a message on your message board!

Tips for Engraving Dollar Tree Finds

Before you fire up your laser and start zapping everything in your haul, here are a few quick tips to help you get the best results:

1. Test First, Cry Less
Materials from Dollar stores aren’t always consistent. Even if two mugs look identical, they may have different coatings or glazes. Run a small test engrave on the bottom or back first to avoid surprises. In fact, plan on getting an extra of everything to make a test grid on.

2. Clean the Surface
Dust, stickers, or factory oils can mess with your results. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol can help your laser engrave more cleanly.

3. Use the Camera (Your Best Friend)
The F1 Ultra’s built-in camera is great for aligning engraves. Use it to preview your design placement before you commit, and use the framing feature to nudge the alignment. This is especially helpful for oddly shaped or curved items.

4. Mind the Coatings
Some metal items are painted or powder-coated (and that’s what your laser is actually engraving off.) Lighter colors may need slower speeds or more passes to get a clean contrast. For metal mugs, sometimes a pass with the blue laser will clear the coating and you can switch to the fiber laser to engrave the now-exposed metal (just don’t move it before running the second pass!)

5. Watch Out for Plastic Parts
Silicone and plastic don’t always play nice with lasers. Check if your item has non-laser-safe parts, and keep a fan or ventilation going just in case. (Check out post on ventilating and air purification.) I tried engraving a plastic pen for my son and, while he was happy with it, it really just melted the plastic.

6. Batch Like a Boss
Once you dial in your settings, make sure to save them. Set up a jig or template if you’re making multiples. It’s a huge time-saver and gives consistent results. The F1 Ultra comes with a simple L bracket, and we’ve 3D printed additional jigs that have been incredibly helpful.

7. Have Fun With It
These aren’t heirloom-quality items, and that’s part of the magic. Try weird fonts, funny sayings, or just experiment. You’re only out $1.25 if it flops! You may discover some new setting and tricks for some stunning results (like when engraving metal, move your laser up about 5mm to get a nice blackening effect!)

Wrap-Up: Budget Blanks, Boutique Results

With a little creativity and a quick Dollar Tree run, you can turn everyday items into personalized gifts, classroom projects, or products to sell.

A machine like the Xtool F1 Ultra makes it easy to get professional results (even on a $1.25 item.) So go ahead, load up that cart and let your laser do the magic.