Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic is one of the most versatile laser-cutting materials available. It produces clean, polished edges with a natural gloss finish that requires no post-processing for most display applications. Available in thicknesses from 2mm to 20mm and in clear, colored, mirrored, and frosted variants.
CO₂ lasers cut acrylic cleanly without chipping. The cut edge has a slight melt that polishes the edge naturally. For structural applications, avoid designs with narrow slots or sharp internal corners; the material is brittle and these are stress concentration points.
- Typical kerf width: 0.2–0.3mm (account for this in tight-fitting assemblies)
- Available colors: Clear, White, Black, Red, Blue, Green, Mirrored Gold/Silver, Frosted
- Minimum feature size: 1mm for reliable cutting
- Best for: Signage, display stands, LED diffusers, product mock-ups, awards, stencils
MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard)
MDF is the go-to material for architectural models, interior design elements, and laser-cut panels. It's dimensionally stable, cuts cleanly, and takes paint and primer extremely well. The charred edge from laser cutting can be sanded and primed for a clean finish, or left as-is for a natural look.
MDF generates significant smoke during cutting. Our production partners use well-ventilated setups with exhaust filtration, but be aware of this if you're considering handling freshly cut pieces indoors.
- Available thicknesses: 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm
- Typical kerf width: 0.2–0.4mm depending on thickness
- Best for: Architectural scale models, furniture templates, decorative panels, laser engraving
- Surface finish: Sands well; prime before painting to prevent grain raising
Plywood
Plywood offers more structural strength than MDF at the same thickness, with a natural grain appearance on the face veneer. It's ideal for furniture components, structural flat-pack assemblies, and products where a wood aesthetic is desired.
Plywood cut quality varies with veneer species and glue composition. Birch plywood cuts cleanest. Avoid structural plywood from hardware stores; use laser-grade birch ply for consistent results.
- Available thicknesses: 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 12mm (birch ply)
- Note: Layers may separate if glue content is high; use laser-grade material
- Best for: Furniture, flat-pack products, speaker enclosures, decorative boxes
Aluminum & Steel (CNC Routing)
Metal cutting is handled by our CNC routing partners rather than CO₂ lasers. CNC routing produces clean edges in aluminum and mild steel up to 6mm thick. For thicker metal or fiber laser cutting, contact us for a custom quote.
Aluminum cuts faster and produces a clean finish. Mild steel takes longer and may show slight burring on edges that can be easily filed smooth. Stainless steel is available at higher pricing.
- Aluminum: Excellent machinability, ideal for structural brackets and panels
- Mild steel: Strong and cost-effective for brackets, jigs, and fixtures
- Minimum feature size: 2mm slots, 3mm holes for most thicknesses
- Surface finish: Deburring included; anodizing, powder coating available on request
Choosing the Right Material
For visual and display applications, acrylic is almost always the right choice. For architectural models and structural-looking assemblies at lower cost, MDF is excellent. When you need real structural strength from a flat-cut part, plywood or aluminum wins.
Tip: Unsure which material fits your project? Submit your design through our consultation service, and we'll advise on material, thickness, and any DFM adjustments before you commit to a production run.
File Preparation for Laser & CNC
Submit DXF or SVG files for 2D cutting jobs. All cut lines must be vector paths, not rasterized images. For engraving, high-contrast bitmap images work alongside vector paths. For CNC routing, submit STEP or IGES files for 3D operations.
Set your line colors to indicate cut type: one color for cut-through, another for engraving, a third for score lines. Include your material type and thickness in the file name, as it helps our team process your order faster.