Automatic incrementation in Lightburn in serial number mode

Lightburn: Variable text and incrementing in Serial number mode

1. Prepare one-piece template

1. Draw/import your sample part.
2. Add a text box where you want the number.
3. Select this text, then in the text options bar change Mode: Serial Number.
4. In the text entry box, type the desired format; eg.

• dddd → 4 digits (0001, 0002…)

• 'SN‑'ddd → display SN-001… (everything between apostrophes is copied as is)

2. Set counter

Open Window ▸ Variable Text (or Tools ▸ Variable Text).

Result: after each engraving, Current goes to +4, so the next batch starts at the right number.

3. Duplicate in table with increment per copy

1. Select the entire room (including text).
2. Arrange ▸ Grid / Array (or the “Array” icon).
3. Set: X Columns = 2 , Y Rows = 2 to obtain 4 copies.
4. Activate Auto-Increment Variable Text and leave the increment at 1 (this is the value per copy).
LightBurn then automatically assigns offset 0, 1, 2, 3 to your 4 copies.

You’ll immediately see the numbers 1-2-3-4 in the preview.

4. Check and launch

• Preview (key Alt + P) to check the sequence.

• Start the engraving: the 4 pieces bear the 4 consecutive numbers, then Current switches to +4 thanks to Auto-Advance.

• For a new batch, simply replace the material and click Start; nothing else needs to be changed.

5. Useful tips

• Reset: click Reset in Variable Text to return to Start.

• Skip a number: manually modify Current before starting the job.

• Free layout: if you copy/paste parts instead of using Grid Array, you’ll need to manually adjust theOffset of each text (0, 1, 2, 3…).

• Long dialing: go to dddddd for 6 digits, etc.

• Save: LightBurn saves the Current value in the .lbproject file, handy when you close/open the project.

With these settings, LightBurn manages everything: increments in the manufacturing order, automatic advance between each batch, and nothing to retouch as long as the layout (4 parts) doesn’t change.