Laser Engraving Settings Guide: Speed, Power & Frequency for Every Material

Why Settings Make or Break Your Laser Results

The same design can look stunning or completely ruined depending on your laser settings. Speed, power, and frequency interact differently across materials — and there’s no universal setting that works for everything. This guide gives you a reliable starting point for the most common materials.

The Three Core Settings

  • Power (%) — How much energy the laser outputs. Higher power = deeper engraving or faster cutting, but too high burns or chars the material.
  • Speed (mm/s) — How fast the laser head moves. Slower = more energy delivered per area = deeper marks. Faster = lighter marks.
  • Frequency / LPI (Lines Per Inch) — How many lines the laser engraves per inch. Higher LPI = more detail, longer time. Lower LPI = faster, more textured look.

Settings by Material

Wood (Basswood, Plywood, MDF)

Wood is the most forgiving material for beginners. Grain direction and density affect results.

Operation Power Speed Notes
Engraving 30–60% 300–500 mm/s Start at 40% power, adjust for depth
Cutting (3mm) 70–90% 10–20 mm/s Multiple passes for cleaner edges

Acrylic

Cast acrylic engraves beautifully with a frosted finish. Extruded acrylic cuts better but engraves less cleanly.

Operation Power Speed Notes
Engraving 20–40% 300–400 mm/s Use cast acrylic for best results
Cutting (3mm) 60–80% 8–15 mm/s Remove protective film before cutting

Leather

Genuine leather engraves with a rich, dark contrast. Avoid PU/faux leather — it releases toxic fumes.

Operation Power Speed Notes
Engraving 25–45% 200–350 mm/s Test on scrap first — thickness varies
Cutting 50–70% 15–25 mm/s Only genuine leather — never PU

Glass

Glass engraving requires lower power to avoid cracking. Use a damp paper towel over the surface to reduce chipping.

Operation Power Speed Notes
Engraving 15–30% 300–500 mm/s Wet paper towel trick for cleaner results

Metal (with Fiber Laser or Marking Spray)

CO2 lasers can mark metal using cermark/laser marking spray. Fiber lasers engrave metal directly.

Operation Power Speed Notes
Marking (CO2 + spray) 60–80% 100–200 mm/s Apply thin, even coat of marking spray
Engraving (fiber) 50–70% 500–1000 mm/s Settings vary widely by fiber laser model

Pro Tips for Better Results

  • Always test on scrap first — run a power/speed grid test before committing to your final piece
  • Focus is critical — even 1mm out of focus significantly reduces quality
  • Clean your lens regularly — a dirty lens reduces power and causes uneven results
  • Use air assist — blows smoke away from the cut line for cleaner edges and protects the lens

Start With the Right Design Files

Even perfect settings can’t save a poorly prepared design file. Our 1,000,000+ Laser Engraving Bundle includes SVG, DXF, AI, and EPS files — all optimized for laser cutters and engravers, fully compatible with LightBurn, CorelDRAW, and Adobe Illustrator.

👉 Get 1,000,000+ laser-ready design files — instant download.

Powrót do blogu