Laser Engraver Material Settings & Guides
Diode laser settings are not universal — every material has its own power, speed, and pass requirements. These guides cover the most common materials with settings tables for both 10W and 20W diode lasers, plus honest assessments of what works and what doesn't.
Material Settings Guides
Laser Engraver Wood Settings
The ideal starting material for diode lasers. Settings for birch ply, basswood, MDF, pine, and hardwood — with separate 10W and 20W columns. Includes the masking tape trick and why MDF is trickier than it looks.
Laser Engraving Acrylic
The honest acrylic guide: why diode lasers struggle with clear acrylic, cast vs extruded, what actually works, and the fume warning you need to read before you start.
Laser Engraving Leather
Real leather only — faux leather contains PVC and produces chlorine gas. Settings for vegetable-tanned and chrome-tanned leather, with a note on why chrome-tanned is controversial.
Laser Engraver Slate Settings
Slate is one of the best diode laser materials — the beam turns the surface white, creating high-contrast engravings. Settings for coasters, tiles, and plaques on 10W and 20W machines.
Laser Engraving Anodized Aluminum
Why anodized aluminum works when bare aluminum doesn't, settings for black and colored anodized, and the popular use cases — YETI cups, dog tags, MacBooks (with warranty disclaimer).
Materials You Should Never Laser
PVC produces chlorine gas. Carbon fiber produces carcinogenic particles. ABS produces styrene fumes. A safety-critical guide to the materials that can seriously harm you — and safer alternatives.
Laser Engraver Settings Chart (All Materials)
The master reference table: 15+ materials, power%, speed, passes, and air assist status — in separate 10W and 20W sections. The page to bookmark when you're setting up a new material.
How to Use These Settings
Every settings guide on this site includes starting-point numbers, not guaranteed values. Two machines with the same rated wattage can produce different real-world results due to lens quality, air assist pressure, and module age. Always run a test burn on scrap material before committing to a full job. The settings tables give you a calibrated starting point — from there, small adjustments in 10–15% increments get you dialed in quickly.
If your laser is not cutting or engraving as expected even with correct settings, see the troubleshooting guides — focus and lens cleanliness are the most commonly overlooked variables.