Laser Cutting Material Comparison
Wood, acrylic, leather, cardboard: which material to laser cut for your project?
Get a free quoteLaser cutting works with a wide variety of materials with sub-millimeter precision. But not all materials react the same way to a laser. This guide compares the four most common materials in CO2 laser cutting.
Properties comparison
| Wood (MDF/Plywood) | PMMA (Acrylic) | Leather | Cardboard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max thickness (CO2 60W) | 12–15 mm | 15–20 mm | 3–5 mm | 2–3 mm |
| Cut quality | Good (dark edges) | Excellent (polished edges) | Good (clean edges) | Good (slightly charred edges) |
| Fire/burn risk | Moderate | Low | Moderate (odor) | High |
| Laser engraving | Excellent (contrast) | Excellent (frosted) | Good (marking) | Fair |
| Cutting odors | Moderate (wood) | Low | Strong (burnt leather) | Moderate |
| Post-processing | Sanding, varnish | None (polished edges) | None | None or gluing |
| Material cost | € (affordable) | €€ (moderate) | €€€ (expensive) | € (very affordable) |
Detailed material sheets
Wood (MDF, plywood, solid wood)
The most popular material in laser cutting. MDF offers uniform cuts, plywood is more durable, and solid wood brings a unique natural appearance.
Advantages
- Natural and warm material
- Engraving with excellent contrast (light wood → dark engraving)
- Affordable, especially MDF and plywood
- Wide variety of thicknesses and species available
Disadvantages
- Dark/charred cut edges (burn marks)
- MDF contains glues that emit fumes
- Thickness limited by laser power
- Moisture sensitive (swelling)
Typical use cases
- Architectural models and prototyping
- Signage and decorative lettering
- Custom packaging and gift boxes
- Puzzles, toys and decorative objects
PMMA / Acrylic (Plexiglas)
Acrylic is the star material of laser cutting. It offers polished, transparent cut edges with no post-processing needed. Available in transparent, opaque and all colors.
Advantages
- Polished and glossy cut edges (flame effect)
- Transparent, translucent or opaque options
- No post-processing required
- Frosted engraving effect, very aesthetic
Disadvantages
- More expensive than wood
- Brittle on impact (chips)
- PMMA fumes are irritating (good ventilation required)
- Cast PMMA cuts better than extruded
Typical use cases
- Illuminated signs and displays
- Transparent windows and guards
- Jewelry and fashion accessories
- Lettering and wall decorations
Leather (natural and synthetic)
Laser enables cutting and engraving leather with precision impossible to achieve manually. Complex patterns, fine perforations and logo engraving are key strengths.
Advantages
- Clean cuts without fraying
- Very detailed pattern and logo engraving
- Complex perforation patterns
- Natural leather seals its edges when cut
Disadvantages
- Strong odors when cutting (especially natural leather)
- Synthetic leather (PVC) is FORBIDDEN (toxic HCl gas)
- Limited thickness (3–5 mm max)
- Burn marks on light-colored leather
Typical use cases
- Leather goods and accessories
- Custom patches and badges
- Bracelets and fashion accessories
- Pattern prototyping and template making
Cardboard (corrugated and compact)
Ideal for rapid packaging prototyping and models. Cardboard cuts very quickly with laser and allows you to validate shapes before moving to production.
Advantages
- Very fast cutting (thin material)
- Extremely affordable
- Perfect for validating designs before production
- Foldable and assemblable without glue
Disadvantages
- Limited thickness (2–3 mm max)
- Fire risk (monitoring required)
- Slightly charred edges
- Not durable (ephemeral use)
Typical use cases
- Packaging and box prototyping
- Architectural models and mockups
- Custom invitations and cards
- Cutting templates and patterns
How to choose?
A packaging prototype or quick mockup → Cardboard
Transparent parts or signage → PMMA (Acrylic)
Decorative objects or signage → Wood (MDF or plywood)
Leather goods or accessories → Natural leather