Laser Settings by Material

10mm Plywood

12mm MDF

12mm Plywood

2mm Basswood Plywood

2mm MDF

3mm Baltic Birch Plywood

3mm Basswood Plywood

3mm Cherry Plywood

3mm Hardboard HDF

3mm MDF

3mm Maple Plywood

3mm Walnut Plywood

4mm MDF

Consistent density, cuts cleanly. Common craft thickness between 3mm and 6mm.

4mm Plywood

Mid-thickness plywood. Requires more passes than 3mm. Check for voids in cheap sheets — affects cut consistency.

5mm Plywood

6mm Baltic Birch Plywood

6mm Basswood Plywood

6mm MDF

6mm Maple Plywood

Hardwood plywood with fine grain. Engraves with high contrast. May require multiple passes to cut cleanly.

9mm Birch Plywood

Alder

Less common than basswood but behaves very similarly. Settings for basswood usually work as a starting point. Takes stain well after engraving.

Alder 3mm

Balsa Wood

Bamboo

Bamboo cutting boards are one of the most popular laser engraving blanks. The laminated grain direction matters — engraving across the grain gives different results than with it.

Bamboo 3mm

Bamboo Cutting Board

Basswood

Most laser makers use 3mm sheets. Buy "laser-grade" basswood — it has fewer internal voids and knots that cause inconsistent cuts. Thicker sheets (5–6mm) need multiple passes or higher power.

Cedar

The 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.

Cedar 3mm

Cherry

One of the most satisfying woods to engrave — the reddish tones show engraving depth well. Thin sheets can warp; clamp or tape flat before engraving.

Cherry 3mm

Hardboard

Pegboard 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.

MDF

MDF produces significant smoke and fine dust — always use air assist and good ventilation. The resin binders can be harsh. Painted MDF engraves even better contrast than raw.

Maple

Hard maple needs more power than basswood. End grain vs face grain behaves differently — face grain gives cleaner results. Engravings darken nicely with food-safe mineral oil finish.

Oak

Open grain means the laser follows wood grain slightly — use higher DPI for cleaner results. Red oak and white oak engrave differently; white oak gives more uniform results.

Oak 3mm

Painted / Primed MDF

Engraving removes paint to reveal MDF beneath. Good for two-tone effect. Ensure paint is non-toxic when burned.

Pine

The resin pockets in pine can cause flares and uneven engraving. Use air assist and expect some cleanup. Knotty areas engrave darker than clear grain.

Pine 3mm

Plywood

Quality varies hugely. Cheap craft-store ply has glue voids that stop the laser and leave charred edges. Invest in Baltic birch or laser-grade plywood for consistent results.

Proofgrade Draftboard

Glowforge's branded MDF-based sheet material. Consistent laser response. Use Glowforge's built-in Draftboard settings as a starting point.

Walnut

Real hardwood behaves differently from basswood — it needs more power to engrave deeply. The natural oils in walnut can cause slight charring; wipe with a damp cloth after engraving.

Faux Leather

Genuine Leather

Genuine Leather (Veg-Tan, ~3mm)

Leather

Vegetable-tanned leather engraves best — the tannins react to the laser heat cleanly. Chrome-tanned and faux leather release toxic fumes; only engrave natural leathers. After engraving, peel adhesive tape across the surface to lift soot.

3mm Black Acrylic

3mm Clear Acrylic

3mm Clear Acrylic (Cast)

3mm Coloured Acrylic

3mm Mirrored Acrylic

3mm Tinted Acrylic

6mm Clear Acrylic

Acrylic

Cast acrylic cuts and engraves better than extruded acrylic. Clear acrylic requires a CO2 laser — diode lasers cannot cut clear acrylic. Leave the protective masking on while engraving to prevent scratches and smoke residue.

Acrylic 6mm

Acrylic Felt

White Acrylic

Rowmark Engraving Plastic

Delrin / Acetal

Cuts and engraves cleanly. Self-lubricating plastic popular for functional parts, stamps, and gears.

Polycarbonate (Lexan)

Tends to melt rather than cut cleanly — best for engraving only. Use low power, high speed. Not recommended for cutting.

Aluminum Dog Tag

Aluminum Keychain

Anodized Aluminum

This is one of the few metals a diode laser can mark well. Black anodized gives the highest contrast. Settings are very sensitive — too much power blows out detail. Keep DPI high (300+) for fine text.

Bare Aluminum

Black Anodized Aluminum

Black Anodized Aluminum Dog Tag

Black Oxide Stainless Steel

Brass

Carbon Steel

Chrome Plated Steel

Coated / Powder Coated Steel

Coated Stainless Steel Tumbler

Copper

Gold-Filled Jewellery

Nickel Plated Steel

Powder Coated Aluminum

Powder Coated Steel

Silver Jewellery

Spray Painted Metal

Stainless Steel

Bare 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.

Stainless Steel Business Card

Stainless Steel Dog Tag

Stainless Steel Keychain

Stainless Steel Knife Blade

Stainless Steel Tumbler

Titanium

Zippo Lighter (Chrome)

Ceramic Mug

Ceramic Tile

Two methods: spray white paint (Norton method) then engrave — the laser chars the paint black. Or use Cermark/titanium dioxide paste — the laser fuses it to the glaze permanently. White glazed tiles work best. Do not engrave uncoated tile directly.

Glass

Glass 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.

Granite Tile

Engrave with high power, low speed. Results vary by granite colour and mineral composition. Light-coloured granites work best.

Marble Tile

Slate

Invert your image in LightBurn for slate — dark areas in your design will be light on the finished piece. Coasters are the most popular slate blank. Some makers spray with Rustoleum crystal clear enamel first to brighten the result further.

Slate (coaster)

Cardboard

Use 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.

Cardboard (corrugated, ~3–4mm)

Cardboard 3mm

Cardstock

Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm)

Cardstock 160gsm

Cardstock 300gsm

Chipboard 2mm

Copy Paper 80gsm

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated Cardboard 4mm

Dark Paper

Kraft Paper

Paper

Paper 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.

Washi Tape

Apply 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.

Adhesive Vinyl

Cut-only material. Low power, high speed. Do not engrave — releases chlorine gas. Use in well-ventilated area.

Canvas

Natural canvas engraves well at low power. Ensure it is stretched flat. Works for art prints and bag personalisation.

Corian / Solid Surface

Acrylic-based solid surface material. Engraves to a white matte finish. Consistent and easy to work with.

Cork

Cork 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.

Cork 3mm

Cork Sheet 3mm

Cotton Fabric

Craft Felt 3mm

Denim Fabric

EVA Foam 3mm

EVA Foam 6mm

Felt

Acrylic 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.

Foam

EVA 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.

Foam Board 5mm

HTV Vinyl

Linen Fabric

Natural fabric that engraves and cuts well. Similar to cotton but slightly stiffer. Stretch flat before engraving.

Mylar Stencil 7.5mil

Photopolymer Stamp Blank

Rubber

Use 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.

Rubber Stamp Blank

Rubber Stamp Material