3mm Coloured Acrylic
This page lists 4 community-tested settings for 3mm Coloured Acrylic. Acrylic cuts and engraves cleanly on both CO2 and diode lasers. Cast acrylic gives a frosted edge on cuts; extruded acrylic melts and polishes.
Top setting per machine
Works with these machines
4 settings
Supplies to have on hand
Materials and accessories that pair well with 3mm Coloured Acrylic laser projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best laser settings for 3mm Coloured Acrylic?
A top-rated community setting for 3mm Coloured Acrylic on the Glowforge Pro is speed 15 mm/s, power 60%. There are 4 community-tested settings for 3mm Coloured Acrylic across 4 machines on this page.
Can a diode laser engrave or cut 3mm Coloured Acrylic?
Yes — there are 2 community settings for 3mm Coloured Acrylic on diode lasers and 2 on CO₂ lasers. CO₂ lasers generally cut faster and cleaner, but modern high-wattage diode lasers handle most acrylic work well.
Do I need air assist for 3mm Coloured Acrylic?
75% of the community settings for 3mm Coloured Acrylic use air assist. Air assist is strongly recommended — it reduces charring and improves cut quality.
What speed and power to cut 3mm Coloured Acrylic in one pass?
Settings vary by machine wattage. For a 20W diode laser, cutting 3mm Coloured Acrylic typically requires high power (90–100%) at moderate speed (1500–3000 mm/min) with air assist. CO₂ lasers can cut 3mm material faster — 20–60 mm/s at 50–70% power is common. Check the settings table below for your specific machine.
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