Wood Laser Engraving and Cutting: A Practical Guide
Why Wood?
Wood laser engraving and cutting open up more possibilities for processing wood materials. Wood is one of the most common materials used in laser applications. Due to its durability and natural grain patterns, wood finds extensive use in sectors such as construction, furniture, interior design, and craftsmanship. Possessing both practicality and aesthetic value, wood customization offer even greater versatility.
There are various types of wood materials. Among them, plywood, solid wood, and MDF, are frequently employed in laser processing. In comparison to traditional woodworking methods, wood laser engraving and cutting offer greater convenience and efficiency, replacing the need for complex tools like saws, planers, and drills.

Common Types of Wood for laser processing
Plywood is a multi-layered material made by bonding thin veneers or sheets of wood with adhesive. Composed of an odd number of layers ranging from 3 to 13, plywood ensures uniform wood characteristics and stable shapes by bonding adjacent layers with their grain directions perpendicular to each other.
Compared to solid wood of the same thickness, plywood offers advantages such as high strength, resistance to breakage, and minimal shrinkage or deformation. Among them, birch plywood is known for its durability, waterproof properties, and exceptional strength, making it one of the sturdiest and most stable plywood options for wood laser engraving.
Solid wood planks are made from complete wood pieces(logs). They are often categorized by the type of wood it used, such as black walnut planks, cherry wood planks, maple planks, oak planks, bamboo planks, and more.
Solid wood planks are known for their strength, durability, and natural grain patterns. Additionally, most of them possess the distinctive aroma of natural wood and exhibit good moisture absorption and breathability. As a result, solid wood planks are considered premium materials for crafting high-end furniture and home renovations.
Medium Density Fiberboard, commonly known as MDF, is a wood product widely used in construction and interior design. It is made from wax, plant fibers mixed with synthetic resins and compressed under high pressure and heat.
MDF is renowed for its exceptional dimensional stability, as it doesn’t warp or expand like natural wood. Its consistent composition allows for precise cutting, drilling, and shaping for wood laser engraving, making it a favorite among craftsmen and woodworkers. Besides, the smooth surface readily accepts paints, veneers, and laminates, enabling endless design possibilities.
What are the popular wood products processed by laser?
Decorative Items

Furniture Components

Models and Crafts

Jewelry and Accessories

Where to buy wood?
Lumberyards
Home Improvement Stores
They are convenient for smaller projects and DIY enthusiasts. For example, Home Depot and Lowe’s often have a selection of common wood species.
Online Retailers
Many online retailers, such as Amazon and Woodworkers Source, sell a wide range of wood products, including exotic and specialty woods. It provides access to a broader selection and may include delivery to your doorstep.
Woodworking Shows and Expos
Woodworking shows and expos often feature vendors selling a wide range of wood and related products. It’s an excellent opportunity to see and feel the wood before buying.
Salvaged and Reclaimed Wood Suppliers
They offer wood salvaged from old buildings or repurposed from other sources. This option provides unique, eco-friendly wood choices. You can find them on the ReUse People.
Local Woodworkers and Craftsmen
Choose the right laser machine for processing wood



Thunder Nova Laser Cutter
Work Area
Type
Power
Z-axis
Thunder Bolt Laser Cutter
Work Area
Type
Power
Z-axis
Thunder Odin Laser Engraver
Work Area
Type
Power
Z-axis
Common laser processing wood parameters
The results of wood laser engraving and cutting are greatly influenced by the wood material used. Even with the same thickness of the same type of wood, differences in origin, batch, storage conditions, and other factors can lead to variations in hardness, moisture content, and grain patterns, ultimately affecting the outcome.
The table below provides recommended settings for using the Nova laser cutting machine to process wood. You can do some testing first to fit the parameters for a particular use in wood laser engraving and cutting.
Materials | Thickness(mm) | Processing | Speed(mm/s) | Mini Power(%) | Max Power(%) |
Birch Ply | / | Engraving | 500 | 10 | 10 |
3mm | Cutting | 55 | 10 | 90 | |
6mm | 25 | 10 | 90 | ||
10mm | 18 | 10 | 90 | ||
15mm | 3 | 10 | 90 | ||
18mm | 2 | 10 | 90 | ||
Cherry Wood | / | Engraving | 500 | 10 | 20 |
3mm | Cutting | 82 | 10 | 90 | |
8mm | 24 | 10 | 90 | ||
11mm | 16 | 10 | 90 | ||
15mm | 8 | 5 | 90 | ||
20mm | 5 | 10 | 90 | ||
MDF | / | Engraving | 500 | 10 | 20 |
3mm | Cutting | 15 | 10 | 90 | |
10mm | 13 | 10 | 90 | ||
15mm | 5 | 10 | 90 | ||
20mm | x | x | 90 |
*The “×” symbol means this laser machine cannot cut 20mm thick MDF.
Tips and tricks for laser processing wood
Reducing Backside Charring in Wood Laser Engraving
During wood laser engraving, the laser energy passes through the material and strikes the honeycomb platform. It is then reflected back onto the backside of the wood by a metal mesh, causing it to char and leaving unwanted and visible marks.
As these marks are a result of laser reflection, reducing them can be achieved by minimizing this reflection. Here are several methods to do so:
1.Optimize Processing Parameters. Increase the cutting speed and lower the laser power.
2.Elevate the Wood with a Nail Bed or Similar Tool. Raise the wood above the honeycomb platform for cutting, similar to using a nail bed.
3.Cut with a Knife Blade Beneath the Wood. Cutting with a knife blade beneath the wood, which is less dense than the honeycomb platform. However, it’s essential to cut from the inside out and this method may not be suitable for very small parts.
4.Cover the Backside with Decorative Paper. Place decorative paper on the backside of the wood, allowing it to absorb some of the reflected energy in place of the wood.
5.Enhance Ventilation. Improve the air assist and exhaust system to minimize the smoke and fumes between the wood and the platform.
Choosing Woods for Laser Engraving
The principle of wood laser engraving is as follows: laser energy causes the wood surface to char and darken, creating patterns in contrast to the natural wood color. If the wood has a high resin content, deeper engraving marks can be achieved.
Therefore, wood with high resin content, light color, and smooth texture can be used for various intricate vector designs and even photo engravings. Wood with lower resin content, darker color, or distinctive grain patterns may have less pronounced detail in the engravings. For achieving excellent contrast in wood laser engraving, you can choose wood like birch, maple, and cherry wood.
What do our customers say about Thunder Laser?
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Contact Thunder Laser Canada!
We became reps for Thunder Laser in Canada, because we are makers ourselves. After using many different types of laser machines over the years, we decided we like Thunder Lasers the best!
Our team is based all over Canada, but our main location and showroom is located at Fuse33 Makerspace in Calgary Alberta. This means, all our members are artists, tradespeople and hobbyists. Our members use our Thunder Laser machines for a wide range of projects. We’ve seen it all!
Let us help you decide which laser machine is best for you according to projects you want to make, space you have available and your budget. We will also help you understand the features and use cases for all of the various add-ons and upgrades available.