Laser settings by machine
Pick your machine, then your material. Every number links to where it came from.
- 1
Start with a test grid
Run your machine's material test on a scrap of the same sheet. - 2
Begin at the values here
They're the maker's (or a community) starting point for your machine. - 3
Change one thing at a time
Not cutting through? Slow down or add a pass before adding power.
All matching settings
Tap a row to show it on the dials.
| Material | Thick. | Operation | Power | Speed | Passes | Line interval | Freq | Pulse | Source |
|---|
Materials guide
Background from Wikipedia. Counts are rows on this site.
Basswood
Soft, pale, even-grained wood from linden trees. Wikipedia
Safe? Natural wood: OK to laser with ventilation.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (451), CO2 (158), UV (2)
Plywood
Thin wood layers glued together. Wikipedia
Safe? OK with ventilation; glue layers can stop a cut — test.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (593), CO2 (380)
MDF
Wood fibres bonded with resin. Wikipedia
Safe? Resin binders give off fumes — vent well.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (262), CO2 (139)
Walnut
Dark, dense hardwood. Wikipedia
Safe? Natural wood: OK with ventilation.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (158), CO2 (112), Ir (2)
Bamboo
Fast-growing grass, sold as boards and cutting boards. Wikipedia
Safe? OK with ventilation.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (239), CO2 (142), UV (6)
Cork
Bark of the cork oak; light and springy. Wikipedia
Safe? Burns easily — never leave the laser alone.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (175), CO2 (85), UV (4)
Leather
Tanned animal hide. Wikipedia
Safe? Strong smell — vent well.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (384), CO2 (223), UV (4), Ir (2), Mopa (2)
Faux leather
Plastic-coated fabric (often PU, sometimes PVC). Wikipedia
Safe? ⚠ Only laser if the maker says PU. PVC releases chlorine gas — never laser it.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (86), CO2 (58), UV (2), Mopa (2)
Paper & cardstock
Pressed plant fibre sheets. Wikipedia
Safe? Fire risk — use air assist and stay with the machine.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (614), CO2 (242), Ir (32), Fiber (9), UV (6)
Felt & fabric
Matted or woven fibres (wool, cotton, acrylic). Wikipedia
Safe? Check fibre content; avoid vinyl-coated fabric.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (245), CO2 (149), UV (4)
Denim
Sturdy cotton twill. Wikipedia
Safe? Cotton: OK with ventilation.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (115), CO2 (59)
Acrylic (clear, black, coloured)
PMMA plastic sheet; cast cuts/engraves cleaner than extruded. Wikipedia
Safe? OK with ventilation. Blue diode light passes through clear acrylic, so diodes can't cut it.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (475), CO2 (227), UV (10), Ir (7), Mopa (2)
Anodized aluminium
Aluminium with a dyed oxide layer the laser removes. Wikipedia
Safe? OK; no fumes of note beyond dust.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (71), CO2 (43), Fiber (36), UV (7), Ir (2), Mopa (1)
Stainless steel
Chromium steel alloy. Wikipedia
Safe? Marked, not cut, on hobby machines; fiber/MOPA give best marks.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (177), Fiber (93), CO2 (49), Ir (11), UV (10), Mopa (7)
Painted & coated metal
Metal with paint or powder coat the laser burns off. Wikipedia
Safe? Coating fumes — vent well.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (80), CO2 (42), Fiber (37)
Slate
Fine-grained layered rock. Wikipedia
Safe? OK; engraves light grey.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (112), CO2 (67), Fiber (8), UV (3), Ir (3)
Glass
Hard brittle silica. Wikipedia
Safe? Can crack from heat — engrave lightly.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (74), CO2 (42), UV (10)
Ceramic tile
Fired clay, often glazed. Wikipedia
Safe? OK; glazes can need a marking coating.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (118), CO2 (74), UV (7)
Stone
Natural rock such as marble or granite. Wikipedia
Safe? OK; engrave only.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (82), CO2 (45), UV (2), Ir (1)
Rubber stamp
Laser-grade rubber sheet for stamps. Wikipedia
Safe? Use laser-safe (no chlorine) rubber only; strong smell.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (83), CO2 (83)
Tumbler coatings
Powder-coated steel cups; the laser removes the coat. Wikipedia
Safe? Coating fumes — vent well.
Laser types with settings here: Diode (44), Fiber (25), CO2 (14)
Never laser PVC, vinyl or anything with chlorine.
FAQ
Are these settings guaranteed?
No. Material batches, lens, focus and machine condition vary. Always test on scrap first.
Where do the settings come from?
Every row links to its source: a maker guide (Official) or a community library or post (Community). Gaps stay blank — we never guess.
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