Materials Guide
The material options for laser cutting and engraving are extensive. If you don’t see the material you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us.
| Material | Cutting | Engraving |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood | Yes | Yes |
| Hardwood | Yes | Yes |
| Acrylic | Yes | Yes |
| Leather | Yes | Yes |
| Thick Card | Yes | Yes |
| Metal | No | Yes |
| Glass | No | Yes |
| Laserable Rubber | No | Yes |
| Stone and Concrete | No | Yes |
Plywood
Cut | Engrave | Etch
Plywood is our most popular materials for three key reasons:
It’s affordable
It’s versatile
It looks great
We’re big fans of Baltic Birch and we stock it in ⅛” and ¼” thickness. It cuts quickly with an attractive finish. We strongly recommend Baltic Birch over other species as other plywood types contain adhesives which don’t cut as well in terms of speed and quality.
Hardwood
Cut | Engrave | Etch
Hardwood is a great option if you’re looking for a premium finish or if you have a slab of wood kicking around that you’d like to work with. You can supply it in sheet form for laser cutting and engraving, or you can supply an existing product like a gift box or a cutting board.
Acrylic (Plexiglass)
Cut | Engrave | Etch
You probably know acrylic by its trade name, Plexiglass. Acrylic is a very popular material for laser cutting. It’s a rigid plastic with a premium high gloss finish. It’s available in many different colours and finishes, which makes it great for custom signage and displays. Laser cutting is the best way to use this material. It’s commonly used for packaging, signage, point of sale displays, jewelry and ornaments. Engraving on acrylic is a great way to introduce a polished pop to your colourful retail projects.
Leather
Cut | Engrave | Etch
Leather is great for luxury tags and accessories such as bags, wallets, and book covers. Laser cutting is a fantastic way to cut intricate designs in leather products, as well as logos and other branding for labels and tags. Leather is an interesting material to work with because it’s both soft and durable. Because of the material’s softness, laser engraving is the best way to make precise markings without causing damage.
Thick Card
Cut | Engrave | Etch
Though most papers can only be laser cut, really thicc card can also be engraved. Laser engraving can be an alternative to embossing for stationary or tags, and is also an excellent way to add finer details or textures to designs such as architectural models, premium wedding invitations, and paper based art work.
Metal
Engrave | Etch
We don’t offer metal cutting, but we can engrave onto most types of metal. Stainless steel and aluminum work especially well. We can also mark on coatings such anodized finishes for a fantastic two-toned look on your product. Laser engraved metal gives a sharp look to professional and corporate gifts.
Glass
Engrave | Etch
Even if there’s a slight curve to the surface, glass can actually be engraved.
Laserable Rubber
Cut | Engrave | Etch
Laser engraved rubber is most commonly used to design stamps for branding and crafts. Because rubber is flexible it’s also a great way to test prototype. Rubber can be laser engraved to create custom gaskets and other protective parts.
Natural Stone & Concrete
Engrave | Etch
We can engrave on stone. It renders really beautifully if your stone product has a smooth or polished surface. The laser leaves a rough textured finish which contrasts in a really special way.