Laser Cutter Settings

I've been experimenting to find various laser cutter settings from some interesting materials: adhesive paper and T-shirts. The nice thing about doing this is you can make three different types of cuts on sticker paper:

  • You can draw pictures onto the paper with the laser in 8 different shades.
  • You can cut out arbitrarily unusual or challenging shapes with the laser.
  • You can cut out just the top layer of material on the adhesive paper to peel off the sticker.

    Updated Laser Cutter Settings File

    If you would like to see/download the entire Media Lab laser cutter settings file, click here. Below, you'll find the relevant settings and pictures for my recent experiments.

    My Updates 

    MATERIAL:		LENS:	THICKNESS:	PPI: 	POWER (%):	SPEED (%):	EFFECT (cut/etch)

STAPLES white full sheet labels (paper press adhesive) 8 1/2" x 11" 216 x 279mm
* indicates recommended setting
make sure to focus well
(todo: try it with 75% power)
			2	?		1000	>=64		100	*full cut both layers, smooth black edges
			2	?		1000	55		100	full cut both layers, medium brown-black edges
			2	?		1000	47		100	full cut both layers, pixelated brown edges
			2	?		1000	40		100	shoddy cut, not recommended
			2	?		1000	34		100	full cut top layer, great for peeling off label
			2	?		1000	29		100	*full cut top layer, great for peeling off label
			2	?		1000	25		100	full cut top layer, great for peeling off label
			2	?		1000	22		100	*does not completely penetrate top layer, orange brown line, darkest
			2	?		1000	20.3		100	*medium dark draw
			2	?		1000	19		100	*medium draw
			2	?		1000	18		100	*medium light draw
			2	?		1000	17		100	*light draw
			2	?		1000	15		100	*extremely light draw
			2	?		1000	<=13		100	no laser output, not recommended


    MATERIAL:		LENS:	THICKNESS:	PPI: 	POWER (%):	SPEED (%):	EFFECT (cut/etch)

White heavy weight cotton T-Shirt
* indicates recommended setting
(todo: find perfect setting between 55 and 47.  also try with 75% power)

			2	?		1000	100		100	*clear through both layers	
			2	?		1000	90		100	clear through both layers
			2	?		1000	80		100	clear through one layer.  second layer scraggly
			2	?		1000	70		100	clear through one layer.  second layer scraggly
			2	?		1000	64		100	clear through one layer.  second layer orangey
			2	?		1000	55		100	*clear through one layer.  second layer slight orange orangey.  recommended
			2	?		1000	47		100	top layer scraggly.  
			2	?		1000	40		100	top layer scraggly.
			2	?		1000	34		100	top layer scraggly.
			2	?		1000	29		100	top layer nicely burned 
			2	?		1000	25		100	*top layer nicely burned
			2	?		1000	22		100	*top layer nicely burned
			2	?		1000	18		100	*top layer lightly burned
			2	?		1000	17		100	*top layer medium burned
			2	?		1000	16		100	*top layer medium burned
			2	?		1000	15		100	*top layer just barely burned	
			2	?		1000	<14		100	no laser output, not recommended

    Sample Photos

    Laser Cutter on STAPLES Adhesive Paper sheets, illustrating three different types of cuts:




    Laser Cutter on Cotton T-Shirt: