heated by an electrical element, and operate at a fixed temperature. Wire-nib burners Wire-nib burners have variable temperature controls. The writing nib is heated by an electric current passing directly through it. Some models have interchangeable nibs to allow for different effects. Laser cutters Laser cutters can be set to scorch the material instead of cutting all the way through it. Many laser cutters provide software facilities to import image files and transfer them onto a sheet of wood. Some laser systems are sufficiently sensitive to perform pyrography on thin card or even paper. Woods Woods differ in hardness, grain, figure, texture, color, and other physical characteristics. Hardness: All woods can be classified into hard or soft. Usually softwoods are from coniferous (needle-leaved) trees. Hardwoods are from broad-leaved trees. These hardwood trees can be classified into two distinct growing seasons each year (hot and cold season or a wet and dry season) such as: Earlywood: normally lighter in color and weight and only moderately strong Latewood: usually heavier, darker, and much stronger. Softwood will burn faster than a hardwood does. It does not require very hot temperature to burn as do the hardwoods. Light-coloured hardwoods such as sycamore, basswood, beech and birch are most commonly used, as their fine grain is not obtrusive. However, other woods, such as maple, pine or oak, are also used. Grain: Grain is the direction of the fibrous elements of the wood cells. This is important to sand with the grain. Also the grain can cause deviation from its intended path with use of woodturning pen unless you apply more pressure and burn slower on the grain. Figure: This is the natural design, or pattern, that you can see on the cut surface of the wood. The figure present on the wood should always be taken into consideration when you are planning your woodburned design. Texture: There is a texture on the surface of that wood that feels either coarse or fine, even or uneven. Woodburners typically avoid using very fine or intricate designs on uneven, coarse-textured wood. Softwoods are more apt to be fine or moderately coarse-textured. Color: Woodburning is mainly used to enhance the natural beauty of a wooden project, so woodburners take precious care not to obfuscate a beautiful figure, grain, luster, or color by over-charring. Leather Pyrography is also applied to leather items, using the same hot-iron technique. Leather lends itself