Laser cutting provides precise, accurate cuts in sheet materials. Laser etching adds crisp text and images to the surface, and 3D etching provides the look of carved relief. Our Glowforge laser cutter can cut and etch a variety of materials, from regular printer paper to hardwood and stone. The laser can mark metal but at this time we do not have the capability to cut metal. We recommend color anodized aluminum as this is easy to mark and no additional processing is required.
Laser cut parts may have a dark brown or black edge on all cut and etched surfaces where the material has been vaporized by the laser. On some materials this is permanent while on others it can be removed. Laser cuts have a kerf width where the material is removed. This means that your outside dimensions will be smaller than you design. If this is critical you will need to take the kerf into account. Please let us know in your project description if your project is kerf sensitive.
File Preparation
Laser projects consist of a file that tells the laser what to cut, score, and etch. Cuts and scores are best provided in vector format like SVG, while etching is currently only available for raster files like BMP. Each different operation needs to be in a different color in your file so that the software can create the laser paths and instructions correctly. PDF files can combine vector and raster files into a single file and can be processed by the Glowforge software.
Pricing
Pricing for the laser is $0.30/min for engraving and $1.00/min for cutting and scoring. If you are local and want to bring your own material you can arrange time on the laser for $30.00 per hour. Please, only two people per visit. Student discounts on laser time are available.
Available Materials
Click here for our current stock list: Laser Materials
Proofgrade: These materials are highly reliable and are designed for use with the Glowforge laser cutter. Some material is kept on hand; large orders or materials that are not on hand will take about a week for material delivery.
Other Sources and Materials
Inventables: Many of the materials sold at www.inventables.com can be lasered. Please contact us with any questions.
Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard can be cut and scored with the laser. Stacking the cut and oriented sheets can create some very unique projects.
Paper: The laser can both etch and cut all paper products that do not contain chlorine.
Stone: Marble, sandstone, travertine, etc. can all be etched with the laser. The result is usually lighter in color than the surface with a rough texture.
Ceramic tile: Most ceramic tile can be etched. The laser vaporizes the top surface glaze and exposes the unfinished ceramic underneath. This can be especially attractive when the etched portion is colored.
If you have a material that is not listed in our stock list, please let us know and we will investigate. If you can provide an MSDS for the material it will be very helpful to determine if it is suitable for use on the laser cutter. Products advertised as vinyl usually contain PVC and are assumed to be unsafe until proven otherwise.
Laser cut parts may have a dark brown or black edge on all cut and etched surfaces where the material has been vaporized by the laser. On some materials this is permanent while on others it can be removed. Laser cuts have a kerf width where the material is removed. This means that your outside dimensions will be smaller than you design. If this is critical you will need to take the kerf into account. Please let us know in your project description if your project is kerf sensitive.
File Preparation
Laser projects consist of a file that tells the laser what to cut, score, and etch. Cuts and scores are best provided in vector format like SVG, while etching is currently only available for raster files like BMP. Each different operation needs to be in a different color in your file so that the software can create the laser paths and instructions correctly. PDF files can combine vector and raster files into a single file and can be processed by the Glowforge software.
Pricing
Pricing for the laser is $0.30/min for engraving and $1.00/min for cutting and scoring. If you are local and want to bring your own material you can arrange time on the laser for $30.00 per hour. Please, only two people per visit. Student discounts on laser time are available.
Available Materials
Click here for our current stock list: Laser Materials
Proofgrade: These materials are highly reliable and are designed for use with the Glowforge laser cutter. Some material is kept on hand; large orders or materials that are not on hand will take about a week for material delivery.
- Hardwood - Walnut, cherry, red oak, basswood, poplar, and maple are all available for project parts up to 6 inches by 12 inches. All Proofgrade hardwood is 1/8 inch thick (0.125 inches +/- 0.010 inches) and is pre-finished on both faces.
- Plywood - Proofgrade plywood is an MDF core with pre-finished hardwood veneer on both faces in basswood, cherry, maple, and walnut varieties. It is available in approximately 1/8 inch thick and 3/16 inch thick versions in 12x20 inch sheets
- Acrylic - This plastic material cuts cleanly and easily on the laser and can be glued with solvent to form strong, rigid structures. It can also be edge-lit, which makes etching pop, creating a unique sign or plaque. It is available in 3.3 mm thickness and 5.8 mm thickness in clear, and 3.3 mm thick in clear, clear frosted, translucent fluorescent green and pink, and neon blue, and in opaque blue, purple, orange, green, red, teal, and yellow. Acrylic is also known as PMMA.
- Leather - This vegetable tanned leather is available in three thicknesses ranging from about 0.02 inches to about 0.090 inches. The color is natural, a creamy tan shade. Thick and medium are available up to 12x20 inches and thin up to 5x10 inches.
- Hardwood Veneer - Pre-finished and self-adhesive with 3M tape, this veneer makes excellent inlays and other decorative projects. It is about 0.002 inches thick not including the adhesive and is available in 12X20 sheets in cherry, maple, and walnut.
- Draftboard - Similar to MDF, this engineered wood material is very uniform and ideal for projects like 3D etching. It can be finished if needed. It is primarily used for testing designs as it matches the more expensive hardwood and plywood materials in thickness, but can also be used for final projects when appropriate.
Other Sources and Materials
Inventables: Many of the materials sold at www.inventables.com can be lasered. Please contact us with any questions.
Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard can be cut and scored with the laser. Stacking the cut and oriented sheets can create some very unique projects.
Paper: The laser can both etch and cut all paper products that do not contain chlorine.
Stone: Marble, sandstone, travertine, etc. can all be etched with the laser. The result is usually lighter in color than the surface with a rough texture.
Ceramic tile: Most ceramic tile can be etched. The laser vaporizes the top surface glaze and exposes the unfinished ceramic underneath. This can be especially attractive when the etched portion is colored.
If you have a material that is not listed in our stock list, please let us know and we will investigate. If you can provide an MSDS for the material it will be very helpful to determine if it is suitable for use on the laser cutter. Products advertised as vinyl usually contain PVC and are assumed to be unsafe until proven otherwise.