What can each laser type cut and engrave?
Laser type decides what you can work with — more than wattage or price. This table shows what each technology can cut, engrave, or should never touch.
| Material | Diode | CO₂ | Fiber | UV | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood, plywood & MDF | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
Leather Vegetable-tanned only — chrome-tanned leather releases toxic fumes. | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
Paper & cardboard | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
Clear acrylic Blue diode light passes straight through clear acrylic — CO₂ is the tool for this. | ✕ | ✓✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
Dark / opaque acrylic | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
Glass UV gives the cleanest result; diode needs a coated or painted surface. | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Anodized / coated metal The laser marks the coating, not the metal underneath. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bare metal (stainless, brass, aluminum) Needs a 1064 nm source: fiber, MOPA, or an infrared module. Diode and CO₂ can't mark bare metal without spray. | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Stone, slate & ceramic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fabric & felt | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓✓ |
PVC & vinyl Never laser PVC or vinyl: it releases chlorine gas that is toxic and corrodes the machine. | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |