Materials & finishes
What works on what, and why.
A practical reference to the substrates that pass through the studio. If yours isn't listed, ask. We keep test panels on standby for anything new.
Metals
| Material | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Stainless steelFibre (MOPA) | Deep etch for awards, dark anneal for serialisation, polished contrast on cutlery and gifts. |
| Brass & bronzeFibre (MOPA) | Crisp deep-engrave for plaques, recognition pieces, and signage. |
| Anodised aluminiumFibre (MOPA) | Clean white mark through the anodised layer, flawless for asset tagging and branded tools. |
| TitaniumFibre (MOPA) | Colour marking via pulse-tuning for jewellery, medical, and contemporary collections. |
| Plated metalsUV | Cold marking preserves the plating layer, essential for gold-plated jewellery and decorative finishes. |
Wood & timber
| Material | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Hardwoods (oak, walnut, beech)CO₂ (P2S / P3) | Rich, dark engrave with controllable depth for signage, awards, and joinery details. |
| Plywood & MDF (laser-grade)CO₂ (P2S / P3) | Cuts cleanly for props, jigs, and architectural models. |
| Cork & bambooCO₂ (P2S) | Soft contrast suited to hospitality and gift packaging. |
Acrylic & polymers
| Material | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Cast acrylicCO₂ (P2S / P3) | Polished flame-edge cuts and crisp etched faces for signage and awards. |
| PolycarbonateUV | Marks without the discolouration and shattering CO₂ would cause. |
| ABS, PET, nylonUV | Cosmetic packaging, electronics housings, and technical components. |
Glass, leather & soft goods
| Material | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Glass (bottles, awards, panels)UV | Sharp marks without micro-fracturing. Far cleaner than CO₂ frosted-look engraving. |
| Leather (full-grain, suede)CO₂ or UV | CO₂ for deep brand burns on belts and folios; UV for cosmetic marking on premium goods. |
| Paper & cardCO₂ (P2S) | Wedding stationery, hospitality menus, and architectural model card. |
| Textiles & feltCO₂ (P2S) | Cut and edge-seal in one pass for retail props and craft production. |
Frequently asked
- Will you test on my exact material before quoting a run?
- For production work, yes. Send a sample and we'll run a test panel — different alloys, finishes, and batches behave differently, and we'd rather prove it than assume.
- What can't you laser?
- PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate on CO₂, and any substrate that releases chlorine, cyanide, or carcinogenic fumes. We'll always tell you when a material is off-limits and suggest a safe alternative.
- Can you supply materials, or do I send my own?
- Either. We stock laser-grade acrylic, common timber, and stainless blanks. For custom substrates we'll either source through our trade partners or work with stock you ship in.
Got a substrate we haven't listed?
Send a sample. We'll run a test panel and report back with the right method and settings.