Alder
OtherLess common than basswood but behaves very similarly. Settings for basswood usually work as a starting point. Takes stain well after engraving.
View Settings →Cardboard
OtherUse the minimum power needed — cardboard is a fire risk. Air assist is important. Thin card stock cuts faster and cleaner than thick corrugated. Great for testing new designs before committing to wood.
View Settings →Cedar
OtherThe natural oils and resins in cedar can cause flare-ups — keep air assist on. Settings vary between
Western Red Cedar and Eastern Red Cedar; test first.
View Settings →Cork
OtherCork burns quickly — use lower power than you think you need. Thin sheets (3mm) cut cleanly in a
single pass at moderate speed. The natural texture adds character to engraved designs.
View Settings →Felt
OtherAcrylic felt cuts cleanly and is the most laser-friendly. Wool felt also works but requires slightly
different settings. Natural fibers can smolder — monitor the cut closely and use air assist.
View Settings →Foam
OtherEVA foam cuts easily at low power. Avoid PVC foam — it releases toxic fumes. The density of foam
varies widely between brands; always run a test cut first. Thick foam may need multiple passes.
View Settings →Glass
OtherGlass engraving works best with a CO2 laser. Diode lasers struggle on most glass. Apply a thin layer
of wet newspaper, dish soap, or laser-specific compound to reduce chipping. Engrave at low power, multiple passes for cleaner results.
View Settings →Hardboard
OtherPegboard is a common type of hardboard. The smooth side engraves better than the rough side. Very
dense — may need more passes to cut through than MDF of the same thickness.
View Settings →Paper
OtherPaper catches fire easily — use very low power and keep the laser moving. Air assist helps prevent
scorching. 300gsm cardstock cuts cleanly in one pass on most machines. Thin the masking tape to hold pieces
flat.
View Settings →Rubber
OtherUse the lowest power that still achieves clean ablation — too much heat melts rather than ablates. The depth of cut determines how much ink the stamp holds. PVC-free rubber is essential; PVC releases toxic chlorine
gas when lasered.
View Settings →Stainless Steel
OtherBare stainless steel requires a fiber or IR laser to mark directly. For diode and CO2 lasers, use
Cermark spray, titanium dioxide paste, or dry molybdenum lubricant as a marking agent. Tumblers and water bottles are the most popular stainless blanks.
View Settings →Washi Tape
OtherApply washi tape to a cutting mat or acrylic backing sheet before lasering so pieces do not shift.
Very low power needed — the tape is thin and delicate. Test cut depth carefully as rolls vary in thickness.
View Settings →