The most surprising part of this build is how simple the coloring step is: dye mixed with denatured alcohol, dispensed straight onto the engraving, then wiped off with a paper towel. Hide N Teak used the technique to darken engraved graphics on a light-colored wooden box put together with finger joints, and the finished piece shows dark color sitting only in the recesses against the pale surface.
The mix is TransTint Concentrated Dye Solution combined with Klean-Strip S-L-X Denatured Alcohol in a small plastic squeeze bottle with a needle tip. The dye is very concentrated, so only a small amount is needed. The solution gets dispensed across the engraved figure, wicks into the laser-cut recesses, and a wipe removes the excess, leaving color only on the engraved surfaces. The maker wore blue nitrile gloves while working and describes the method as quick and fairly foolproof.
The detail that stands out is the wood itself: it was prefinished sheet material, and the maker confirmed the surface should be finished before any dye goes on. For other wood, the order would be finish, engrave, then dye. That order matters given the earlier attempts, since several stains gave mixed results and gel stains worked better but were harder to clean up.
One thing is still open. The exact finish on the prefinished sheets is unknown; the maker could only judge it by look and feel. Lacquer coats applied to unfinished wood for this method have not been tested either, so how the wipe-off step would behave on other finishes remains an open question.
Project by Hide N Teak. Watch it on their YouTube channel: