Hi Rich
I remember that Rodney mentioned something about this in the following post
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=12756
4) Cut rubber masks for the monumental engraving industry (they use em as sand blast resists)
The self adhesive rubber is available from sign suppliers , it stops the sand used when blasting from impacting the stone and thus only the areas you peel away are blasted , the rubber is difficult to cut as its thick , but a laser can do far better than a knife or vinyl cutter in this regard, Gives a far deeper engraving than just lasering the mable or granite and its much smoother , applys to the glass thing below. Yopu need NOT use rubber unless you are doing major depth blasting , you can use vinyls as well (laser friendly ones)
Maybe you could use something similar to the rubber masks – I though about the possibilities at the time but never followed it up.
Just a thought.
Russ