The Ultimate Guide:Laser Cutting Wood

Posted by Joey Weng on November 28, 2025

Background

Have you ever looked at a plain sheet of plywood and imagined it transformed into a stunning wall clock, intricate wall art, or personalized coasters? With a laser cutter, that vision can become reality faster and more precisely than you might think. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to start laser cutting and engraving plywood.

How Does Laser Cutting wood Actually Work?

A laser cutter focuses a high-powered beam of light onto the surface of the plywood. As the beam moves along your digital design (controlled by software), it instantly vaporizes the wood along the path, leaving a clean cut. The same machine can switch to fast speed and lower power to engrave fine details, logos, or patterns — giving you both cutting and engraving in one tool.

What Knd of Laser Should You Use for Plywood?

Not all lasers are created equal when it comes to wood.

Diode lasers (like the NEJE Max 4 with the E80 20W module) are perfect for plywood. They deliver exactly the right power and wavelength for clean cuts and beautiful engraving.
Fiber lasers are designed for metal — they’re far too aggressive for wood and can easily ignite plywood or leave ugly, unreadable marks.

How to Choose the Best Plywood for Laser Cutting?

1.Wood Species
Different woods react differently to the laser. Some engrave dark and bold, others light and subtle. The absolute beginner favorite: Birch plywood

Light, uniform color
Fine grain that doesn’t distract from your design
Cuts quickly and cleanly
Beautiful contrast when engraved

Other excellent choices:
- Bamboo (gorgeous natural grain, light brown edges)
- Walnut (rich dark engraving)
- Cherry wood (warms up beautifully over time)
- Basswood (super soft, engraves very light)
- Maple, Oak, Mahogany,

2. Glue/Resin Content
The adhesive used between layers affects engraving contrast. Higher resin = darker engraving. Look for “laser-grade” or “clean” plywood when possible.

3. Surface Finish
Pre-sanded or film-faced plywood gives the cleanest results straight off the machine.

Projects to Try First

These projects are simple, look impressive, and sell well at craft markets:

Wooden Wall Clock – Minimalist Scandinavian style never goes out of fashion.
Layered Wood Wall Art – Stack different woods for stunning 3D effects.
Personalized wooden boxs – patterns or funny quotes.
Christmas Decors – The ultimate seasonal money-maker.
Coaster Sets – Engrave family names, coordinates, or geometric patterns.

What Are the Laser Cutting Plywood Settings?

For laser cutting plywood settings, there isn't a single solution that works for everyone. Before beginning your project, it is often advisable to make a test cut on scrap plywood. You can consult these material settings, nevertheless, if you utilize a NEJE MAX 4 & E80 machine.

20W Diode Laser Cutting Parameters

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed (mm/min)	Passes	Notes
Birch Plywood	3 mm	100%	400–500	1	Cleanest single-pass cut
	5 mm	100%	300–400	1
	10 mm	100%	200–300	2–3	Air assist strongly recommended
Walnut Plywood	3 mm	100%	300–450	1	Dense wood
	5 mm	100%	700–900	1
MDF	3 mm	100%	400–500	1	Lots of smoke
	5 mm	100%	200–300	1	Strong exhaust needed

20W Diode Laser Engraving Parameters

Material	Desired Effect	Power	Speed (mm/min)	Notes
Birch	Light engraving	30–50%	10000–15000	Clean & subtle
	Medium depth	60–80%	8000–9000
	Very dark & deep	95–100%	7000–8000	borax or baking soda treated
Walnut	Light (keep wood tone)	40–60%	7000–9000
Bamboo	Jet black	90–100%	8000–9000
Cherry	Warm reddish tone	60–80%	7000–9000	Color deepens over time
Cork	A moderate shade of black	40–60%	15000–17000
MDF	Jet black	50%	12000–15000	Massive smoke – vent heavily

Note: During laser processing, adjust the settings to ensure the best results. The material selection may differ from the actual parameters, and the parameters can be adjusted according to the engraving and cutting effect of the actual object.

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