Wood and acrylic laser cutting: MDF, leather, cardboard, fabrics

What CO₂ laser cutting is and when it is needed

CO₂ laser cutting is a non-contact process: the laser beam separates the material along the path of the drawing, without blades and without cutting dies. It allows complex shapes, small holes and fine details, identical on every piece in a batch. It is used for signs and display stands, panels and shapes, prototypes and scale models, packaging and samples, furniture components, gaskets and accessories.

Laser cutting of wood, plywood and MDF

Wood laser cutting works solid wood, plywood and MDF for shapes, panels, lettering, boxes, furniture components and scale models. Plywood combines lightness and strength; MDF has a uniform surface, suitable for painting. On wood the laser-cut edge is darkened, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the wood species and the thickness.

Laser cutting of Plexiglas, acrylic and plastics

Laser cutting of Plexiglas (PMMA) and acrylic leaves a polished edge, suitable for display stands, signs, tags and panels. Laser cutting of plastics is assessed material by material: not all are suitable for the laser and PVC, for example, is not cut because it gives off corrosive fumes. The type of plastic must be stated in the request. Finished display stands have a dedicated page: keyrings, tags, signs and display stands.

Laser cutting of leather, fabric and felt

Leather laser cutting cuts out shapes, labels, inserts and small accessories, even in small numbers, because no cutting dies are needed. Laser cutting of fabric and felt works without contact: on synthetic fabrics the heat seals the edge, which does not fray. Felt and fabrics become gaskets, linings, inserts and promotional items.

Laser cutting of cardboard and cork

Cardboard laser cutting is used for packaging prototypes, shapes, scale models and samples. Cork laser cutting produces coasters, panels and custom gaskets.

Engraving on the same pieces

Logos, text, numbering and graphics can be engraved on laser-cut pieces, even with different variable data on each piece, such as names or sequential numbers. Decorative and personalised engraving on wood, leather and acrylic is covered on the page laser engraving on wood, leather, acrylic and stone.

Sizes and limits

The table summarises materials, thicknesses, piece size, quantities, lead times and delivery for wood and acrylic laser cutting.

How it works

Wood and acrylic laser cutting is ordered in four steps.

1. Price. The online quote tool calculates the cutting price from the file; for jobs outside the price list there is the custom request.
2. Details. Material, thickness, quantity, any engraving and lead times are specified.
3. Cutting. The workshop cuts and, on request, engraves the pieces, made in Italy, in the COOLASER workshop.
4. Delivery. Shipping throughout Italy and abroad, or, on request, collection from the workshop.

What to prepare

The laser cutting quote starts from the file or the measurements of the piece:

• A vector file with the outlines to be cut (DXF, DWG, SVG, AI, EPS or PDF), ideally at full scale.
• Alternatively, photos, sketches or images (PNG, JPG, WEBP, HEIC) with the main measurements, or just measurements and a description.
• Up to 10 files, 20 MB each and 30 MB in total; several files can be collected in a ZIP.
• Without a drawing, CAD design starts from an idea, a sketch, a photo or a sample.

Related processes

• Subcontract laser service: the channel for those who work for their own customers.
• Metal laser cutting: stainless steel and aluminium sheet, as well as brass and titanium.
• Subcontract production and small batches: the complete piece, from cutting to finishing.