Skip to content
Glowforge CO2 Laser Cut Settings

Glowforge CO2 Laser Cut Settings

You can select a Glowforge material close to what you are cutting, but that may or may not work. Or it may be a slower speed than you really need and so causes unnecessary amount of scorching. So it is best to use our recommended settings. If the test cut does not cut, slow the speed by 5 or 10 and recut. Alternatively it may be that you need to clean mirrors or check confirm you Focus Height. If you ever have trouble cutting at these settings, please alert us so we can test it further. We want these to be up to date for all users.

*We have provided an Ideal GF Speed and a GF Speed Range under the 1/4 Single Sided Wood and the Melamine tab. If the ideal speed does not work, try running a few small tests with the range to find the right speed for you.

All cuts are with Full Power (unless specified otherwise), Single Pass. Focus Height is Thickness (in) and GF Speed custom printer head speed

Acrylic

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.12

2.6

130

0.12

2.6

140

0.12

2.6

150

0.12

2.6

155

0.12

2.6

160

1/16" Acrylics

0.08

225

0.24

6.1

110-115

MDF Core Wood

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.23

5.9

115

0.23

5.9

110

0.23

5.9

110

0.23

5.9

115

0.22

5.7

110

0.24

6.1

105

0.23

5.9

115

0.23

5.9

115

0.24

6.1

105

0.22

5.7

110

0.24

6.1

105

0.23

5.9

120

0.24

6.1

110

0.22

5.7

115

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.19

4.9

135

0.19

4.9

125

0.18

4.7

110

0.19

4.9

120

0.22

5.7

110

0.19

4.9

130

0.20

5.1

120

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.12

3.1

170

0.14

3.7

170

0.12

3.1

170

0.13

3.4

170

0.13

3.4

170

0.12

3.1

170

0.14

3.7

150

0.13

3.4

165

0.12

3.1

170

0.13

3.4

145

0.14

3.7

160

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) Ideal GF Speed GF Speed Range*

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

115-125

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.18

4.6

150

0.19

4.7

140

0.18

4.6

150

0.18

4.6

155

0.18

4.6

150

1/8 Solid Wood

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.13

3.2

230

0.13

3.2

190

0.13

3.2

220

0.13

3.2

230

0.13

3.2

230

0.13

3.2

190

0.13

3.2

210

0.13

3.2

115

0.13

3.2

135

0.13

3.2

160

0.13

3.2

140

0.13

3.2

140

0.13

3.2

200

0.13

3.2

200

Ply & MDF Wood

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.12

3.1

170

0.23

6.0

130

0.10

2.6

170

0.20

5.1

135

0.13

3.4

155

0.24

6.3

100 Many Passes

0.12

3.1

160

0.23

6.0

110

0.25

6.3

185

0.1

2.6

260

0.05

1.3

400

0.20

5.1

130

0.10

2.6

170

0.25

6.3

170

0.11

200

Cardboard & Chipboard

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.15

4.0

400

0.25

6.4

200

0.15

4.0

400

0.03

0.76

500

0.022

0.56

500

COLOR Collection

Thickness (in) GF Speed Power

0.13

170

COLORboard Effect Flex Core (glitters)

0.02

350

0.02

400

COLORboard Effects Basswood Core

0.067

400

0.067

300

0.03

500

30

0.03

500

40

0.12

160

0.12

170

0.05 (1/16")

400

0.1 (1/8")

260

0.02

400

COLORboard Expressions Chipboard Core

0.022

500

Veneers

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

All wood veneers with or without 3M backing

0.03

0.8

500

All shell veneers with or without 3M backing

0.01

0.3

250

Other Materials

Engrave at 500/full, 270 LPI with the focus set on the stone.
Glass Stones: Coat the stone with a thin layer of liquid dish
soap before engraving and engrave while the soap is still wet.
This helps the stone engrave smoothly and without chips

Settings:

  • Focus: 0.03
  • Cut: 400/100
  • Engrave: 1000/50
  • Score: 500/60

Dark Settings:

  • Focus: 0.09
  • Engrave: 250 Full Powder, 270 LPI
  • Cut: 160 Full Power

Light Settings:

  • Focus: 0.09
  • Engrave: 200 80% Powder, 270 LPI
  • Cut: 140 Full Power

Settings:

  • Cut: 515 Speed, Full Power
  • Engrave1000 Speed, 30 Power, 170 LPI

Engrave Settings

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed GF Power

0.1

2.6

300

50

0.05

1.3

300

50

Next article Manual settings on the Glowforge Dashboard