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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. 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.

Glowforge Cut Settings:

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

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

0.23

5.9

115

0.23

5.9

110

0.23

5.9

110

0.25

6.3

110

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

0.23

5.9

115

0.24

6.3

110

0.24

6.3

105

0.24

6.3

115

0.24

6.3

115

0.25

6.5

110

0.24

6.3

110

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

160

0.14

3.7

160

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

1/8 Inch

0.12

3.1

170

1/4 Inch

0.23

6.0

130

1/8 Inch

0.10

2.6

135

1/4 Inch

0.20

5.1

170

1/8 Inch

0.13

3.4

155

1/4 Inch

0.24

6.3

100 Many Passes

1/8 Inch

0.12

3.1

160

1/4 Inch

0.23

6.0

110

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/4" Single Sided

0.28

7.2

115

1/8" Single Sided

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

1/8" Single Sided

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

1/8" Single Sided

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

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

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

COLORboard

0.13

3.3

170

GLITTERflex

0.02

350

All Other COLORflex

0.02

400

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

500

Thickness (in) Thickness (mm) GF Speed

0.10

2.6

140

Blush Punch, Artic Ice, Cracked Crystal, & Pistachio Mint

0.10

2.6

185

All Other Acrylics

0.10

2.6

160

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

Previous article Glowforge Preset Cut Settings

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