Laser engravings benefit the community

Matt Sprague shows one of his creations.
Matt Sprague’s most notable creation yet is on display at the Guthrie Center Fire Hall.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times

Matt Sprague puts the laser engraver to work to create artwork.
“It’s just something I started dabbling with,” Sprague said.
Sprague noted that the machine was not difficult to operate.
“It’s pretty user-friendly. You have to get whatever image you want to use and then convert the image,” Sprague said. “Then you set your parameters, depending how big you want it. Then you set your power levels, and then you let it go, and it does its own thing.”
The pieces Sprague has created so far have taken between 30 minutes and 2½ hours for the machine to engrave, depending on the size and complexity of the design. He explained that the machine moves very precisely, so fine detail is possible.
“If you remember back in the day, the old printers, on the reel where it went across really slow, that’s exactly what this process is,” Sprague said. “But it’s just millimeters that it is moving that laser each time.”

The fire and rescue logo was engraved on the Guthrie Center Fire Hall counter by fellow firefighter Matt Sprague.
“It’s just a toy to have fun with,” he said. “My idea was to sell things at the farmers market, but I haven’t gotten ready for that yet. I’m thinking of doing cutting boards and things like that.”
Sprague is also planning to create items to auction for fundraisers.
“I’m part of a peer support group for mental health awareness for First Responders. We have a conference and a gala, so I’ll probably make something to auction off there this fall.”
Sprague’s most notable creation yet is on display at the Guthrie Center Fire Hall. He joined the Guthrie Center Fire Department in the spring of 2024, and he realized his new hobby could be used in the fire hall. So, he laser-engraved several images into the counter in honor of firefighters. The engravings were then covered with varnish to protect them from damage.
Sprague expects to keep learning what he can create as he experiments with ideas that occur to him, or as people ask him to make specific items.
“It’s something for me to do to keep me busy and out of trouble,” Sprague said.

This patriotic work is a colorful example of Matt’s Sprague’s newfound hobby.