Build a soft photo-edge fade in an image editor and transfer the finished composite as one image. Placing a gradient over another image in LightBurn does not reliably reproduce the visual blending of a photo-editing application: separate processing objects can still contribute separate engraving passes.
In a February 2026 gradient-mask discussion, a LightBurn user tried to obtain a faded edge from overlapping images. The developer explained why the intended appearance needed to be embedded in the bitmap. Treat this as an image-construction issue before changing the P2's material settings.
One picture, one intended edge
Begin with the original photograph and preserve it. In your image editor, create the desired feathered boundary against the background you intend to use. For a light blank, a fade toward white is a practical digital comparison, but its physical appearance still depends on the material and image-processing mode.
Save the editable composition separately from the flattened export. Open the export in an ordinary image viewer: the fade should remain visible without the editor's layers or masks. If it disappears there, the transfer file never contained the appearance you expected.
Imagine a 40 mm-wide portrait with a 4 mm fade zone at each side. That leaves a 32 mm-wide central region before the two transition zones. Check that important facial detail is not placed in those zones. These dimensions illustrate composition inside a compact field; they are not an engraving-resolution specification or a required border size.
Compare the digital stages before a sample
| Stage | Question to answer | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Editable composition | Does the subject end where intended? | Original and editable composition |
| Flattened file | Is the fade visible without separate layers? | Reopened export |
| Processing preview | Is one intended image being processed? | Preview showing output objects |
| Matching sample | Does the edge remain acceptable on this blank? | Sample beside the approved proof |
In the engraving project, temporarily remove overlapping duplicate images from the output copy. Do not use additional white objects as an assumed eraser. Preview the actual processing path or raster result. A canvas that looks clean can still contain two images scheduled to mark the same area.
If even the standalone export becomes only black and white, inspect its source pixel values before comparing engraving modes. If the fade is present but facial shadows merge on the sample, the separate three-tone photo proof helps distinguish tonal detail from the edge-composition question.
What the P2 adds to the decision
The TYVOK P2 is positioned for compact galvo personalization, with a listed 60 × 60 mm work area. The image, blank and safe setup must fit the documented process. No digital fade guarantees a smooth physical gradient on every leather, wood or coated surface. Use supplier-documented compatible stock and a supported software workflow, then approve the actual result before using a customer's irreplaceable item.
Is a transparent PNG enough to make a feathered engraving edge?
Not automatically. Transparency may be interpreted differently during import or processing. Reopen and preview the exact export, including the background treatment, rather than relying on the file extension.
Should I increase power if the faded border is barely visible?
First compare the digital fade and the sample's central tones. A deliberately pale edge may be working as designed; increasing output for the whole image can destroy detail elsewhere. Establish the composition before testing material response.
