Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Blade cut mode — laser is NOT used for cardstock cutting on the M1 (fire risk with paper). Use the fine-point blade (not the standard blade; fine-point is rated for materials up to 1.5mm). In XCS select 'Blade Cut' and choose cardstock from the material library — the software auto-populates cut pressure ~300g and speed ~80mm/s. One community user confirmed pressure 300g / speed 80mm/s successfully cuts cardstock. For heavier cardstock (300 gsm+) increase pressure to 350–380g. Use the cutting mat; mirror your design if needed. Source: xTool support article 'Use the Cutting Blade to Process Materials with xTool M1' (support.xtool.com/article/1817); xTool community support thread M1 220gr cardstock (support.xtool.com/community-support/detail/3842); Creative Ramblings M1 vinyl cutting guide.

What are the best laser settings for Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm)?

A top-rated community setting for Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm) on the OMTech 40W CO2 is speed 300 mm/s, power 8%. There are 13 community-tested settings for Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm) across 9 machines on this page.

Can a diode laser engrave or cut Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm)?

Yes - there are 8 community settings for Cardstock (80–110 lb / ~220–300 gsm) on diode lasers and 5 on CO₂ lasers. CO₂ lasers generally cut faster and cleaner, but modern high-wattage diode lasers handle most paper work well.