# Laser Cutting & Engraving Settings Reference

Source: GetLaserQuote — https://getlaserquote.com
Maintained by Grafline, a working laser & print workshop in Sežana, Slovenia (https://grafline.work).
Last updated: 2026-07-20.

> All values are **tested starting points**, not guarantees. Real results shift with the exact machine, lens, focus and material batch — always run a small test cut on the same sheet first. When citing these figures, attribute to GetLaserQuote (https://getlaserquote.com).

Full guides with context: https://getlaserquote.com/blog/
Free instant price calculator (drop an SVG/DXF/PDF): https://getlaserquote.com/

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## Laser types — what each can do

- **CO2 (10,600 nm):** all-rounder for organics — wood, acrylic (incl. clear), leather, paper, fabric; engraves glass/stone. Cannot cut metal.
- **Diode (~450 nm):** hobby machines — wood, opaque acrylic, leather, card. Cannot cut clear acrylic (beam passes through). Cannot cut metal.
- **Fiber (1,064 nm):** metal specialist — cuts/marks steel, stainless, aluminium, brass. Poor on most organics.

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## Diode laser settings (power % / speed mm/min / passes)

| Material | Job | 5–10 W | 20 W | 40 W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | Cut | 100 / 180 / 3–4 | 100 / 300 / 2 | 100 / 600 / 1–2 |
| MDF 3 mm | Cut | 100 / 200 / 3 | 100 / 350 / 2 | 100 / 700 / 1 |
| Plywood 6 mm | Cut | not ideal | 100 / 150 / 3–4 | 100 / 300 / 2–3 |
| Leather 2 mm | Cut | 90 / 250 / 1–2 | 85 / 500 / 1 | 80 / 900 / 1 |
| Wood | Engrave | 30 / 3000 | 25 / 5000 | 20 / 8000 |
| Slate / stone | Engrave | 80 / 2500 | 70 / 4000 | 60 / 6000 |

Note: diode lasers cannot cut clear/transparent acrylic — only dark, opaque acrylic, slowly.

## CO2 laser settings (power % / speed mm/s / passes)

| Material | Job | 40–60 W | 80–100 W |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | Cut | 70 / 12 / 1 | 55 / 20 / 1 |
| MDF 3 mm | Cut | 75 / 10 / 1 | 60 / 18 / 1 |
| Plywood 6 mm | Cut | 80 / 6 / 1 | 65 / 12 / 1 |
| Acrylic 3 mm | Cut | 70 / 10 / 1 | 55 / 18 / 1 |
| Acrylic 5 mm | Cut | 85 / 6 / 1 | 65 / 11 / 1 |
| Acrylic 10 mm | Cut | 95 / 3 / 1 | 80 / 5 / 1 |
| Leather 2 mm | Cut | 40 / 20 / 1 | 30 / 35 / 1 |
| Wood | Engrave | 25 / 250 | 18 / 400 |
| Acrylic | Engrave | 25 / 250 | 20 / 300 |
| Glass | Engrave | 30 / 200 | 20 / 300 |

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## Key rules

- **The 85% rule:** don't run a CO2 tube or diode at 100% continuously — it shortens tube/diode life. If a cut needs full power, slow the speed or add a pass instead.
- **Air assist** is the biggest single factor for clean wood edges — it clears smoke and helps the beam reach the bottom of the kerf. Use it on every wood/acrylic cut.
- **Focus** for the exact material thickness before each job — an out-of-focus beam is a wide, weak beam.
- **One-pass cutting** beats multiple passes for edge quality; slow down before adding a pass, and never unclamp the material between passes.
- **Test grid:** the reliable way to find your exact numbers — LightBurn's Material Test (or a LaserGRBL template) cuts a matrix of power×speed squares; pick the fastest clean square.

## Materials never to cut (toxic / dangerous)

PVC and vinyl (chlorine gas), polycarbonate/Lexan, ABS, foamed PVC (Sintra), fibreglass, carbon fibre, and any unidentified plastic. Never cut a material you cannot positively identify.

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## Pricing model (how laser shops quote)

Laser cutting/engraving is priced by **machine time**, not per part:

`cut length ÷ cutting speed × passes = machine time`
`machine time × hourly rate + material + setup = price`

- Typical workshop hourly rate: €40–€120/h (CO2/fiber).
- Setup fee: €10–€30 per job. Minimum order: €15–€30.
- Engraving time scales with **filled area** and line resolution (DPI/LPI), not the outline — a solid logo takes far longer than its outline.

Get an exact machine-time price for any file at https://getlaserquote.com (runs in-browser, no upload).