Laser cutting

What it is

Laser cutting follows the lines in your vector file with a focused laser beam and cuts all the way through a flat sheet. It produces precise, repeatable shapes, including fine detail and inside cutouts, with no tooling to make first.

A few things are true of laser cutting at any shop:

• The laser removes a thin line of material, called the kerf. Parts that must fit together tightly (tabs, slots, inlays) need to allow for it.
• Cut edges look different by material. Some come out clean, some darker or slightly scorched.
• Every cut line must be in the file at full size. The laser cuts exactly what is drawn.

Cutting and engraving can be combined on the same piece, for example a cut sign with engraved lettering.

What to send us

1. Your vector file at 1:1 scale, with text converted to outlines. Tell us the file format and units.
2. Which lines cut and which engrave, if the file has both.
3. Material and thickness you want, or what the piece is for.
4. Quantity and overall size.
5. Fit requirements: anything that slots, presses or inlays into something else.
6. Deadline, and Austin-area meetup or shipping (US only).

Our file prep guide covers closed paths, duplicate lines, kerf and text outlines.

File formats we accept: SVG, DXF, AI and PDF for cut lines. PNG works for engraved artwork but not for cut lines.

Materials and size

Most cutting runs on our Bambu Lab R1, a 55 W CO2 laser. It cuts wood, acrylic (including clear), leather, fabric, paper and EVA foam.

• Working area: up to 600 x 300 mm (about 23.6 x 11.8 in). Sheets up to 710 x 380 mm fit in the machine.
• Acrylic: up to 20 mm thick.
• Hardwood: up to 15 to 18 mm of black walnut, depending on the lens.
• Thin metal on our xTool F2 Ultra fiber laser: brass and stainless steel up to 2 mm, aluminum up to 1 mm, within 220 x 220 mm.

These are the manufacturers' rated maximums, and real limits depend on the exact sheet. Tell us the material and thickness and we will confirm what fits on your quote. Full specs are on machines and materials.

How quoting works

Every job is quoted individually. The price depends on your file, the material, the size and the quantity. We review what you send, ask about anything unclear and reply with a quote. Nothing is cut until you approve it.