If you mirror etch, you can fill the etched areas. You can pre-paint the piece of acrylic, laser cut holes (say for LEDs or switches), and etch legends, then use acrylic paint to fill the legends.

The system is designed around a 500 mW laser and a polygon mirror scanner meant for a laser printer. ... naturally, a laser cut acrylic case and is made at [Henner]’s local hackerspace.

At Sears think[box], we stock birch plywood and acrylic plastic for use on the laser cutters that you can purchase from us as a convenience. ... We’re here to help you laser cut safely and effectively ...