Glowforge Basic — Powder Coated Steel

What speed should I use to engrave Powder Coated Steel on the Glowforge Basic?

The top-rated community setting uses 300 mm/min at 48% power. Ablates powder coat to expose bare metal. Clean with IPA first. No Cermark needed. For bare steel, use fiber laser settings instead.

Can the Glowforge Basic cut Powder Coated Steel?

A 45W CO₂ laser can mark or engrave metal surfaces but cannot cut through them — metal cutting requires a much higher-powered laser or a plasma cutter.

How many passes does the Glowforge Basic need to engrave Powder Coated Steel?

All settings here use a single pass. Confirm focus and do a small test burn before committing to your final design.

Do I need air assist for Powder Coated Steel on the Glowforge Basic?

Air assist is not flagged as required for these settings, but it is good practice during cutting operations to keep the lens clean and reduce char buildup.

What software do I use with the Glowforge Basic for Powder Coated Steel?

The Glowforge Basic works with Glowforge App. Enter the speed, power, and passes directly into your software's layer settings — no conversion needed.