APPENDIX B: MATERIAL SETTINGS

Acrylic

Cutting Note: Adjusting the standard focus distance so it is closer to the lens by about .030" (.762 mm) will produce better edge quality on 1/4" acrylic and thicker. Two passes may produce better results and allow for cutting through thicker materials. There are two types of acrylic: cast is better for engraving (creates a frosted look when engraved) and extruded acrylics are better for smooth-edged cutting.

Alumamark

Anodized Aluminum

We find when engraving anodized aluminum, text appears best at 500 DPI, but photos and clipart can be engraved with great detail down to 400 DPI.

Cork

Cotton

Denim

Fleece

When engraving fabric, try changing the graphic to 80% gray and use the Jarvis dithering pattern for the best results. Every fabric you are cutting will need to have adjusted settings - find a small swatch of the fabric you can test first.

Glass

When etching glass, try changing the graphic to 80% gray before engraving and using the Jarvis dithering pattern. You can also diffuse heat by covering the glass with a thin sheet of dish soap.

Leather

Mat Board

Bottom-up engraving is suggested for mat board etching.

Marble

Every marble is very different for settings. Start low and increase the power with a second run if you haven't used that marble before.

Painted Brass

Plastics

These settings work well with many plastics, including plastic phones and covers. Even one color plastics can achieve a great look when engraved.

Plastic (2 Layer Engraveable)

Rubber Stamps

Stainless Steel w/Cermark

Twill

Wood

When cutting wood, multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials. You can readjust the focus between passes down to the center point of the cut for the best results.

General Advice and Notes

• These are only suggestions: Every type of material will react differently with the laser, even from one plastic to the next. But don't feel that you need to be exact on any of the settings. While engraving acrylic at 35% speed and 75% speed will give you a very different result, the difference between 35% and 39% will be much more subtle and relies more on personal preferences.
• Test your material: If you have a small area of the material you won't be using, or an extra of the item, take advantage of this area to test out your settings by engraving a small square or cutting a small circle. You can fine tune your settings in these areas.
• Similar materials use similar settings: When you are working with a material you aren't familiar with, think about a similar material and what settings you would use with that product. Most anodized aluminums will react well with similar settings, as will most plastics.
• When in doubt, start low: Remember, you can always re-run your job as long as you don't move it in the machine. Let's say you're running a photograph in a one-of-a-kind wood plaque. Start with a lower power setting, look at the engraving, then run the project a second time at high speed and lower power a second time to add a little more depth if needed.
• Run only one part of the file: If running a job on a new material, you can always just select one piece of the engraving, like a piece of text, and run that part first to make sure your settings are perfect before running the whole file.

⏰ To print a copy of these settings to keep next to your laser, go to www.epiloglaser.com/material-settings.htm.