Materials

As laser experts we can help you find the material you need.
Many different materials up to a size of 813mm x 505mm can be laser cut and engraved. With the CO2-Laser most materials can be cut and engraved. A fiber laser allows to permanently mark metals and some plastics.

Wood

Wood and plywood are the easiest materials to laser engrave and very popular. Precise cuts and deep engravings with good contrast are possible in most woods.

Possibilities with wood and plywood

Wood is a versatile material for laser processing. All types can be engraved. The resulting look depends on the type and the used laser settings. Cutting is possible with plywoods and thinner solid wood and veneers.

Laser cutting and engraving has many different applications. Popular are branding and personalization of objects. Depending on the laser parameter many different looks can be achieved: From very detailed engraving of small details to a more traditional branding-iron look.

Applications:

  • Gifts for clients and personalized marketing material.
  • Personalisation and branding of products.
  • Model building for prototypes and architecture models.
  • Signage, labels and plates
  • Point of sale (POS) for companies
Guatemala map sketchbook laser engraved from wood - backcover details
Engraving of birch aviation plywood
Laser engraved token made from cherry wood. It shows a small section of moon topography.
3D wood engraving in cherry wood 5mm
Topographical map of Hemmental, Schaffhausen - Detail of the village
Topographic model made from aviation plywood 2mm
Laser engraving in 1mm birchwood with LEGO minifigures
Engraving and Cutting of architectural sample in thin plywood (Birch)

Types of wood and plywood

  • Solid wood engraving works well. The resulting look depends on the wood and laser parameters.
  • Oiled and varnished wood can be processed as well. The varnish allows for easier cleaning after processing.
  • Plywood is well suited for cutting and engraving. Can be cut up to a size of 12mm. This depends on the type of wood.
  • Veneer can be cut and engraved fast and precisely.
  • MDF und HDF can be cut and engraved up to a size of around 10mm.
  • Cork can be engraved very well and cut in thinner thicknesses.
  • Poplar and birch engrave with less contrast for a more discreet look.
  • Cheery, beech, alder and oak can be engraved with good contrast.
  • Solid wood cutting is not possible in a thicknesses of more than around 8mm. The edge quality gets bad and charring occurs.

Laser processing notes

Deeper engraving and cutting on wood and plywood leave traces of smoke from laser processing. If needed a special protective foil can be applied before laser cutting to prevent these marks.

Protective foil to prevent laser residue A special foil can be applied before laser processing to prevent marks.

More about Wood

Metal

Metal can be directly laser marked with a fiber laser. On certain metals a very durable and high-contrast annealing is possible.

Laser marking on metal

Almost all metals can be directly marked or engraved with a laser. Fast and permanent markings are possible on all metals. On certain metals like steel, stainless steel and titanium a very durable and dark annealing is possible.

Applications and use cases:

  • Industrial products can be permanently marked with serial numbers or brandings.
  • Personalisations of gifts for clients or marketing materials
  • Durable marking of stainless products by annealing without damaging or changing the surface
Annealing laser marking of logo-graphic with fiber laser on brushed stainless steel
Stainless steel annealing with fiber laser
Laser engraving into metal ring made of silver by Laser Atelier
Laser engraving into metal ring made of silver.
Lasercut and engraved jewelry prototype made out of bronze metal
Laser marked jewelry made of phosphor bronze

Possible metals for laser marking

Almost all metals can be marked with a fiber laser:

  • Anodized aluminium can be marked with great detail. Colored aluminum ist best. The engraving appears white so darker colors look best.
  • Aluminium natural can be marked. The engraving appears dark-gray
  • Steel and stainless steel can be marked fast and with good contrast. A very durable and dark annealing engraving ist possible below the surface.
  • Titanium can be processed in the same way as stainless steel with marking and annealing.
  • Copper, brass, bronze can be marked with good contrast. Copper based metals react in similar ways.
  • Coated metals can be engraved by removing the paint layer precisely with the laser.
  • Silver, gold and other precious metals can be marked with the laser.
  • Round or curved objects can not be marked. The marking area has to be flat.
  • Metal cutting is not possible with our machine.
  • Deep engraving in metals is not possible. Only surface markings are offered.
More about Metal

Plastic

Plastic like acrylic, POM and many others can be laser cut an engraved. Precise cuts and detailed engravings are possible.

Possibilities with plastics

Many different plastics can be laser cut and engraved with a laser. From cutting and engraving of acrylic to marking specialised plastics like POM.

Possible applications:

  • Plastic parts of products
  • Engraving and marking of parts and machines.
  • Marking of buttons and switches
  • Packaging and personalisation of products.
  • Signage and signs.
Laserengraving of bird skull as 3D relief in Acryl/PMMA by Laser Atelier
3D Relief engraving in 8mm acrylic
Material sample for architectural models - laser engraving white acrylic 2mm
Engraving in acrylic
Laser engraving in white acrylic with LEGO minifigure
Engraving in white acrylic 2mm

Plastics suitable for laser processing

  • Arylic (Plexiglas, PMMA) can be cut up to around 10mm. Very detailed engravings are possible.
  • POM can be cut and engraved in white with the fiber laser.
  • Polyester, PET and PP can be marked and cut if thin enough
  • PET and Polyester Foils can be cut well. Small details might not be possible due to slight melting/warping of the material.
  • Silicone can be engraved well and with depth. Silicon mats can also be cut.

Plastics not suitable for laser processing

  • All materials containing PVC (polyvinylchloride) must not be processed by laser. This includes many foils and synthetic leathers. Foamed PVC like Forex is also not possible.
  • Polycarbonates (Makrolon, Lexan) is not suited as it melts strongly during cutting.
  • Polystyrene- and polypropylene foamis not suited as it melts strongly during cutting and can be a fire hazard.
  • ABS: Doesn’t cut well. They can be marked and engraved.

Laser processes

Cutting and engraving of plastic

Many plastics can be cut and engraved by laser. By laser engraving parts of the surface the material can be precisely removed. Engraving of very small details like text or graphics is possible. Most types of plastic can be engraved. Cutting is limited to certain types and thicknesses.

Coloring of plastics

Plastics can be colored by precisely heating the material in a very small spot. This process can make some types of plastic darker and some lighter. The resulting marking is depending on the type and composition of the plastic material.

Foaming of plastics

A fiber laser can mark some plastics white. This happens by melting the material to create small gas bubbles. This thin foam layer can reflect light in a different way and appear brighter than the rest of the material.

More about Plastic

Textile

Many types of textile and also leather can be cut and engraved with precision and speed. Possible materials range from synthetics to natural textiles.

Possibilities with textile and fabric

Textile have many different applications. It is possible to laser cut intricate patterns in textile materials and leather. Even small holes for sewing are not a problem. Engravings are possible on some materials.

Synthetic textiles like Nylon and Polyester are very well suited for laser processing. The cutting edges get sealed by heat of the laser and do not require further processing.

Possible use cases:

  • Cutting of textile products and patterns
  • Engraving on denim, softshell, fleece and more is possible for branding and personalisation.
  • Industrial products, prototypes and research use various textiles.
  • Marketing materials made from texil
  • Leather products
Laser engraved leather bag - detail of engraving
Laser engraving of a street map in a leather bag

Possible textiles for cutting and engraving

  • Natural fibers like cotton, silk, linen, denim and more can be cut well. The edges tend to fray similar to cutting by other methods.
  • Synthetics like nylon, polyamide and polyester allow for sealed edges with laser cutting.
  • Microfiber, softshell, fleece  and other fabrics can be cut and engraved.
  • Felt can be cut and engraved.
  • Leather can be engraved well and also be cut in lower thicknesses.
  • Synthetic leather like Alcantara can be cut and engraved. Must not contain PVC.
  • Textiles containing PVC  or with a PVC coating must not be laser processed.
More about Textile

Foil

Many plastic and some metal foil can be cut and engraved with great speed and precision with a laser cutter. Possible use cases are stencils for spray painting, detailed labels or industry uses.

Possibilities with foil

Many foils can be cut with speed and precision. On some materials a high-detail engraving is possible. A popular use case is the production of stencils for spray painting or high-contrast engraved tags and nameplates.

Not all kinds of foil can be laser processed. Any material containing PVC must not be laser cut.

Possible uses:

  • Engraving of laser foil for labels and name tags.
  • Cutting of double-sided tape for industrial uses.
  • Fashion design
  • Stencils for spray painting
  • Decoration and design.
  • Research and industry uses
Laser engraving and cut of laser foil for nametag of product.
Laser foil made from 2-layer acrylic in a stainless steel look. Product name plate.

Foil types for laser cutting and engraving

  • Polyester can be cut with speed and clean edges. On some types engraving is also possible.
  • PET is very resistant and flexible. Typical uses are stencils for spray painting.
  • Acrylic and plexiglass foil can be cut well.
  • Laser foil is a special 2-layer foil. The laser can engrave the top layer away and high contrast is possible.
  • PVC can not be laser cut. Dangerous gases are created.
More about Foil

Paper and cardboard

Many paper and cardboard materials can be cut and engraved with high speed and precision. Common applications are architecture, branding and prototyping.

Possibilities with paper and cardboard

Paper and cardboard have many different uses and are well suited for laser processing. Common uses are gifts for clients, packaging or architecture models. Even thicker cardboard can be cut but marks form laser cutting will be visible.

Possible applications:

  • Packaging
  • POS und client gifts
  • Marketing materials
  • Cards and tags
  • Architecture models and model making
Material sample for architectural models - laser engraving in gray cardboard 1mm
Cutting and engraving of cardboard
Lasercut street network of zurich in paper - In hand 2 - Robin Hanhart
Lasercut Strassen Netzwerk Zürich in Hand 2
Abstract fractures in paper layers. Graphic design and laser cut by Robin Hanhart
Lasercut paper layers for art project

Which paper and cardboard can be used?

  • Paper in different weights and thicknesses can be cut and often also engraved.
  • Grey paperboard can be cut, marked and engraved with speed and precision.
  • White cardboard can be cut and engraved. On thicker types laser residue is visible after cutting. This can be prevented by using protective foil.
  • Corrugated cardboard  can be cut and engraved. Often used in packaging.
  • Colored cardboard can most of the types be cut.
  • Problematic are some types of plastic coatings on paper or cardboard.

Material notes

Thicker types of cardboard may leave residue from the laser on the surface. If needed a special protective foil can be applied before cutting. Laser marks are greatly reduced by this.

Protective foil against laser marks can be applied on paper and cardboard to prevent laser residue. This is an addiotional fee.
By using a vacuum table even very thin papers can be processed.

More about Paper and cardboard

Glass and Ceramic

Many glass types and some ceramics can be laser processed. Permanent and durable markings are possible.

Possibilities with glass and ceramic

Many types of material can be laser marked permanently and with good contrast. The process is contactless and doesn’t need a special pre-process. Glass is often used in laboratory and research settings. Ceramic has a lot of industrial uses.

Engraving by laser etches the surface slightly and turns the marking white and matte.

Possible applications:

  • Permanent marking of cuvettes and beakers for laboratory use.
  • Engraving of mirrors
  • Decoration for branding and marketing
  • Other laboratory, research and industry uses
Laser engraving on borosilicate glass for tracking of laboratory glass 
Laser engraving on borosilicate glass for tracking of samples in a laboratory.

Types of glass for marking and engraving

  • Soda-lime is the most used type. Used for windows, glasses in home use and cheaper flat glass. Can be marked or engraved well.
  • Borosilicate is a very chemical and heat resistant. Is often used for laboratory or kitchen use. Brand names are  Pyrex, Schott DURAN, und Schott Borofloat 
  • Quarz is optically pure and has special uses in research and laboratory settings. Can be marked and engraved.
  • Aluminosilicate can be marked and has high strength.
  • Cutting of glass is not possible with our machines.
  • Round objects can not be marked. The engraving area has to be flat or only slightly curved.
More about Glass and Ceramic