Glock Stippling & Polymer Frames
Laser stippling replaced the soldering-iron method: faster, more consistent, infinitely repeatable patterns. The mark is a foamed/burnished polymer texture that improves grip without weakening the frame.
Identify the generation before quoting
Glock has shipped frame generations Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5 as the mainline product line. Stipple work depends on the generation because grip geometry, factory texture, and jig fitment all change between generations.
| Gen | Mainline years | What changes for stipple work |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3 | 1998-2010 | Classic platform. Smooth standard grip with finger grooves, accessory rail, no replaceable backstrap. The cleanest canvas for a full stipple job. Most common in the customer-supplied stipple market because of pre-owned volume. |
| Gen 4 | 2010-2017 | More textured factory grip surface, replaceable backstraps (M / S / L), reversible mag release, dual recoil spring. Stippling over the existing factory texture creates a hybrid look; many shops sand the factory texture flat before stippling for a uniform finish. Replaceable backstraps are NOT part of the frame body and must be stippled separately (mounted in their own jig position) or omitted from the quote. |
| Gen 5 | 2017-present | No finger grooves (the defining visual change; smoother grip side gives more uninterrupted stipple-able area), ambidextrous slide stop, nDLC slide finish, MOS optic-ready variants. Arguably the best stipple canvas because the grip is uninterrupted by grooves. G47 (federal/FBI contract full-size) shares Gen 5 frame architecture; verify jig fit before mounting. |
Jig and pattern files are generation-specific. A Gen 3 pattern file applied to a Gen 5 frame will misalign because grip geometry differs. Customer drop-off intake must capture model (G17 / G19 / G43 / etc.), generation, and any aftermarket modifications (existing grip plug, prior undercut, aftermarket grip module). Cross-reference Customer Communication & Proofing for the broader intake template.
Verified settings (60W MOPA required, 150mm lens)
Adapted from JPT 30W and Raycus 30W MOPA community recipes. The 150mm lens is correct here, the larger spot creates better stipple texture, and the curved frame benefits from the deeper DOF.
| Speed | 1200-1500 mm/s |
| Power | 25-35% |
| Frequency | 50-60 kHz |
| Pulse width | 100-150 ns |
| Line interval | 0.08-0.12 mm |
| Loops | 1 |
| Hatch | noise / random pattern (not standard hatch) |
Lens choice for Glock stipple work
Run the math against the actual grip side-panel dimensions before picking a lens. A G17 grip side panel is approximately 100mm tall x ~30mm wide; G19 is ~90mm x ~30mm; G43 is ~75mm x ~28mm. The lens field has to clear those numbers to put down the full stipple area in one zone.
| Lens | Field | Use for Glock work |
|---|---|---|
| 70mm | 70×70mm | Does not fit a G17 / G19 grip side panel straight (panel ~90-100mm tall, field 70mm). Marginal even for G43. Useful for spot work, texture transitions between zones, or undercut detail. Rarely the right primary lens for full-panel stippling. |
| 110mm | 110×110mm | Covers a G17 grip side panel with ~10mm margin; comfortable on G19 / G43. Tighter texture than 150mm; the smaller spot reads as cleaner / less foamed. Use if you want finer pebble detail or if your bed setup forces a smaller field. |
| 150mm | 150×150mm | Sweet spot. Comfortable margin around the full grip side panel on every Glock from G43 up to G17 / G34. Larger spot size (~18µm) is part of what produces the characteristic foamed-polymer stipple texture; smaller spots cut cleaner but read as less stipple-like. |
| 175mm / 200mm | 175+ | Multi-frame production jigs (two grips side-by-side at 175mm; four-up jigs at 200-220mm). Texture quality begins to soften past 175mm; viable for batch branding patterns but not the right call for premium custom work. |
Pattern files
Don't draw your own stipple. Use a pattern file. The texture lives in the noise pattern, and a hand-drawn pattern looks amateur.
- Paid vector pattern bundles: sold by several firearms-engraving template vendors. Common patterns include standard pebble, aggressive shark-tooth, light scallop, and undercut profiles. Pricing and availability change; check the vendor's current listings.
- Free patterns from laser-engraving subreddits and Facebook groups: quality varies wildly; expect to spend time cleaning up free files.
- Roll your own in Illustrator/Inkscape using a tiled pattern brush over a noise field. Works once you have a workflow dialed.
The "noise" trick
Lightburn's image module has a Threshold mode with adjustable noise. Feed it a high-resolution noise PNG and it stipples randomly per-pixel. This produces texture indistinguishable from a hand-drawn stipple but perfectly consistent across the whole frame.
Common stipple patterns and what they're for
| Pattern | Texture | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Pebble (standard) | Rounded raised dots, ~1mm spacing | Default. Moderate grip enhancement, comfortable bare-handed, broad appeal. Start every shop with this pattern as the house default. |
| Shark-tooth / aggressive | Angular pointed peaks | Maximum wet / sweaty / glove grip. Less comfortable bare-handed and can cause hot-spot soreness during high-round practice. Tactical / duty preference. |
| Scallop / wave | Elongated rounded ovals in a directional pattern | Aesthetic-leaning. Moderate grip enhancement, distinctive look. Common with custom shop branding. |
| Flat-top pyramid | Sharp pyramid peaks, very aggressive | Most extreme; rare outside competition use. Damages clothing during concealed carry. Verify carry style before quoting. |
| Border vs full-coverage | n/a (layout decision) | Aesthetic call. Borders frame the stipple zone with an undisturbed polymer strip; full-coverage runs stipple to the natural grip-area edges. Full-coverage is more common; borders are a custom-shop signature look. |
Custom integrated designs (logos, names, unit insignia inside the stipple field) are a premium upcharge. Budget an extra 30-60 minutes per frame for layout and an additional liability-review pass. Trademark and military-insignia rules apply: see the licensing notes in PMAG Engraving for the relevant framework.
Workflow
- Disassemble, pull slide, recoil spring, mag, all internals. Frame only.
- Mask off areas that should NOT be stippled (mag well opening, takedown pin holes, slide rails) with painter's tape (low-tack, no adhesive residue on the customer's frame).
- Mount frame in jig (model-specific cradle). 150mm lens, set focus on the highest point of the grip.
- Frame the design over the grip area. Most patterns are mirrored left/right.
- Test on the inside of the magwell (hidden area) before running on the visible grip.
- Run. A typical Glock 17 frame stipple = 8-15 minutes.
- Brush with a stiff nylon brush after: clears foamed polymer dust.
Frame undercutting
Beyond stippling, fiber lasers can do undercuts, removing material to allow a higher grip. This is deeper material removal, not surface texture:
| Speed | 300 mm/s |
| Power | 90% |
| Frequency | 30 kHz |
| Pulse | 200 ns |
| Loops | 5-8 |
Other polymer frames (P320, M&P, PDP)
Pricing
See the consolidated Firearms pricing reference in the Firearms Engraving Primer.
Settings are community-validated starting points, not guarantees. Glock polymer composition is inferred (commonly described as nylon-based with proprietary additives) and varies by generation and lot. Always test on the inside of the magwell first. Federal serial-plate rules current as of 2026; verify against current ATF guidance before publishing services.