Laser Material Guide
Which laser works on which material? Search or tap any combination to see what actually happens in your shop — and why the physics makes it so.
Material
Diode
450nm
CO₂
10.6µm
Fiber
1064nm
UV
355nm
Woods
Dark Woodwalnut, mahogany
Light Woodpine, birch, maple
MDFmedium-density fiberboard
Bamboocutting boards, laminated
Plywoodbaltic birch, basswood
Plastics & Acrylics
Clear Acrylic3mm PMMA
Colored Acryliccast/dyed
PolycarbonateLexan — looks like acrylic, isn't
Delrin / POMacetal — gears, mechanical parts
PETGclear sheet
PolypropylenePP sheet, living hinges
Bare Metals
Stainless Steel1mm sheet
Brassplates, jewelry stock
Coppersheet, jewelry stock
Bare Aluminummill finish sheet
Gold & Silverjewelry, rings, pendants
Coated Metals
Anodized Aluminum1mm sheet
Powder-Coated Metaltumblers, signs
CerMark Coatedmarking spray on bare metal
Leather & Organics
Leatherveg-tanned
PU / Faux Leathervegan leather — verify not PVC!
Corksheet, coaster stock
Fabrics
Feltwool or synthetic
Cotton & Canvastotes, patches, linen
Synthetic Fabricpolyester, nylon
Denimjeans, jackets
Rubber & Foam
Stamp Rubberlaserable rubber sheet
EVA Foamcosplay foam, 2-10mm
Siliconegaskets, bands, mats
Glass & Ceramic
Glassclear soda-lime
Ceramic Tileglazed, Norton method
Stone
Slatecoasters, signs
Granitepolished, memorial/photo
Paper & Cardboard
Papercardstock, invitations
Cardboardcorrugated
Composites
Carbon FiberCFRP sheet — conductive dust!
Never Laser
PVC / Vinylany type
ABSany type
ExcellentGoodModeratePoorNever
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Pick a combination
Tap any cell in the chart to see what happens in your shop — and the physics behind it.
Go one level deeper
"Works on aluminum" can mean five different marks. See the computed verdicts per mark type, and the settings that reach each outcome.
