Recommended Cut Settings

Glowforge 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. These have worked well with our Glowforge Basic. As part of our Product Details page you will see our test cuts. This is a series of circles or squares all cut at full power and various speeds. We still recommend a small test cut be done in a corner before cutting a large print. 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, Single Pass. Focus Height is Thickness (in) and GF Speed custom printer head speed

1/4 Single Sided Wood

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

0.19

4.8

130

125-135

0.19

4.8

130

125-135

0.19

4.8

115

110-120

0.19

4.8

125

120-130

0.19

4.8

130

125-135

0.19

4.8

130

125-135

0.19

4.8

115

110-120

1/4 Double Sided Wood

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

0.23

5.9

115

105-115

0.23

5.9

130

125-135

0.24

5.9

120

115-120

0.23

5.9

115

110-120

0.23

5.7

115

110-120

0.23

6.1

115

110-120

0.24

5.9

120

115-125

0.24

5.9

120

115-125

0.24

6.1

120

120-130

0.23

5.7

125

120-130

0.24

6.1

115

115

0.24

5.9

125

120-130

0.25

6.1

115

110-115

0.23

5.7

115

115

0.23

5.7

140

130-145

Melamine

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

1/8 Double Sided Wood

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

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

200

0.13

3.2

200

0.13

3.2

140

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

0.22

5.6

120

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

0.25

6.3

185

Exotic Wood

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.28

7.2

115

0.19

4.7

140

0.28

7.2

115

0.18

4.6

155

0.18

4.6

150

0.18

4.6

150

0.18

4.6

150

Cardboard & Mat Board

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

0.05

1.3

435

0.05

1.3

240

All Other Mat Boards

0.05

1.3

480

COLORboard & COLORflex

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

COLORboard

0.13

3.3

170

GLITTERflex

0.02

350

All Other COLORflex

0.02

400

COLORlite Naturals

0.067

300

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

Acrylic

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.12

2.6

140

Glitter & Glitz

0.12

2.6

140

Bronze on Bronze, Sequin Gold Glitter & California Gold Rush Glitter

0.12

2.6

150

Mirror Acrylics

0.12

2.6

155

All Other 1/8" Acrylics

0.12

2.6

160

1/16" Acrylics

0.08

225

0.24

6.1

110-115

Other Materials

Stones & Gems

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

Stones & Gems

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


Glowforge Aura Cut Settings:

Acrylics

Size Speed Power Passes

Cherry

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

Jet Black

1/8"

13

10

3 with Masking

Shamrock

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

Clementine

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

Lemon

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

Raspberry

1/8"

5

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

5

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

5

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

3 with Masking

1/8"

13

10

3 with Masking

1/16"

13

7.5

1 with Masking

1/8"

10

10

4 with Masking

COLORboard Expressions with Black Acrylic Core

1/8"

13

10

3 with Masking

Wood

Size Speed Power Passes

All 1/8" Wood Manufactured Core

1/8"

10

10

3

Colored MDF

1/8"

15

10

2

1/8"

15

10

2

1/8"

15

10

2

1/4"

40

10

2

1/8"

60

10

2

1/8"

15

10

2

COLORboard

Size Speed Power Passes

COLORboard Expressions with Black Acrylic Core

1/8"

13

10

3 with Masking

COLORboard Expressions MDF Core

1/8"

15

10

2

COLORboard Expressions Faux Leather Core

0.03"

50

10

2

COLORboard Expressions Basswood Core

1/16"

30

10

2

COLORboard Effects Basswood Core

1/16"

20

10

2 Clear Masking Left On

COLORboard Effect Flex Core

0.02"

50

10

2 Clear Masking Left On

COLORboard Effect MDF Core

1/8"

10

10

3 Clear Masking Left On

COLORvinyl HTV

0.02"

50

10

2

Other

Size Speed Power Passes

Shell Veneer with 3M Sheet

0.01"

35

10

3

Chipboard

0.03"

35

10

1