Glowforge settings — cut & engrave cheat sheet
Tested starting-point power, speed and pass settings for the Glowforge (Basic / Plus / Pro) (CO2 (40–45 W)). Every machine and material batch differs — treat these as a fast start, then fine-tune with a test grid.
Price a job on the Glowforge →Glowforge settings (power % / speed mm/s / passes)
| Material | Job | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | Cut | 70% / 12 / 1 pass |
| MDF 3 mm | Cut | 75% / 10 / 1 pass |
| Acrylic 3 mm | Cut | 70% / 10 / 1 pass |
| Acrylic 5 mm | Cut | 85% / 6 / 1 pass |
| Leather 2 mm | Cut | 40% / 20 / 1 pass |
| Wood | Engrave | 25% / 250 mm/s |
| Acrylic | Engrave | 25% / 250 mm/s |
| Glass | Engrave | 30% / 200 mm/s |
Always: use air assist, focus for the exact thickness, and don't hold 100% power to force a cut — slow the speed or add a pass instead. Find your exact numbers with a material test grid.
Get an exact price for the Glowforge
Settings give you the speed; the calculator turns your file's path length into machine time and cost, scaled to the Glowforge.
Open the Glowforge calculator →FAQ
What power and speed cuts 3 mm plywood on the Glowforge?
On the Glowforge (Basic / Plus / Pro), a tested starting point for 3 mm plywood is 70% power at / 12 / 1 pass. Values are starting points — run a small test on the same sheet, and use air assist for a clean edge.
Can the Glowforge cut clear acrylic?
Yes. The Glowforge is a CO2 laser, which cuts clear acrylic cleanly with a flame-polished edge. Use one slower pass with gentle air assist for the glossiest edge.
How much does it cost to run the Glowforge?
Laser jobs are priced by machine time: cut length ÷ cutting speed × passes = time, then time × hourly rate + setup. Drop your file into the free calculator scaled to the Glowforge to get an exact time and price.