For laser cutters
Laser cutting materials for models
Every lab keeps its own list of what it allows. Paperboard and thin wood are usually on it. Foam core is often banned.
Taskboard® is a white fiber board that cuts faster. Its edge is light brown, not black, and it sands clean.
Why people cut Taskboard on a laser
- It cuts faster.
- The edge is light brown, not black, and it sands clean.
- It stays flat.
What school labs allow
Harvard GSD’s fab lab lists chipboard and museum board as approved, and foam core as a material not to cut (opens in a new tab). It also lists MDF and plywood thicker than 1/8" as materials not to cut.
Penn Design’s fab lab lists matte board as suitable and foam core, polystyrene and corrugated cardboard as banned (opens in a new tab).
The USF XARTS material guide (opens in a new tab) says Taskboard, chipboard, museum board and basswood can all be laser cut.
Compare the sheets
Museum board, chipboard, basswood and foam core each have a page with the details.
Finding your settings
Every laser is different. Cut a row of small circles, each with its setting etched beside it, and use the first circle that cuts fully through.
See the circle test for how to run it.
What you can usually cut
Paper and board, thin wood and some plastics. Harvard GSD’s approved list reads chipboard, museum board, bristol board, mat board and paper; natural wood and veneer under 1/8"; plywood under 1/8"; cotton, leather, wool felt and cork; acrylic under 1/4"; and PETG (opens in a new tab). Illinois’s DigiFab shop approves acrylic, basswood, chipboard, cork and museum board (opens in a new tab).
What not to cut
Harvard GSD’s do-not-cut list includes glass, metal, foam core, PVC, HDPE, ABS, vinyl, reflective materials, MDF, masonite and plywood over 1/8". Glowforge says vinyl, PVC, ABS and HDPE can melt or release toxic or corrosive fumes (opens in a new tab). xTool says “Do not engrave or cut any material that contains PVC or vinyl.” (opens in a new tab)
Corrugated cardboard is its own case. Glowforge says cardboard and paper are extremely prone to catching fire (opens in a new tab), and Penn Design bans corrugated. See laser cut cardboard.
Before the first cut
Know exactly what the material is. Glowforge warns that materials may have contaminants, coatings or additives (opens in a new tab) that are not laser-compatible, and the University of Melbourne’s fab lab requires outside materials to be verified safe (opens in a new tab). Then test. xTool says its settings are starting points (opens in a new tab), and Harvard GSD asks for a test cut (opens in a new tab).
Never leave the machine alone. The xTool guide says do not leave it unattended (opens in a new tab), and Georgetown’s MakerHub checklist says never to leave the laser cutter unattended (opens in a new tab).
Exhaust, air assist and fire
Run the exhaust to the outside or through a fume purifier. xTool says not to operate the machine before connecting a smoke purifier (opens in a new tab). MIT’s EHS guidance says air assist can help prevent flare-ups and charring (opens in a new tab), and also says never to leave a running laser cutter unattended. Keep paper and offcuts away from the machine.
Cleaner edges
Mask the face with tape before cutting and remove the tape after, as xTool advises. For stubborn marks, xTool suggests soap and denatured alcohol (opens in a new tab). Taskboard’s edge is light brown, not black, and it sands clean, so there is less to clean.
Diode and CO2 lasers
The machine matters as much as the material. xTool says clear acrylic needs a CO2 laser (opens in a new tab), because a blue diode beam passes through it. Neither type makes PVC or an unknown material safe. Check your machine maker’s material list.
Which sheet
Thin parts and skins: 1/32" white
Cuts with scissors too.
Walls and panels: 1/16" white
Stiffer than the 1/32" sheet, lighter than the 1/8" sheet.
Parts that need stiffness: 1/8" white
The stiffest sheet. Non-forming.
Our online store starts at $79. Need less? See where to buy. Need the numbers? See the spec sheet.
Quick answers
What materials do school labs allow on a laser?
It varies by lab. Harvard GSD approves chipboard and museum board. Penn Design lists matte board as suitable. Both ban foam core.
Does Taskboard scorch?
Its laser edge is light brown, not black, and it sands clean.
Do you publish laser settings?
No. Lens cleanliness, CO2 tube age and many other factors change the result, so a printed number can be wrong on your machine. A row of small test circles gives you the right one.
What materials can I laser cut?
It depends on the lab and the machine. Harvard GSD approves chipboard, museum board, mat board, paper, thin wood and plywood, cork, leather, felt, thin acrylic and PETG. Illinois approves acrylic, basswood, chipboard, cork and museum board.
What materials are unsafe to laser cut?
PVC, vinyl, ABS and HDPE, for a start. Glowforge says they can melt or release toxic or corrosive fumes, and xTool says never to cut anything that contains PVC or vinyl. Harvard GSD also bans foam core, MDF, glass and metal.
How do I know a material is laser safe?
Find its exact composition, including coatings and adhesives, and check your lab’s or machine maker’s list. Glowforge warns that materials may carry coatings or additives that are not laser-compatible. When in doubt, ask the lab.
Do I need ventilation?
Yes. Run the exhaust outside or through a fume purifier. xTool says not to operate the machine before connecting a smoke purifier.
Does air assist make a material safe?
It helps, but stay with the machine. MIT’s EHS guidance says air assist can help prevent flare-ups and charring, and also says never to leave a running laser cutter unattended.
How do I reduce burn marks?
Mask the face with tape and remove it after cutting, as xTool advises. xTool also suggests soap and denatured alcohol for burnt areas. Taskboard’s edge is light brown, not black, and it sands clean.
Can a diode laser cut everything a CO2 laser can?
No. xTool says clear acrylic needs a CO2 laser. Check your machine maker’s material list.
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