xTool D1 Pro laser settings guide: cut and engrave reference for 20W
The xTool D1 Pro 20W is one of the most popular entry-level to mid-range diode lasers. The 20W optical output is enough to cut 3mm wood in one or two passes and engrave most materials cleanly. These settings are calibrated for the 20W version specifically — the 10W version will need slower speeds or more passes.
The D1 Pro works with both xTool Creative Space (XCS) and LightBurn. The settings below apply to both; speed is in mm/min and power is a percentage in both applications.
3mm Basswood plywood
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | 3000 mm/min | 80% | 2 | Air assist on. 2 passes cleaner than 1 at 100%. |
| Engrave | 6000 mm/min | 55% | 1 | 254 DPI. Warm brown contrast. |
| Engrave (photo) | 4500 mm/min | 45% | 1 | 300+ DPI for fine detail. |
3mm MDF
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | 2500 mm/min | 85% | 2 | Air assist essential — MDF glue creates thick smoke. |
| Engrave | 5500 mm/min | 60% | 1 | MDF engraves consistently; lower contrast than wood. |
3mm Acrylic
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut (cast) | 1800 mm/min | 90% | 2 | Cast acrylic gives flame-polished cut edges. |
| Cut (extruded) | 1500 mm/min | 90% | 3 | Extruded tends to melt and re-seal. More passes = cleaner. |
| Engrave | 5000 mm/min | 35% | 1 | Engrave on back side for polished front appearance. |
Leather (veg-tan)
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut 2mm | 3000 mm/min | 75% | 1 | Air assist on. Clean sealed edge; no fraying. |
| Cut 3mm | 2000 mm/min | 85% | 2 | |
| Engrave | 5000 mm/min | 60% | 1 | Lower speed for deeper, darker marks. |
Anodized aluminum
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engrave | 2000 mm/min | 85% | 1 | Marks the anodized surface. Bare aluminum requires fiber laser. |
Cork 3mm
| Operation | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | 3500 mm/min | 75% | 2 | Air assist prevents scorching. |
| Engrave | 6000 mm/min | 40% | 1 | Cork burns easily — keep power low. |
Air assist matters more than you think
The D1 Pro supports air assist through a side port. Running air assist is probably the single highest-impact change you can make to cut quality. It reduces char on wood, prevents melting on acrylic, and allows faster cutting speeds because the smoke does not obscure the beam.
If you have the xTool air assist pump, connect it before cutting anything thicker than 2mm. If you do not, a cheap aquarium pump with a flexible tube taped near the nozzle is a common workaround that provides meaningful improvement.
Using LightBurn vs xTool Creative Space
LightBurn gives you more control over power curves, pass-specific settings, and scan angles. XCS is simpler and has built-in material presets that are good starting points. Both work fine for most projects. If you are doing production runs or complex multi-layer files, LightBurn is worth the investment.
Browse all D1 Pro settings →"Used it with a Glowforge — engraved beautifully with no changes. I will be purchasing more digital downloads from this shop."
— Anna
"I was struggling with lining up my NFC business cards. I was able to not only line them up much better but also do multiple cards at once — making that job so much easier."
— Camp
"Excellent quality and design. Cut clean and neat!"
— LYNN
"Great jigs. Appreciate the time saved not having to build this from scratch!"
— Bruce
"Excellent quality. Item as described. Expectations exceeded."
— Michael
"This template made my slate coasters so much easier. 4×4 coasters from Michaels drop in easily and are easy to remove. Def worth it."
— chris