an optical scanning system and method for laser engraving a plurality of data subrasters into a substrate to form a raster of engraved data defining an image on the substrate . each subraster has a length dimension and a width dimension . the system includes a transport assembly having an objective lens and a mirror , the mirror capable of reflecting a substantially collimated scanning beam incident thereon in a direction transverse to an axis of the incident beam such that it is directed to the objective lens . the objective lens is capable of focusing the scanning beam on the substrate to engrave a set of data in the width dimension of the subraster and the objective lens and mirror combination is capable of moving along the axis of the incident beam to allow subsequent engraving of other sets of data in the width dimension until a complete subraster is formed along its length dimension . the objective lens and mirror combination is also capable of returning to its starting position to begin engraving of a subsequent subraster of the plurality of subrasters forming the raster of engraved data . a thermoset plastic substrate is also identified as being particularly suitable for use with the aforementioned system and method .