How I Design Laser Annealed Golf Ball Markers: The Kraken Express Koi Workflow

From Vectorizer.io to VCarve to EZCAD

Golfers know a marker isn't just a tool. A golf ball marker can be a statement piece, a collectible, or even a work of art. At Kraken Golf, every drop I release is designed to spark conversation on the green and live forever in your pocket. The Kraken Express Koi marker is one of those designs-credit-card sized, annealed with vivid color shifts, and inspired by heirloom craftsmanship.

This guide shows you how I designed this laser-annealed golf ball marker step by step, using Vectorizer.io, VCarve, and EZCAD. Whether you're an aspiring maker, a golf gear addict, or just fascinated by the process behind premium markers, this workflow gives you the inside look.

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Step 1: Vectorizing Your Golf Ball Marker Artwork in Vectorizer.io

Every great golf ball marker starts with clean artwork. For the Kraken Express Koi, my drawing had a hatch line style that captures depth and texture perfectly during annealing.

1. Upload your sketch or design into Vectorizer.io.

2. Choose line art mode to create sharp outlines.

3. Keep fine hatch lines intact-avoid heavy smoothing.

4. Group individual colors and export as SVG for editing.

Why it matters for golf ball markers: laser annealing thrives on sharp linework. The crisper the vector, the cleaner the color patterns on metal.

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Step 2: Cleaning and Scaling Your Marker in VCarve

Now that the artwork is vectorized, it's time to size and refine it to fit a real golf ball marker blank.

1. Import the SVG into VCarve.

2. Set your job dimensions (85.6mm x 53.98mm for a credit-card style marker).

3. Use Join Open Vectors to close paths.

4. Convert text like "Kraken Express" into curves/outlines.

5. Trim and organize overlapping hatch lines - I like the offset tool.

6. make sure to keep grouped colors to make it easy to assign in EZ CAD. 

Export as DXF for clean compatibility with EZCAD.

Golf ball marker design tip: scaling matters. If your artwork doesn't match your blank size, annealed details will warp or shift. Always prep your file to marker dimensions first.

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Step 3: Running the File in EZCAD for Laser Annealing

EZCAD is where your golf ball marker design comes alive on metal. Here's the setup I use at Kraken Golf:

1. Import the DXF into EZCAD.

2. Align the design to marker.

3. Organize by layers:

   • Main koi = base anneal.

   • Background = secondary passes.

   • Text/logos = their own layer.

   • Other colors = their own layers as well. 

Suggested Annealing Parameters for Golf Ball Markers

Golf marker pro tip: use a single hatch direction, not cross-hatch, for smoother tones. Always test on scrap before annealing a finished marker. Dial in those colors through experimentation. 

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Why This Workflow Matters for Golf Ball Markers

This workflow-Vectorizer.io → VCarve → EZCAD-ensures your golf ball marker moves from concept to collector-grade product without surprises. The Kraken Express Koi isn't just another marker. It's a golf ball marker that carries identity, rebellion, and artistry into every round.

When you follow these steps, you're not just making an accessory-you're building an heirloom.

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Final Thoughts

If you're passionate about golf and design, learning how to make your own golf ball marker is a journey worth taking. With the right artwork, clean vector prep, and annealing discipline, your marker can shift from a flat file on your computer to a stunning piece of playable art in your bag.

That's what Kraken Golf is about. Not just tools. Not just products. But golf ball markers that disrupt tradition and tell your story.