OMTech 40W CO2 Settings & Speeds

Where to buy

Buy the OMTech 40W CO2 — check current price & availability

Standard cardboard on OMTech 40W.

Score cardstock. Creates clean fold lines without cutting through.

Cardstock cut. LightBurn: set to vector cut mode.

Plain paper on OMTech 40W. High speed, very low power.

Finer DPI ceramic tile pass. Norton White Tile method: apply white gloss spray, engrave, wipe clean. Produces black marks on white tile.

Ceramic tile CO2 engrave — use white tile method (coat with white spray paint) or Cermark for best results. Bare tile requires high power and may crack.

Plywood surface engrave for designs. Mask with transfer tape to reduce smoke residue on light wood.

Generic plywood CO2 cut — thickness determines passes. 3–4mm usually 1 pass at these settings. Check for glue voids in cheaper ply.

Black acrylic engrave — CO2 removes surface to expose lighter core. Low power prevents warping. Leave protective film on during engraving.

3mm black acrylic CO2 cut — cast acrylic gives polished flame edge. Extruded acrylic may crack; cast recommended.

MDF surface engrave for designs and text. Low power prevents scorching the filler-heavy surface. Mask with transfer tape for clean edges.

3mm MDF CO2 cut — single pass. MDF fumes are significant; ensure good ventilation. Air assist strongly recommended.

Fine detail bamboo engrave for photo or intricate designs. Slower at same power gives deeper, darker marks.

Bamboo CO2 engrave — denser than basswood, needs slightly more power or fewer speed. Good for cutting boards and utensils.

Basswood CO2 cut — single pass on thin sheet (3mm). Increase to 2 passes for denser hardwood batches.

Basswood CO2 engrave — fast pass for deep bold marks. Reduce speed for finer detail or photo engraving.

Finer DPI anodized aluminum pass for text and logo detail on CO2. Avoid over-powering which burns through anodize to bare metal.

CO2 engraves anodized aluminum by removing the dye layer. Bare aluminum requires Cermark — anodized surfaces work directly.

Slower Cermark pass for bolder, more durable marks on stainless steel. Extend drying time after applying spray for best bond.

CO2 stainless steel mark with Cermark coating. Apply thin even coat, engrave, wash with water. Without Cermark CO2 cannot mark bare stainless.

Fine detail glass engraving. Slow pass with higher DPI for portrait or text on tumblers and wine glasses.

CO2 glass engrave — low power to frost without cracking. Apply wet newspaper or dish soap over surface to reduce micro-fractures.

Higher DPI marble engrave for fine detail portraits. Wipe surface before engraving for consistent results.

Marble CO2 engrave — ablates surface cleanly. Start at lower power end; increase if mark is faint on light-colored marble.

Finer DPI pass for photo or detailed artwork on slate. Slight power reduction to avoid over-ablation.

CO2 slate coaster engrave — 300 DPI for bold logos and text. Wipe with damp cloth after engraving to reveal the bright mark.

Very low power to avoid burning through — washi tape is thin. No air assist. Pin sheet flat.

Low power surface mark — too much power melts the surface.

EVA/craft foam cuts cleanly at low power — high power causes melting and edge fusing. No air assist. Ensure good ventilation.

Heavy cardstock — go fast and light to avoid charring. No air assist to prevent sheet lifting.

Heavy cardstock — go fast and light to avoid charring. No air assist to prevent sheet lifting.

Light surface engrave without cutting through. Keep power low.

Go fast to avoid charring the flutes. No air assist — prevents material movement. Pin corners down.

Tinted acrylic cuts cleaner than clear on diode lasers because the pigment absorbs the beam. Air assist prevents melt-back.

Ablates spray paint to reveal bare metal. Thinner than powder coat so needs less power. Reduce power if paint splatters. Clean with IPA first.

Ablates powder coat to expose bare metal. Clean with IPA first. No Cermark needed. For bare steel, use fiber laser settings instead.

Ablates powder coat to reveal bare metal beneath. Works on powder coated flat stock and signs. Clean with IPA first. Black powder coat gives highest contrast. No Cermark needed for powder coat removal. For bare steel marking, fiber laser settings apply instead.

Engrave from the BACK side for a clean mirrored result.

Cast acrylic cuts cleaner than extruded.

CO2 cuts all acrylic colours equally — wavelength absorbed regardless of colour.

EVA fumes are toxic — good ventilation essential.

CO2 seals fabric edges cleanly. Use low power to avoid scorching.

CO2 cuts cardstock very fast at low power; test on scrap first.

Dense hardwood — lower speed than basswood at same power.

Sticky resin can contaminate optics; clean lens after sessions.

CO2 glides through cork; keep power moderate to avoid burning.

Generic plywood varies — test first. 2 passes at 80% typical for 3mm.

Cork cuts cleanly at moderate speed. No air assist needed — can cause tearing.

Clean cut in 2 passes with air assist. Avoid scorching by keeping speed up.

CO2 40W on stainless. Marking spray recommended.

CO2 40W on cork. Easy material.

CO2 40W on marble. Frosted white result.

CO2 40W cotton engrave. High speed.

CO2 40W cuts foam board in one pass.

CO2 40W on 3mm bamboo. Single pass.

CO2 40W chipboard. Single pass.

CO2 40W cuts corrugated cardboard in 1 pass.

CO2 40W rubber stamp. Fast deep engrave.

CO2 40W denim engrave. High speed, low power.

HTV vinyl score cut on CO2 40W.

CO2 40W on faux leather. Single clean pass.

CO2 40W on 7.5mil mylar stencil.

CO2 40W on 6mm EVA foam. No air assist needed.

CO2 40W on acrylic felt. Clean cut.

CO2 40W on 80gsm paper. Near max speed, minimal char.

CO2 40W on 300gsm cardstock. High speed, low power.

Felt cuts cleanly on CO2 at low power. Too much power melts the synthetic fibers — keep it low and fast. Turn off air assist to avoid blowing the material. Wool felt gives cleaner edges than acrylic felt. Great for ornaments, patches, and applique work.

Bamboo is harder than most woods due to silica content — needs 2 full-power passes. Air assist required. Bamboo sheets cut better than whole bamboo boards. Expect slight charring on edges. The hardness makes it durable but trickier to cut than softwood plywood.

Bamboo engraves with excellent contrast on CO2. The silica content makes it harder than most woods but CO2 handles it well. Keep air assist off for cleaner engrave marks. Bamboo cutting boards are a particularly popular item. Test on the flat face vs edge grain.

Cedar cuts easily in one pass — soft grain and consistent density work in your favor. Air assist is critical to manage the aromatic smoke from the oils. The cut edges have a beautiful reddish color. Popular for jewelry boxes and decorative items.

Cedar is a soft, aromatic wood — engraves beautifully with deep contrast at relatively low power. The aromatic oils enhance the engrave result but require very good ventilation. Lower power prevents burning through the soft grain. Results are visually stunning.

Alder is a medium-density hardwood — cuts reliably in 2 passes at near full power. Cleaner edges than oak. Alder is widely used in the laser community specifically because it machines and cuts so well.

Alder is a fine-grained hardwood popular for laser engraving — clean marks, consistent results, subtle grain. Very similar to birch in behavior. 55% at 350mm/min gives a medium-brown mark. Good for signs, plaques, and personalized gifts.

Pine cuts easily in one pass at 40W — softwood responds well. Air assist keeps edges cleaner and prevents flare-ups from the resin. Slight yellowing on cut edges is normal and part of the pine aesthetic. Faster than hardwoods.

Pine is a softwood with high resin content — engraves quickly with great contrast. The resin produces a rich caramel color. Keep power moderate to avoid excessive burning. Grain variation creates interesting texture in engraved pieces. Aromatic when lasing — good ventilation required.

Cherry cuts cleanly with 2 passes at full power. Clean edges, minimal char compared to oak. Use air assist. Cherry is slightly resinous — wipe edges with isopropyl after cutting for a clean finish.

Cherry is one of the best woods for CO2 engraving — tight grain, consistent density, beautiful warm brown mark. Slightly softer than oak so you can run a little faster. Low power gives a subtle contrast; push to 70% for deep dark marks. No coating needed.

Oak requires 2 passes at full power to cut 3mm. Dense grain means more char on edges versus softwoods. Air assist is essential. Check sheet flatness — oak tends to warp. Score the reverse side first on thicker stock.

Oak is a tight-grained hardwood that engraves with excellent contrast and fine detail at 40W. Slower speed compensates for the density. Run a material test grid to dial in contrast — lighter marks at 50%, darker at 70%. Grain direction affects texture. Wipe with a dry cloth after.

OMTech Help Center recommends 200 mm/s, ~18–20% power, 0.08 mm line interval for coated/anodized metals on their 40–60W CO2 machines. Start at 20% and reduce if the anodize burns through or flakes. Source: help.omtech.com/en/training-center/metal-processing

UV photopolymer blanks can be laser engraved with CO2. Use high DPI for fine text. Transparent blanks benefit from a white paper underlay to help absorb the beam. Less deep than rubber at same power.

Engrave from the back side for a reverse-mirror effect. Mask front with transfer tape to protect the mirror surface from debris and scratching.

Cut mirrored acrylic with the mirror side facing down. Same settings as standard coloured acrylic. Remove protective film after cutting — not before.

HDF/hardboard is denser than MDF — slightly higher power needed for same thickness. Good for backing boards, signage, and jigsaw puzzle bases.

Thin mylar cuts very precisely. Great for paint stencils. Use masking tape to hold down edges — film can lift from airflow.

White frosted engrave on black acrylic. Very high contrast. Great for signage and awards.

6mm acrylic needs 2 passes. Flame-polished edge but may have slight haze — remove masking immediately after cutting.

High contrast on pale maple. Popular for cutting boards and signs.

Maple is dense but clean-cutting. Bright white wood shows great contrast on engraves.

Lovely warm tones on cherry. Very popular for personalised gifts. Keep power moderate to preserve the colour.

Cherry cuts cleanly with a warm reddish edge. Beautiful for jewellery and gift items.

Smooth surface engrave with good contrast. Lower to 200mm/s for 3D relief / grayscale photo engraving.

6mm MDF is consistent — no voids like plywood. 2 passes. Heavy fumes — ventilate well.

Pushing the 40W limit. 3 passes at max focus. Some carbonising on edges expected. Clean optics before long runs.

Birch at 6mm is denser than basswood. 2 passes needed. Air assist critical — glue layers can catch.

Deeper relief at 6mm thickness. Good for signs and layered designs.

6mm basswood needs 2 passes. Refocus between passes for best edge quality.

Very light wood — single pass. Reduce speed slightly if edges are slightly tacky.

Apply dish soap or wet newspaper over the glass surface before engraving. Reduces thermal shock and gives a frosted white finish. Wipe clean after.

Excellent contrast on natural cork. Great for wine corks and coasters. Light touch for surface mark.

Cork cuts cleanly. No air assist — cork is porous and light. Good for coasters and backing boards.

Distressed / bleached look on denim. Very popular for patches and jeans customisation. Wash after to remove debris.

Heavier weave needs more power. Slight browning on edges — expected. Test on scrap for your weight denim.

Single-layer cotton. Sealed edges, no fraying. Pin or tape flat to prevent shifting. Natural fibres work best with CO2.

Surface texture engrave on felt. Reduces pile for a velvet contrast effect.

Clean sealed edges — no fraying. CO2 is ideal for felt. Keep air assist off to avoid blowing material.

Shallow relief engrave. Good for costume props and cosplay details. Adjust power for depth.

EVA foam cuts very cleanly with CO2. Slight melted edge seals the foam — no fraying. Vent well.

Good for prototyping and packaging mockups. Single pass, clean cut.

Light surface engrave for signage or product packaging. Avoid burning through the flute layer.

Skip air assist on cardboard — it can cause flare-ups. Keep an eye on the cut. Corrugated 4mm single-wall.

Kraft paper cuts cleanly. Good for gift wrap cutouts and packaging details.

Very light kiss engrave. Great for debossed text on card blanks.

CO2 cuts paper effortlessly. Fast and precise for card-making and stencils. No air assist — paper is lightweight.

Dense hardwood needs slightly higher power than basswood. Clean cut.

CO2 gives excellent depth on bamboo. Clean sharp contrast.

Coat tile with Cermark, let dry, laser, wash off with water. Permanent fused mark.

Deep relief engrave for stamp making. 500 DPI for fine detail. Invert image — dark areas engrave.

Bright white engrave on slate. CO2 gives excellent contrast. Invert image.

3–4mm leather. Clean cut, sealed edges.

Rich dark engrave. CO2 works beautifully on leather. Test power on scrap.

Frosted engrave on clear acrylic. 20% power gives clean frosting without melting.

Crystal-clear flame-polished edges. Remove film. Vent well — acrylic fumes.

Excellent cut quality. Flame-polished edges. Remove protective film after cutting.

5mm takes 2 passes. Keep focus sharp. Check lens cleanliness before long cuts.

One pass through 3mm MDF. Clean cut, minimal char.

Fast engrave at 300mm/s. Reduce to 200mm/s for photo quality. DPI 300.

Single pass, clean cut. CO2 makes light work of thin wood. Air assist on.

Excellent contrast on maple with CO2. Very fine detail possible. One of the best material/machine combinations for photo engraving.

CO2 on walnut gives exceptional depth and detail. Low power keeps contrast good even on this dark wood.

Single pass clean cut on veg tan with CO2. Sealed edges, slight char is normal and can be burnished off.

CO2 produces excellent stamp results. High DPI for crisp detail. Strong ventilation essential — rubber fumes are toxic.

Frosted result. No air assist for engraving acrylic — can cause micro-cracking.

Cast acrylic cuts clean. Extruded acrylic flames more and edges are less clean. Leave masking on.

CO2 speed in mm/s not mm/min. Light clean engrave. CO2 on basswood is fast — you need less power than you think.

What materials can the OMTech 40W CO2 engrave or cut?

The OMTech 40W CO2 has community-tested settings for Cardboard, Cardstock, Paper, Ceramic Tile, Plywood, 3mm Black Acrylic, 3mm MDF, Bamboo, and 75 more. Results vary by material batch, focus, and ambient conditions — always test on scrap first.

Is the OMTech 40W CO2 compatible with LightBurn?

Yes, the OMTech 40W CO2 works natively with LightBurn.

What is the work area of the OMTech 40W CO2?

The OMTech 40W CO2 has a work area of 300×200 mm (approximately 12×8 inches).

What settings should I use to cut Cardboard on the OMTech 40W CO2?

A community-tested starting point is speed 60 mm/s, power 20% in a single pass. Always run a test cut on scrap to confirm before committing to your project.

What can a CO₂ laser like the OMTech 40W CO2 cut that a diode laser cannot?

CO₂ lasers can cut and engrave clear acrylic, glass (with care), fabric, and thicker wood more cleanly than diode lasers, because the CO₂ wavelength is absorbed by materials that are transparent to diode light. This makes the OMTech 40W CO2 more versatile for craft and production use.