Skip to content

Recommended 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

140

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

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

We have found that most stones and gems engrave at 500/full, 270 LPI with the focus set on the stone. In the case of the 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

To cut all the way through use: 170 Speed/Full Power

For engraving see our tests below to pick the best option for you:

For more information check out our blog Cutting the Rubber Stamp Sheet

Engrave Settings

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

0.1

2.6

300

50

0.05

1.3

300

50

These cut settings come from us testing on our Glowforge Aura which uses an inline fan and is vented out the window. If you are using the Glowforge filter you may need to add another pass to these settings.

Acrylics

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

5

10

4

1/8"

5

10

4

1/8"

5

10

4

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

10

10

3

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

5

10

3

1/8"

7

10

3

1/8"

5

10

3

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

10

10

3

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

5

10

3

1/8"

13

10

2

1/8"

13

10

2

1/8"

13

10

2

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

5

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

7

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

7

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

1/16"

13

10

2

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

10 or 13

10

3

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

5

10

3

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

10

10

4

1/8"

13

10

3

Wood

Size Speed Power Passes

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

Light & Dark MDF

1/8"

10

10

3

1/8"

15

10

2

1/16"

15

10

1

1/8"

15

10

2

1/4"

40

10

2

1/8"

60

10

2

Manual

50

10

2

COLOR Collection

Size Speed Power Passes

COLORboard Expressions with Black Acrylic Core

1/8"

13

10

3

1/8"

10

10

3

COLORboard Expressions Faux Leather Core

0.03"

50

10

2

1/16"

15

10

2

COLORboard Expressions Chipboard Core

0.022

35

10

1

0.02"

50

10

2 Clear Masking Left On

1/8"

10

10

3 Clear Masking Left On

COLORboard Effects Basswood Core

1/16"

18

10

2 Clear Masking Left On

0.02"

50

10

2

COLORlite Naturals Basswood Core

1/16"

15

10

2

Other

Size Speed Power Passes

0.01"

35

10

3

0.03"

35

10

1

0.03"

50

10

2

Manual

50

10

5

Previous article Creating Boxes!