Which materials can be laser cut, engraved or marked?

Define the operation before choosing the source

Specify the objective: cut a through-profile, engrave a pattern by removing material, or mark identification on the surface. The ability to mark does not demonstrate the ability to cut. To prepare your project with NWS LASER, have the exact material, operation and source qualified on the equipment under consideration; a general indication is not a machine capability specification.

Metals: distinguish surface marking from cutting

For stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium or anodized aluminum, provide the grade and any treatments, paints or coatings. Working on the surface or its coating does not demonstrate the ability to cut the metal. Send NWS LASER the operation and expected result so your project can be qualified, without assuming that a particular model is compatible.

Polymers, foams and composites: understand the formulation

CO₂ cutting of certain PMMA sheets is documented in PLEXIGLAS processing recommendations. The quality of the result depends, in particular, on the product type, thickness and color, and must be verified for the project. This guidance does not apply to all plastics: color, additives, fillers and layers must be identified. A foam or composite cannot be qualified by its appearance.

The application of heat can produce hazardous substances, the nature of which depends on the polymer, additives and processing conditions. Do not conduct any trials on PVC, PTFE, material containing halogens or an unknown formulation. For flame-retardant products, epoxy or phenolic resins, and carbon-fiber composites, have the composition, gas and dust hazards, and machine restrictions specifically assessed before deciding on any trial. Extraction does not constitute authorization to process the material.

Wood, paper, cardboard, textiles and leather: check the layers

The name of these material families is not enough to validate a commercial product for engraving or cutting. For reconstituted wood, coated textiles or bonded cardboard, also document the binders and treatments. For leather or imitation leather, request the composition, tanning method and any coatings; exclude products containing chromium VI or PVC. The designation “leather” is not enough, and the absence of these components does not confirm compatibility.

Glass, stone and ceramics: do not confuse the effects

For glass, stone or ceramics, a surface engraving or marking effect does not demonstrate the ability to cut through the material. Glass can crack under thermal stress. A satisfactory result on one sample does not guarantee that all parts will remain crack-free. Have the specific product, any coatings or glazes, and the expected result qualified on the equipment under consideration.

Include fumes and fire risk in the qualification process

In its alert on handheld laser welding, cleaning and cutting equipment, INRS reports emissions of fumes, gases or particles from the material and coatings, as well as fire and burn risks. For this equipment, it recommends pollutant capture supplemented by suitable ventilation. Its findings on paint cleaning should not be generalized to all engraving.

For your installation, have emissions and the necessary protective measures assessed according to the process and the manufacturer’s manual. Extraction does not make a prohibited material compatible. Follow the machine’s monitoring, cleaning and fire-prevention instructions; never disable its safety devices.

Prepare a representative sample

Before any trial, gather the supplier’s product reference, known composition, available safety data sheet, thickness, layers and measurable objective. An SDS does not replace confirmation of compatibility by the machine manufacturer. Once the risks have been assessed, the trial should verify the contrast, edges or desired depth, and the integrity of the part. A result on one sample does not automatically validate another batch or formulation.

Pour transmettre votre besoin à NWS Laser, joignez ces éléments et les contraintes d’usage de la pièce. Contact : info@nwslaser.fr ou +33 4 81 68 04 04.

Further reading

Sources and documentation

• PLEXIGLAS — Machining PLEXIGLAS, section 2.8 Laser Cutting
• BG ETEM — Heat treatment of plastics
• Emory University — TechLab: materials prohibited in its laser cutting workshop
• University of Rochester — Thermal stress fracture of optical glasses
• INRS — Alert on handheld laser equipment, 10 February 2026