Laser cutting & engraving guides
Straight, tested answers on settings, materials, pricing and the problems that stop a job mid-cut — from the team behind the free laser cost calculator.
Price your own file →- How much does laser cutting cost?
The real formula shops use — machine time × hourly rate + material + setup — with per-part examples.
- How to price laser engraving
Stop guessing at quotes. A machine-time rate + setup + minimum that actually covers your costs.
- Laser cutting settings for wood (plywood & MDF)
Starting power/speed for plywood and MDF on diode and CO2 lasers — plus how to kill burnt edges.
- Laser settings for acrylic (engraving & cutting)
CO2 settings for a glossy engrave and flame-polished cut — and why diodes can't touch clear acrylic.
- What can a laser cut and engrave?
A clear yes/no list by material and laser type — including the materials that are never safe to cut.
- Laser power & speed settings chart
A one-page starting-point cheat sheet for diode and CO2 — and the test-grid method that beats any chart.
- How to stop burn marks on wood
Air assist, masking, focus and the right settings — seven fixes for scorched edges and soot.
- Why won't my laser cut all the way through?
A step-by-step checklist — focus, lens, speed, material, alignment — for cuts that stop halfway.
Settings by machine
- Glowforge settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the Glowforge (Basic / Plus / Pro).
- xTool D1 Pro settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the xTool D1 Pro 10 W.
- xTool S1 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the xTool S1 40 W.
- OMTech K40 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the OMTech K40 40 W CO2.
- Ortur Laser Master 3 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the Ortur Laser Master 3 (10 W).
- Sculpfun S9 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the Sculpfun S9 (5.5 W).
- Creality Falcon2 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the Creality Falcon2 40 W.
- Atomstack A20 Pro settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the Atomstack A20 Pro (20 W).
- xTool P2 settings
Cut & engrave power/speed cheat sheet for the xTool P2 / P2S 55 W CO2.