CO2 Laser Materials List: What Can You Cut & Engrave?
The true excitement of owning a CO2 laser cutter begins when you realise just how versatile these laser systems are. While the technology itself is impressive, it’s the sheer breadth of materials you can process, from delicate fabrics to robust hardwoods, that turns a simple machine into a limitless creative workshop.
Below, we have compiled a list of the most popular materials compatible with our CO2 laser cutters, along with common applications for each to help inspire your next project.
Understanding CO2 Laser Material Compatibility
One of the most common questions we receive is: 'What can I actually make with this machine?'
Primarily, CO2 lasers are designed to process organic materials (such as wood, paper, leather, and stone) and acrylics. While they aren't designed to cut solid metal, they are surprisingly versatile with metallic products. You can etch away anodised coatings to reveal the contrasting base metal underneath—ideal for personalising reusable water bottles and ID tags.
For bare metals like stainless steel and brass, simply apply a coat of ceramic marking spray before processing. The laser fuses the compound to the surface, creating a permanent, high-contrast black finish perfect for outdoor signage, plaques, and awards.
If you have a specific material in mind that isn’t listed here, please don't hesitate to contact our technical team for advice.
| MATERIALS | CUT | ENGRAVE |
|---|---|---|
| Wood & Timber | ||
| Birch / Poplar Plywood (Laser Grade) | ✅ | ✅ |
| MDF / LDF / Hardboard | ✅ | ✅ |
| Solid Woods (Maple, Cherry, Oak, Walnut) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Basswood (Architectural Models) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bamboo (Solid & Ply) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Balsa Wood | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wood Veneers (Adhesive backed) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cork | ✅ | ✅ |
| Plastics & Acrylics | ||
| Cast Acrylic (Best for white engraving) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Extruded Acrylic (Best for flame polished edge) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delrin (Acetal) - Seals & Gears | ✅ | ✅ |
| ABS (Requires ventilation) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mylar / Polyester Film (Stencils) | ✅ | ✅ |
| PETG / Polypropylene | ✅ | ✅ |
| Two-Tone Laminates (Rowmark / Traffolyte) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Kapton Tape (Polyimide) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Textiles & Leather | ||
| Natural Leather (Veg Tanned) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Suede | ✅ | ✅ |
| Synthetic / PU Leather (Laser Safe only) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cotton / Hemp / Linen | ✅ | ✅ |
| Denim | ✅ | ✅ |
| Felt (Wool & Synthetic) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Polyester / Nylon (Seals edges when cut) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fleece | ✅ | ✅ |
| Silk | ✅ | ✅ |
| Velvet | ✅ | ✅ |
| Paper & Card | ||
| Cardboard (Corrugated) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mat Board (Picture framing) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cardstock / Heavy Paper | ✅ | ✅ |
| Greyboard / Chipboard | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vellum | ✅ | ✅ |
| Washi Paper | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rubber & Foam | ||
| Laser Rubber (Stamp making) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Silicone Sheets | ✅ | ✅ |
| EVA Foam | ✅ | ✅ |
| Plastazote (Tool shadowing) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Neoprene | ✅ | ✅ |
| Glass, Stone & Ceramics | ||
| Glass (Bottles, Glasses, Sheet) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mirror (Engrave reverse side) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Slate (Coasters) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Granite / Marble | ❌ | ✅ |
| River Rock / Basalt / Pebbles | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ceramic Tiles | ❌ | ✅ |
| Brick | ❌ | ✅ |
| Agate | ❌ | ✅ |
| Metals (Marking Only) | ||
| Anodized Aluminium (Engraves White) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Painted / Powder-coated Brass or Steel | ❌ | ✅ |
| Stainless Steel (Requires Marking Spray) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bare Brass / Copper (Requires Marking Spray) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Titanium (Requires Marking Spray) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Miscellaneous & Organics | ||
| Corian / Avonite (Countertop samples) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mother of Pearl / Shell (Inlays) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bone / Antler | ❌ | ✅ |
| Food (Chocolate, Toast, Nori) | ✅ | ✅ |
One Machine, Endless Possibilities
The list of materials compatible with a CO2 laser is extensive. Whether you are looking to create intricate wedding invites from cardstock, engraving bespoke signage on slate, or prototyping with acrylic, the only real limit is your imagination.
At Focused Laser Systems, our CO2 lasers are designed to handle a wide variety of applications, and we’re always happy to run a test cut or engraving on your sample material or product to ensure the results meet your exact standards before you commit.
Ready to get started? Explore our full range of machines today or reach out to our support team to discuss your specific material needs.
Common FAQ’s About CO2 Laser Materials
Can a CO2 laser cutter cut metal?
Generally, no. Standard CO2 laser systems are designed to process non-metallic (organic) materials. The 10.6-micron wavelength of a CO2 laser is largely reflected by bare metals rather than absorbed. To cut through metals such as steel or aluminium, a Fibre Laser is required.
However, you can successfully mark metals by:
Removing coatings: Vaporising the surface layer of anodised aluminium to reveal the contrasting base metal underneath.
Ceramic Bonding: Apply a coat of ceramic marking spray (such as Cermark or LaserBond) before processing to thermally fuse your design to stainless steel, brass, or chrome.
What materials should I never put in a laser cutter?
Safety is critical. You must strictly avoid any materials containing Chlorine or Fluorine, such as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Vinyl, or certain artificial leathers (Pleather).
When processed, these materials release chlorine gas, which reacts with moisture in the air to form hydrochloric acid. This gas is highly toxic to humans and will rapidly corrode the metal components, rails, and optics of your machine. Other materials to avoid include PTFE (Teflon), which releases toxic fumes, and Polycarbonate, which catches fire easily and produces heavy soot.
Why can I engrave glass but not cut it?
Glass has a very low thermal conductivity and a high thermal expansion coefficient. When the CO2 beam hits the surface, the intense, localised heat causes micro-fractures, creating the beautiful "frosted" effect known as engraving.
However, because glass does not conduct that heat away quickly, attempting to cut through it creates extreme thermal stress. This results in the glass shattering or cracking unpredictably rather than producing a clean edge. While industrial lasers can cut glass with specialised cooling and high-power setups, this is not viable with standard CO2 machines.
How thick can a CO2 laser cut?
The maximum cutting depth is primarily determined by three factors: the wattage of your laser tube, the focal length of your lens, and the material's density.
60W Systems: Typically cuts up to 6mm–8mm of acrylic or softwoods in a single pass.
120W+ Systems: Can tackle 20mm acrylic or 15mm–18mm hardwoods with a clean finish.
While you can technically cut thicker materials by slowing the speed or increasing the passes, the edge quality usually degrades, resulting in more "charring" on wood or a jagged edge on acrylic.
