What Power and Speed Settings Should I Use for Different Materials
A Beginner’s Guide to Laser Engraving and Cutting Settings
Getting the right results from your home laser depends heavily on your power and speed settings. Use too much power and you burn or warp the material. Too fast, and you barely leave a mark. This guide explains the basics and provides sample settings to get you started.
Understanding Power, Speed & Passes
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Power (%) | The intensity of your laser’s output. Higher power = deeper burn or cut. |
| Speed (mm/s or mm/min) | How fast the laser moves. Faster = lighter burn; slower = deeper. |
| Passes | How many times the laser repeats over the same line. More passes = deeper cut. |
General Rule of Thumb
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Engraving:
Use high speed, low-to-medium power.
(You want to mark the surface without burning through.) -
Cutting:
Use low speed, high power.
(You want to cut through completely, not just mark it.)
Sample Starting Settings (Diode Lasers, ~5-10W)
| Material | Function | Power (%) | Speed (mm/min) | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm Basswood | Cut | 100 | 300–600 | 2–4 | Use air assist for cleaner cuts |
| Engrave | 20–40 | 2000–3000 | 1 | Increase power for deeper shading | |
| Cast Acrylic | Cut | 100 | 200–400 | 4–6 | Use masking to reduce residue |
| Engrave | 30–50 | 1500–2500 | 1 | Produces a frosty effect | |
| Cardboard | Cut | 90–100 | 600–1000 | 1–2 | Highly flammable—monitor closely |
| Engrave | 15–25 | 2500–3500 | 1 | Good for prototyping | |
| Leather (Veg-Tan) | Cut | 100 | 500–800 | 2–3 | Use air assist to prevent charring |
| Engrave | 30–60 | 1500–2500 | 1 | Ventilate well due to smell | |
| Fabric (Cotton) | Cut | 100 | 800–1200 | 1–2 | Lower power for thin fabrics |
| Engrave | 20–40 | 2000–3000 | 1 | Use scrap fabric for testing | |
| Anodized Aluminum | Engrave | 100 | 3000–6000 | 1 | Only marks surface; no cutting |
⚠️ These are starting points. Always run test grids on a scrap piece of material to fine-tune your settings.
Tips for Success
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Use test cards: Many laser software programs or online forums offer test files that engrave a grid of power and speed combinations. Craft Closet offers some free test cut files to download and try. You can find them here.
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Keep your lens clean: Dirty optics reduce power and create inconsistent results.
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Adjust focus carefully: Proper focusing is key to clean, sharp burns.
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Log your results: Keep a material log with your best settings so you don’t have to guess next time.
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Check the back: For cuts, make sure the laser goes all the way through cleanly without scorching the underside.
Summary
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Start with high power + low speed for cutting, low power + high speed for engraving.
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Use test grids to dial in settings for each material.
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Settings vary by laser wattage, material thickness, and even humidity—testing is key.
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Never leave your laser unattended, especially when cutting flammable materials.
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