SVG
Scalable vector artwork. Often useful for laser design workflows. Physical size can depend on width/height units and application import behavior.
Laser Materials Database
Laser Materials Database
A practical guide to laser cutting and engraving materials. Learn how plywood, MDF, acrylic, wood, leather, cardboard, paper, veneer, cork and other materials behave under a laser.
Quick Laser Material Comparison
Use this table as a starting point. Actual laser results depend on laser type, wattage, optics, focus, air assist, material thickness, material composition and machine condition.
| Material | Cutting | Engraving | Main Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood | Good | Good | Glue and core quality |
| MDF | Good | Good | Smoke and edge discoloration |
| Acrylic | Excellent | Excellent | Plastic type matters |
| Solid Wood | Good | Excellent | Grain and resin variation |
| Leather | Good | Excellent | Material treatment |
| Cardboard | Excellent | Good | Fire risk |
| Paper | Excellent | Good | Very easy to overburn |
| Wood Veneer | Good | Excellent | Thin and heat sensitive |
| Cork | Good | Good | Smoke and texture variation |
Plywood
Plywood is one of the most commonly used materials for laser cutting. It is popular for signs, boxes, ornaments, furniture parts, templates and decorative projects.
- Cutting quality depends heavily on glue and core construction.
- Different plywood brands can behave very differently.
- Thin plywood is generally easier to cut than thick plywood.
- Edges may become darker depending on power, speed and air assist.
- Warped sheets can create inconsistent focus and cutting depth.
- Always test unfamiliar plywood before production.
MDF
MDF produces a relatively consistent surface and is popular for signs, letters, decorative panels, prototypes and laser-cut assemblies.
- MDF can generate substantial smoke while cutting.
- Edges often become darker than the top surface.
- Thickness consistency is important for slot-and-tab projects.
- Different MDF products can contain different binders.
- Use effective ventilation and air assist where appropriate.
- Test each material supplier before production.
Acrylic
Acrylic is widely used for signs, displays, letters, ornaments, light-up projects and decorative parts.
- Cast and extruded acrylic can produce different results.
- Clear acrylic can produce polished-looking edges.
- Protective film can affect engraving appearance.
- Material thickness affects cutting and focus.
- Do not assume settings from one acrylic brand work on another.
- Keep the work area clean and properly ventilated.
Safety: Only process plastics known to be suitable for laser processing. Never laser unknown plastic.
Solid Wood
Natural wood is excellent for engraving and can produce unique results because grain, resin and density vary across the material.
- Wood grain can change engraving darkness.
- Resin-rich areas may burn differently.
- Flatness is important for consistent focus.
- Different species require different testing.
- Light engraving and deep engraving can require different settings.
- Air assist can help manage smoke and heat during cutting.
Leather
Leather can produce excellent engraving and cutting results, especially for wallets, tags, patches, accessories and decorative work.
- Natural leather varies in thickness and surface texture.
- Finished or coated leather can behave differently.
- Smoke can affect the surface around engraving.
- Vegetable-tanned leather is commonly used for laser work.
- Unknown synthetic leather should not be processed without verifying its composition.
Safety: Avoid unknown leather-like materials containing PVC, vinyl or other unsafe compounds. Verify the material composition first.
Cardboard
Cardboard is useful for prototypes, packaging, architectural models, templates and lightweight decorative projects.
- Thin cardboard can cut quickly.
- Higher power than necessary can create excessive burning.
- Air assist and ventilation are important.
- Corrugated cardboard can behave differently from sheet cardboard.
- Always monitor combustible materials while cutting.
Fire safety: Cardboard is highly combustible. Never leave a laser running unattended.
Paper
Paper can be cut and engraved with very low energy compared with thicker materials. It is useful for cards, patterns, models and intricate decorative projects.
- Paper can ignite easily.
- Small details can disappear if energy is too high.
- Thin paper may move from air assist.
- Different paper coatings affect engraving.
- Use a small test before detailed production jobs.
Wood Veneer
Wood veneer is a thin natural wood product often used for decorative surfaces, furniture details and signs.
- Thin material makes heat control especially important.
- Natural grain changes engraving appearance.
- Veneer can warp or curl from heat.
- Adhesive-backed veneer may behave differently.
- Cutting too slowly can create unnecessary burning.
Cork
Cork is lightweight and useful for coasters, boards, decorative products, stamps and craft applications.
- Density can vary significantly.
- Engraving depth changes with cork structure.
- Cut edges may become dark depending on settings.
- Smoke extraction is important.
- Always test unfamiliar cork products before production.
Laser Material Testing Guide
There is no universal laser setting that works perfectly for every material. Even two sheets labeled with the same thickness can produce different results.
Thickness
Material thickness affects cutting depth, focus, kerf and heat.
Density
Dense materials generally require different cutting conditions than lightweight or porous materials.
Focus
Incorrect focus can reduce cutting efficiency and engraving quality.
Air Assist
Air assist can help remove smoke and heat from the cutting zone.
Kerf
Kerf affects dimensions, slots, tabs and press-fit designs.
Machine Condition
Lens condition, alignment, focus, output and bed flatness can influence results.
Laser Kerf and Material Compensation
Kerf is the amount of material removed by the laser beam during cutting. Measuring kerf is important when creating boxes, joints, slots, tabs and other precision parts.
The easiest way to start is with our free laser test files. After measuring your kerf, you can use the calculator tools on the Laser Tools & Calculators page.
Laser Material Safety
Always verify that a material is suitable for laser processing before cutting or engraving it.
Never process unknown materials.
Avoid materials that may release dangerous or corrosive fumes. In particular, do not laser PVC, vinyl or unknown plastics. Use suitable ventilation and filtration, keep appropriate fire safety equipment nearby, and never leave a running laser unattended.
Avoid materials that may release dangerous or corrosive fumes. In particular, do not laser PVC, vinyl or unknown plastics. Use suitable ventilation and filtration, keep appropriate fire safety equipment nearby, and never leave a running laser unattended.
Laser Materials FAQ
What is the best material for laser cutting?
It depends on the project and laser. Plywood, MDF, acrylic, cardboard and some woods are common choices, but the exact material should always be tested on your machine.
Why does the same material cut differently?
Material density, glue, moisture, thickness, coatings, grain, machine condition, focus and airflow can all affect the result.
Why is my laser edge too dark?
Excessive heat can create darker edges. Power, speed, focus, air assist and material composition can all influence edge appearance.
How do I find the correct laser settings?
Start with a controlled power and speed test using the actual material, then narrow down the range that produces the result you need.
How do I measure laser kerf?
Use a kerf test pattern, measure the resulting pieces or openings, and calculate the material removed by the laser.
Can I use the same settings for every plywood?
No. Different plywood manufacturers and constructions can have different glue, density and core characteristics.
What Do You Want To Do?
Test your material, calculate your settings, get starting laser settings, or learn more about laser cutting and engraving.
FREE DESIGN FILE TOOL
Universal Laser & CNC File Helper
Check file dimensions, convert units and prepare a resized SVG or raster image before opening it in your laser or CNC software.
Browser-supported conversions stay on your device. When server conversion is enabled, selected files are uploaded to the configured conversion provider for processing.
01
Upload and analyze a file
SVG/raster processing + basic ASCII DXF geometry import · 81 machine profiles
Drop your design file here
Import: SVG, SVGZ, DXF, AI, EPS, PDF, PLT, HPGL, PNG, JPG, JPEG, WebP, BMP, TIF, TIFF, GIF (format processing varies)
Maximum file size: 10 MB. SVG, DXF and PNG/JPG/WebP work is processed in this browser. Other formats (SVGZ, AI, EPS, PDF, PLT, HPGL, BMP, TIF, TIFF, GIF) are sent to the DESIGNEROOH conversion service when selected.
Choose a file to begin.
FILE
02
File analysis
Reported dimensions are separated from assumptions.
Format—
Canvas / image—
UnitsUnknown
Dimension statusNot analyzed
Dimensions will appear after a supported file is analyzed. Canvas dimensions are not necessarily the drawing's actual geometric bounds.
PreviewVisual reference only
Your preview will appear here
03
Unit converter & resize
Enter the physical size you want the exported file to represent.
Only conversions available for the selected file are shown. SVG, basic DXF (from simple SVG shapes), PNG, JPG/JPEG and WebP are created in your browser; the other formats are produced by the conversion service. The tool will not create a fake file.
Used only for pixel-to-physical conversion.
For SVG, resizing changes physical width/height while preserving the viewBox coordinate system. Unlocking aspect ratio may stretch the design. SVG effects, strokes, text, clipping, patterns and filters can render differently across applications.
Size comparison
Original / detected—
Requested output—
Scale factor—
Shape changeNo change calculated
Choose an output format, then apply dimensions. DXF output supports basic SVG geometry only; other formats are produced by the conversion service.
03A
Standalone unit converter
Convert a measurement without uploading a file.
100 mm = 3.937008 in. Pixel conversion uses the DPI assumption set in the resize panel.
04
VCarve size-correction assistant
Use explicit target dimensions when the source file does not declare a reliable physical size.
Recommended import workflow
- Check the source file's dimensions before importing.
- In VCarve, confirm the job setup units and material size.
- Import the SVG/DXF, then measure a known edge with the measuring tool.
- If it is wrong, select the vectors and scale them using a known target width or height.
- Check the design stays inside the work area and save a new copy.
Why SVG size can be confusing
The viewBox describes drawing coordinates. The SVG width and height describe its displayed canvas size. A file with only a viewBox does not reliably tell us the intended real-world size.
Important: this tool cannot verify the result inside VCarve. Always measure the imported vectors before machining.
05
Machine & workflow finder
Search your own verified database or use general workflow guidance.
81 machine models included · Use the exact-model menu or search. Compatibility must be confirmed in manufacturer documentation.
Loading machine profiles…
Choose your software to see general next steps. File compatibility depends on software, controller, firmware and workflow—not only the machine brand.
06
Formats & workflow guide
Know what a file contains before sending it to a machine.
DXF
Common CAD exchange format. Unit conventions and supported entities vary. ASCII DXF import supports LINE, CIRCLE, ARC (approximated as line segments), LWPOLYLINE without bulge arcs, POLYLINE and POINT. Other entity types are reported as skipped.
May contain vector paths, raster images, or both. Page size is not necessarily the design bounds. PDF processing is handled by the conversion service.
PNG / JPG
Made of pixels. Useful for image engraving; pixel count and DPI determine an assumed physical size. Raster images are not cutting vectors.
PLT / HPGL
Plotter vector formats used by some cutters and engravers. Conversion is handled by the conversion service; verify units and line settings in your software.
A design file is not the same as ready-to-run machine instructions. CNC routing usually requires CAM toolpaths; laser work still requires checking material thickness, kerf, focus, power/speed, air assist, origin and work area.
07
Help center & troubleshooting
Search common problems and follow the next checks.
My file is too small in VCarve
Check the job units, then measure a known vector. If the source has no physical units, enter the intended width or height explicitly and scale in VCarve or use the SVG resize controls above.
My file is too large
Check whether inches were interpreted as millimeters or vice versa. 1 inch equals 25.4 mm. Confirm the selected job units before scaling.
Should I use millimeters or inches?
Use the units configured for your job and workflow. Avoid switching units mid-workflow without checking dimensions. 1 in = 25.4 mm; 1 cm = 10 mm; 1 m = 1000 mm.
My SVG opens with the wrong size
SVG viewBox coordinates are not automatically millimeters or inches. Check width/height and units, import dimensions in your design software, and measure a known edge before machining.
My DXF imports incorrectly
Check the exporting application's DXF version, units, scale, layers and entity support. This browser tool does not modify DXF files; re-export from CAD software or inspect in a trusted DXF editor.
My machine does not recognize the file
Identify the software/controller workflow first. Import a design into supported design/CAM software, then export or generate the machine-specific job format required by that workflow.
The preview differs from the downloaded file
Preview rendering may not match every application's treatment of fonts, strokes, filters, clipping or embedded resources. Open the downloaded output in your intended software and verify dimensions.
Which format should I use for laser cutting or engraving?
Use SVG or DXF for clean vector cutting paths and PNG/JPG for image engraving. PDF, AI and EPS can hold vectors but should be checked after import. Always confirm which formats your laser software accepts.
How do I select the correct file from my Mega Pack?
Start with the product's included format list. Choose SVG for supported vector workflows, DXF for compatible CAD/CAM software, and raster images for image engraving. Check the listing and your software's import requirements.
Final troubleshooting path
1. FileDoes it open and contain the expected geometry?
2. UnitsDo the dimensions match a known measurement?
3. SoftwareDoes your design/CAM app support the format and features?
4. ControllerAre you exporting the required machine job format?
5. Machine setupCheck origin, work area, material, tool/kerf and safe settings.