Laser engraving clear acrylic is a fantastic way to create sleek, professional-looking designs. But getting the perfect result depends on using the right setting for clear acrylic. If you’re wondering how to achieve efficient cuts and sharp engravings, this guide will break it all down.
Understanding Clear Acrylic: Cast vs. Extruded
Before choosing the best setting when cutting clear acrylic, it’s important to know that not all acrylic is the same. There are two main types:
- Cast Acrylic: This type engraves beautifully, creating a frosted, white finish. It’s the preferred choice for most engraving projects.
- Extruded Acrylic: While great for cutting acrylic, it doesn’t engrave as well as cast acrylic. Instead of a frosted look, it engraves clearly, which may not always be desirable.
For clear acrylic engraving, cast acrylic is usually the better option.
Choosing the Right Settings for Laser Engraving Clear Acrylic
The key to laser engraving clear acrylic is adjusting the laser power and speed to balance precision and efficiency. The settings will depend on the type of laser engraver you’re using.
In our workshop, we used a 100W CO2 laser with these real-world settings for cast acrylic:
- Engraving speed ~30
- Power ~19%
- Interval (DPI) ~0.0033 (about 300 DPI)
CO2 Lasers vs. Diode Lasers
- CO2 Lasers: These are the most common for engraving and cutting acrylic. They offer efficient cuts and work well on thicker acrylic sheets.
- Diode Lasers: While great for other materials, they don’t perform as well on clear acrylic because the laser beam can pass through the material without properly engraving it.
For the best results, a CO2 laser is recommended.
Best Setting When Cutting Clear Acrylic
When cutting acrylic, it’s important to use high laser power and moderate speed for clean, polished edges.
For ¼ acrylic:
- Power: ~95% max power, ~93% min power
- Speed: 1 in RDWorks (~25 mm/s)
- Focus: Exactly on the material surface (or slightly into the acrylic if you prefer a polished edge)
For an extra-polished look, use multiple passes at a slightly lower power setting.
Note: we prefer a 3” lens for added clearance, finding it produced cleaner edges on thicker acrylic.
Best Setting for Clear Acrylic Engraving
If you’re engraving clear acrylic, lower laser power and higher speed work best to avoid excessive melting.
- Power: 19-20% power
- Speed: 30 RDWorks speed (~762 mm/s)
- Focus: Focus on the surface for a crisp, frosted finish on cast acrylic.
For deeper engravings, multiple passes at a lower power setting work better than one high-power pass.
For more information about varying thicknesses of acrylic, look here.
Final Tips for Engraving and Cutting Acrylic
- Always use cast acrylic for a frosted engraving look. Note: the difference in the edge finish: cast acrylic doesn’t typically yield a flame-polished edge, but extruded acrylic does
- If using a diode laser, apply a coating like paint or tape for better engraving results.
- For efficient cuts, adjust the air assist to minimize heat buildup and reduce charring.
- Run a test on a scrap piece to fine-tune the setting for clear acrylic.
- Remember safety first: monitor your job closely, ensure proper ventilation—especially when cutting acrylic—due to potential flare-ups
The Bottom Line
Getting the perfect clear acrylic engraving takes practice, but with the right settings, you can achieve professional-quality results. Whether you’re using a CO2 laser or experimenting with diode lasers, finding the right balance of power and speed will make all the difference.
Now that you know the best setting when cutting clear acrylic, it’s time to put your laser engraver to work and create stunning acrylic designs!
Already have a machine? Shop our acrylic selection here!
