What the laser can handle

An 80 watt CO2 laser with a 29 by 17 inch bed. If your material is not listed, ask.

Cut, engrave, or mark

The lists below sort materials by what the laser can do to them. The three words mean different things.

  • Cut

    The beam goes all the way through the material. This is how tags get their outline and screw holes, and how signs and ornaments get their shapes.

  • Engrave

    The beam removes a thin layer and leaves a recessed design in the surface. The laser engraves names, logos, and artwork.

  • Mark

    The beam changes the surface or its coating without cutting into the material under it. A mark is shallow, and often only a change in color.

How thick a piece the laser can cut through depends on the material. If thickness matters to your job, include it when you ask.

Cuts and engraves

The beam can go all the way through these, so the laser makes outlines, holes, and cut-out shapes as well as engraving.

  • Engraving plastic

    Two ply engraving plastic, including metallic and wood looks. The laser removes the top layer to show the contrasting layer under it. See industrial tags for sizes, colors, and mounting.

  • Acrylic

    Acrylic, clear and colored. It cuts to a smooth edge, and engraving leaves a frosted mark that reads lighter than the sheet.

  • Wood

    Solid wood, plywood, MDF, and veneer. Engraving darkens the surface and cut edges darken slightly. Species and grain change how deep and dark the mark looks.

  • Cork

    Cuts cleanly and engraves to a darker mark. Cork coasters are on the custom work page.

  • Leather

    Leather and leatherette. Engraving leaves a darker, slightly recessed mark, and the laser cuts shapes such as patches and key fobs. Check that a leatherette is not PVC first. See the materials a CO2 laser cannot safely process.

  • Paper

    Paper and card stock. The laser cuts fine shapes and engraves a light brown mark. Thin stock can scorch along cut edges.

Engraves or marks

An 80 watt CO2 laser does not cut metal, glass, stone, or ceramic. On these materials the beam works the surface only.

  • Powder coat

    Powder coated cups and bottles. The laser removes the coating and shows the metal underneath, so the result is one color. See cup engraving.

  • Anodized aluminum

    The laser removes the dyed anodized surface and leaves a light mark on the color. Pet tags are anodized aluminum.

  • Glass

    The laser frosts the surface and does not cut through. Pint, wine, and whiskey glasses are on the custom work page.

  • Slate, stone, ceramic

    Slate, stone, and ceramic. The laser removes a fine layer of the surface. On dark slate the mark reads lighter than the stone.

  • Bare metal

    Bare metal, with a marking compound. An 80 watt CO2 laser does not mark bare metal on its own. A marking compound applied to the metal bonds to the surface under the beam and leaves a lasting mark.

What fits the bed

The bed is 29 inches by 17 inches. The largest flat piece that fits is 29 by 17, and the tag builder accepts custom sizes up to that limit. Anything bigger does not fit on the bed, so if your piece is larger, ask.

Measure the flat face you want engraved, or the finished size you want cut, in inches. Note the thickness too.

Cups, bottles, and other round pieces do not lie flat on a bed, so the flat-piece size above does not apply to them. Pick yours on the cup engraving page, or ask.

29 in 17 in Letter sheet 8.5 x 11 in 8 x 10 in 4 x 6 in 1.5 x 4 in
Drawn to scale. Grid lines are 5 inches apart. The tags use sizes from the tag builder.

Materials a CO2 laser cannot safely process

This is general laser safety guidance for any CO2 laser. Under the beam these materials release toxic or corrosive fumes, melt, or catch fire.

PVC and vinyl
Heated PVC and vinyl give off chlorine gas and hydrochloric acid fumes. Both are toxic to breathe, and the acid corrodes the laser itself. Vinyl sheet, many adhesive vinyl films, and some imitation leathers are PVC.
PTFE (Teflon)
It releases toxic fumes that contain fluorine.
ABS plastic
It melts and gives off toxic fumes, including hydrogen cyanide.
Polycarbonate
Often sold as clear sheet that looks like acrylic. It chars, yellows, and smokes instead of cutting cleanly, and it can catch fire.
Fiberglass and carbon fiber
The resin that binds them gives off toxic fumes when heated, and the fibers are a hazard to breathe.
Foam plastics
Polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene foam melt and can catch fire.
Anything you cannot identify
Do not assume an unknown material is safe. Look for the maker's label or safety data sheet, and ask first.

If your material is not listed, ask

This page lists the common materials, not every material. If yours is not here, ask first, before you buy anything.

Describe it in the notes on your quote request, and attach a photo and your artwork.

Request a quote How an order works

Put this in your message

  • What it is. The material name and brand, or a link to the product page.
  • Thickness. Measure it, or copy it from the label.
  • Size. The width and height of the flat face to engrave, or of the piece to cut.
  • What goes on it. Text, a logo, or both, and how many pieces.
  • A photo. Show the material and any label or coating.