Laser Cutting & Engraving

Getting your first laser results right involves understanding three parameters — power, speed, and passes — and how they interact with your specific material. This guide explains the fundamentals, gives practical starting points for common materials, and covers the most frequent problems new xTool users encounter and how to fix them. The Three Parameters That Control Every Laser Job Power (%) Power is the percentage of the laser's maximum output applied to the job. 100% power delivers the machine's full rated wattage at the focal point. More power means more energy per unit area, which means deeper cuts, more material removal, and more char on organic materials. For engraving, high power with high speed produces a different result than low power with low speed even at the same energy density — the former engraves more aggressively. General rule: For cutting, use high power (70–100%). For engraving, start lower (30–60%) and adjust for depth and contrast. Speed (mm/s) Speed is how fast the laser head moves across the material. Slower speed = more time per unit area = more energy delivered = deeper cut or darker engrave. Higher speed = less energy per unit area = shallower cut or lighter engrave. General rule: For cutting, use lower speed (10–50mm/s on most materials). For engraving, higher speeds (200–600mm/s) produce faster, lighter marks; lower speeds (50–150mm/s) produce deeper, darker marks. Passes The number of times the laser traverses the same path. For cutting, multiple passes allow the laser to progressively cut through material that a single pass at the same settings would not fully cut. Each pass removes more material. For engraving, multiple passes deepen the engraving without increasing char from a single high-power pass. xTool Creative Space — Built-in Material Presets xTool Creative Space (XCS) includes tested material presets for all xTool machines. For your first jobs, use these presets — they are a reliable starting point developed by xTool's testing team and are regularly updated. Access them in XCS by selecting your material from the dropdown in the processing settings panel. Always run a small test on scrap material before committing to the full job, even with presets, as material density and coating vary between suppliers. Starting Settings by Material These are starting point ranges — your specific machine, material thickness, and material density will require adjustment. Always test first. 3mm Basswood (Diode 40W) Cutting: Power 90–100%, Speed 25–35mm/s, 1 pass Engraving (light): Power 30–40%, Speed 400–600mm/s, 1 pass Engraving (deep): Power 60–80%, Speed 100–200mm/s, 1–2 passes 3mm Acrylic — Opaque (Diode 40W) Cutting: Power 90–100%, Speed 20–30mm/s, 1–2 passes Engraving: Power 40–60%, Speed 300–500mm/s, 1 pass Note: Clear acrylic cannot be cut by diode lasers — CO2 required 3mm Acrylic — Any Colour (CO2 55W, xTool P2S) Cutting: Power 70–85%, Speed 30–40mm/s, 1 pass Engraving: Power 25–40%, Speed 400–600mm/s, 1 pass Edge quality tip: Air assist on for cutting to maximise flame-polished edge quality 3mm Leather Cutting: Power 80–100%, Speed 15–25mm/s, 1–2 passes Engraving: Power 25–45%, Speed 300–500mm/s, 1 pass Note: Genuine leather varies significantly in density — always test a piece from the same batch Anodised Aluminium (Diode) Engraving: Power 80–100%, Speed 200–400mm/s, 1 pass Note: The laser removes the anodised layer, revealing the bare aluminium beneath. Contrast depends on anodising thickness and colour Stainless Steel (Fiber, xTool F1 Ultra) Marking: Power 60–80%, Speed 300–600mm/s, 1 pass Deep engraving: Power 90–100%, Speed 50–100mm/s, 3–5 passes Colour on steel (MOPA): Colour varies by pulse width — use the XCS colour mapping presets as a starting point Common Problems and How to Fix Them Incomplete cut — material not cutting through Causes: Power too low; speed too high; material thicker than settings assume; focus height incorrect; multiple passes needed. Fix: Increase power by 10–15%, reduce speed by 20%, or add a second pass. Check that the material is flat on the bed (bowing causes inconsistent focal distance). Verify focus is set correctly for your material thickness. Excessive char and burning on wood Causes: Speed too low (too much dwell time); power too high; air assist not engaged. Fix: Increase speed by 20–30% and reduce power slightly. Ensure air assist is running during cutting — it removes combustion gases and reduces secondary burning. Masking tape on the wood surface before cutting also significantly reduces char and smoke staining. Engraving too light or too dark Too light: Increase power, reduce speed, or add a pass. Too dark / over-engraved: Reduce power by 10–20%, increase speed. For high-contrast engraving without depth, high speed and lower power often produces cleaner results than low speed and high power. Stringing and ooze on acrylic engraving Cause: Power too high for engraving — melting rather than vaporising the surface. Fix: Reduce power significantly (try 20–30%), increase speed. For acrylic engraving, cooler and faster usually produces a cleaner result than slower and hotter. Lines visible between engraving passes Cause: Line interval (spacing between scan lines) is too wide relative to the beam spot size. Fix: Reduce the line interval in XCS settings. A tighter interval produces a more uniform engrave surface but takes longer. 0.1mm is a common starting point for fine engraving. Metal marking uneven or inconsistent Cause: Surface is not flat; focus height varying across the part; metal surface has varying reflectivity or coating. Fix: Ensure the part is perfectly flat and secure. For curved surfaces, use xTool's curved surface engraving mode (available on F2 Ultra, F1 Ultra) which adjusts focus dynamically as the contour changes. xTool Creative Space vs LightBurn xTool Creative Space (XCS) is xTool's free, dedicated software. It handles design creation, import, and machine control. Material presets are built in, camera positioning works natively, and the workflow from design to job start is streamlined. For beginners and most small business applications, XCS covers everything needed. LightBurn (paid licence, ~€50) is compatible with all xTool machines and offers more granular control over parameters — useful for advanced users who need fine-tuned settings, complex job sequencing, or integration with existing design workflows from RD-Works or similar. Available from Eolas Prints Eolas Prints is an authorised xTool reseller based in Cantabria, Spain. If you have questions about settings for a specific material or application on any xTool machine, contact us — our team works with xTool hardware daily and can advise on specific configurations.

A laser engraver is one of the few pieces of workshop equipment with a direct route to revenue from the day it arrives. The product categories it enables — personalised gifts, custom signage, branded merchandise, trophies, jewellery — are in consistent demand, sold at healthy margins, and require no specialist knowledge to get started. This guide covers the practical side of building a laser business with xTool: which machine for which business model, what products to sell, and what the economics actually look like. The Three Main Laser Business Models 1. Personalisation and Gifts The largest and most accessible laser business category. Engraving names, dates, and messages onto gifts — wooden boards, leather items, keyrings, acrylic ornaments, jewellery, glasses, trophies. Primary sales channels are Etsy, local markets, pop-up events, and corporate clients ordering branded gifts in volume. Key characteristics: High unit margin on low material cost, repeat customers, seasonal peaks (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, weddings). Volume is the constraint — faster machines process more orders per day. Right machines: F1 Portable or F1 Ultra for metal and organic personalisation; S1 40W for organic-only high volume; M1 Smart if vinyl-cut items are also in the range. 2. Sign Making and Architectural Custom signage, plaques, lettering, and decorative panels for businesses, homes, and events. Materials: acrylic, wood, MDF, leather. Typically larger orders with higher per-job value. Clients include interior designers, estate agents, restaurants, retail, and construction. Key characteristics: Larger material costs, higher per-job revenue, less seasonal. Cut quality and material range matter more than personalisation speed. Right machines: P2S or P3 (CO2) for acrylic and thick wood cutting. The ability to cut clear acrylic cleanly is a CO2-exclusive capability that sign makers cannot do without. 3. Specialist High-Value Products Crystal trophies, premium metal awards, industrial part marking, jewellery. Higher machine investment, lower volume, much higher per-unit margin. Often involves B2B clients — companies, sports organisations, medical and industrial manufacturers. Key characteristics: Longer sales cycle, larger orders, specialist knowledge adds value. Machine ROI measured in weeks rather than months once clients are established. Right machines: F1 Ultra or F2 Ultra MOPA for metal and trophy work; F2 Ultra UV for crystal and glass engraving. Machine Recommendations by Business Type Business type Recommended machine Why Market stall / on-site personalisation F1 Portable Battery-compatible, 2kg, IR for metal, 4,000mm/s speed Etsy / online gift shop (organic materials) S1 40W High-power enclosed diode, Class 1 safe, high throughput Etsy / online gift shop (metal + organic) F1 Ultra Metal + organic in one machine, 10,000mm/s galvo production speed Sign making and acrylic fabrication P2S 55W CO2 — only technology that cuts clear acrylic cleanly Trophy and awards F1 Ultra Metal marking at galvo speed, precision on small plaques Crystal and glass gifts (premium) F2 Ultra UV 3D inner glass engraving — no other machine does this Jewellery personalisation F1 Ultra or F2 Ultra MOPA Fiber precision on precious metals; MOPA adds colour capability Industrial part marking (B2B) F2 Ultra MOPA 60W MOPA — industrial traceability marking standard Best-Selling Product Categories These consistently generate strong margins across laser businesses: Personalised wooden gifts: Name boards, family signs, wedding gifts, keepsake boxes. Low material cost (€3–8), sell for €25–80. Diode or CO2. Metal keyrings and tags: Engraved with names, dates, or logos in steel or aluminium. Material cost under €2, sell for €10–20. IR or fiber laser required. Acrylic signage: Business name signs, door plaques, event signage. Material €5–20, sell for €30–150. CO2 required for clear acrylic. Leather goods: Wallets, belts, notebook covers with engraved initials or patterns. Material €5–15, sell for €35–80. Diode or CO2. Crystal trophies: 3D inner-engraved awards for sports, corporate, and education. Material €8–25, sell for €60–200. UV laser required. Stainless steel tumblers: Personalised drinkware, high-repeat corporate orders. Material €8–15, sell for €30–60. CO2 or rotary diode. The Economics — What to Expect Laser businesses typically operate at 70–85% gross margin on materials (material cost is low relative to sale price). The main costs are machine amortisation, consumables (lenses, air filters, nozzles), and time. A personalisation business processing 10 orders per day at an average of €35 each generates €350/day gross revenue. On a 20-day working month, that is €7,000 — against a machine cost of €1,549–€3,899 depending on machine choice. Most well-run laser businesses recover machine cost within 2–6 months of reaching steady-state order volume. The machines with the fastest production speeds (F1 Ultra at 10,000mm/s, P3 at 1,000mm/s) offer the clearest throughput advantage at volume — when you are turning down orders because the machine can't keep up, upgrading to a faster machine pays for itself directly. Getting Started — Practical First Steps Choose your primary material and product category before choosing a machine — the machine follows the material, not the other way around. Start with one product line, perfect it, then expand. The most successful laser businesses start narrow and go deep before broadening. xTool Creative Space is free and handles everything from design import to machine control. LightBurn (paid) is available for users who want advanced control and is fully compatible with all xTool machines. The xTool community (Facebook groups, Printables, Reddit) is one of the most active maker communities in the market — a practical resource for settings, project ideas, and troubleshooting. Available from Eolas Prints Eolas Prints is an authorised xTool reseller based in Cantabria, Spain. We stock the complete xTool range and ship across Europe. If you are starting a laser business and want advice on machine selection for your specific product category, contact us before you buy — getting the right machine for your business model makes a significant difference to your early revenue.

Every laser engraver or cutter uses one of a small number of laser technologies. The technology determines which materials the machine can process — not just which ones it does better. Understanding the physics of each laser type takes the guesswork out of machine selection and prevents costly mistakes when sourcing equipment for a specific application. How Lasers Interact with Materials — The Core Principle A laser is a focused beam of light at a specific wavelength. Whether a material is processed by that laser depends almost entirely on whether the material absorbs that wavelength. Glass is transparent to visible light but absorbs infrared. Aluminium reflects visible light but absorbs UV photons. Organic materials like wood and leather absorb broadly across wavelengths but particularly efficiently in the infrared range. This is why there is no single laser that processes every material equally well — the physics won't allow it. Diode Lasers (450–455nm) Modern desktop diode lasers use semiconductor lasers in the blue wavelength range. This wavelength is absorbed efficiently by most organic and dark-coloured materials and is the starting point for most xTool buyers. Processes well: Wood, bamboo, leather, cork, rubber, fabric, paper, dark and opaque acrylic, anodised aluminium, painted surfaces. At 40W, cuts basswood up to 25mm. Cannot process: Bare metal (reflected), clear acrylic (transmitted), glass (transmitted), white or very light acrylic (insufficient absorption). The galvo diode advantage: When a diode source is paired with galvanometer mirror steering rather than a moving gantry, engraving speed leaps from 400–600 mm/s to 4,000 mm/s. This is the architecture of the xTool F1 and F2 — the same diode wavelength at dramatically higher throughput. For high-volume engraving on organic materials, galvo diode is the most cost-effective production technology available. xTool diode machines: M1 Smart, M1 Ultra, S1 (enclosed, 20W/40W), F1 Portable (galvo), F2 (galvo). Infrared Laser (1064nm) At 1064nm, metal surfaces absorb the beam rather than reflecting it. This is the entry point to metal processing. IR modules at 2–5W (as found in the xTool F1 and F2) are specifically suited for marking bare metals — stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper — and technical plastics and ceramics that diode lasers cannot mark cleanly. In practice, most IR module users are jewellers, metalworkers, market traders doing personalisation, and sign makers who need occasional metal marking alongside organic material work. The dual-source architecture (diode + IR in one machine) makes this accessible without purchasing separate machines. Fiber Laser (1064nm) Fiber lasers also operate at 1064nm but at significantly higher power than IR modules. Where a 2W IR module marks the surface, a 20W fiber laser engraves deeply, marks with high contrast and permanence, and cuts thin sheet metal. The xTool F1 Ultra cuts stainless steel up to 0.3mm and aluminium up to 0.2mm — capabilities impossible with diode or CO2 technology. Combined with galvo steering at 10,000 mm/s, the F1 Ultra processes metal jobs at speeds that make commercial production volumes viable from a desktop machine. Fifty engraved metal tags that would take hours on a gantry take minutes on the F1 Ultra. MOPA Fiber Laser MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) fiber lasers provide independent control over pulse width and frequency — parameters that standard fiber lasers cannot separate. This unlocks three capabilities unavailable in standard fiber: Full colour spectrum on stainless steel: Different pulse widths produce different oxide thicknesses, producing different visible colours. Blue, gold, purple, red, and true black are all reproducible and permanent without pigments. True black on bare aluminium: Standard fiber produces grey marks on aluminium. MOPA's short pulses produce genuine black oxide — the industry standard for aluminium part marking. Coating-precise removal: MOPA removes coatings without thermal spread into the substrate — essential for electronics, precision instruments, and complex coated surfaces. The xTool F2 Ultra's 60W MOPA is competitive with industrial fiber systems at a fraction of the cost. For businesses where colour marking on metal is a core product offering, MOPA is the correct technology. CO2 Laser (10,600nm) CO2 lasers emit at 10,600nm — far infrared. Organic materials absorb this wavelength with extremely high efficiency. The result is decisive cutting power on wood, acrylic, leather, paper, and fabric that diode lasers cannot match at comparable wattage. A 55W CO2 cuts 18mm basswood in a single pass; a 40W diode requires multiple passes on the same thickness. CO2 also produces a flame-polished edge on cast acrylic — optically clear, smooth, requiring no post-processing. This is why CO2 is the standard technology for sign shops, furniture makers, and acrylic fabricators. Cannot process: Bare metal. The 10,600nm wavelength reflects off metal surfaces entirely. xTool CO2 machines: P2S (55W), P3 (80W with AI fire detection). UV Laser (355nm) UV lasers at 355nm operate through photochemical ablation — high-energy photons break molecular bonds directly, removing material without significant heat generation. This is categorically different from thermal laser processing and enables applications no other laser technology can achieve. 3D inner glass engraving: The UV beam focused inside transparent glass creates micro-fractures within the material volume — building 3D structures suspended inside glass or crystal objects. Crystal trophies, personalised glass blocks, and premium glassware decoration require this technology and nothing else. Heat-sensitive materials: Electronics, precision plastics, silicone, and coated surfaces that thermal lasers melt or discolour are marked cleanly by UV's cold processing mechanism. Ceramics and porcelain: Fired ceramic surfaces receive clean, burn-free marks without the thermal cracking risk of infrared lasers. xTool UV machine: F2 Ultra UV (5W, 15,000 mm/s via galvo, dual 48MP cameras). Technology Decision Matrix Application Correct technology xTool machine Cutting thick wood, acrylic, leather CO2 P2S or P3 Engraving and cutting organic materials Diode S1 40W or M1 Smart High-speed batch engraving on organics Galvo diode F2 (15W + 5W IR) Marking bare metal Fiber or IR F1 Portable or F1 Ultra Colour engraving on stainless steel Fiber (20W+) F1 Ultra Industrial colour + deep metal marking MOPA (60W) F2 Ultra MOPA 3D inner glass, ceramics, cold processing UV F2 Ultra UV Vinyl cutting + laser in one machine Diode + blade M1 Smart or M1 Ultra Print + cut (colour printing on hard surfaces) Diode + inkjet + blade M1 Ultra or M2 Color Craft Available from Eolas Prints Eolas Prints is an authorised xTool reseller based in Cantabria, Spain, offering the complete xTool range across all laser technologies. Contact us with your material and application requirements — we'll identify the correct technology and machine before you spend.

Choosing a laser engraver or cutter is not as simple as picking a wattage and clicking buy. The xTool range spans eleven machines across five fundamentally different laser technologies — each suited to a different set of materials, workflows, and business models. This guide cuts through the confusion with a practical framework: understand your materials first, then choose the technology, then choose the machine. The One Question That Decides Everything: What Do You Need to Process? Every laser technology has a wavelength, and every material absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects or transmits others. A laser that works beautifully on wood will do nothing to bare metal. A CO2 laser that cuts acrylic cleanly cannot mark stainless steel. Before comparing machines, answer this: what materials will you work with most? The Five xTool Laser Technologies at a Glance Technology Wavelength Best for Cannot process Diode laser 450–455nm Wood, leather, acrylic (opaque), fabric Bare metal, clear acrylic, glass Infrared (IR) 1064nm Metal marking, ceramics, technical plastics Thick cutting Fiber 1064nm Deep metal engraving, colour on steel, thin metal cutting Organic materials (use diode) MOPA fiber 1064nm Full colour metal engraving, black on aluminium Organic materials CO2 10,600nm Thick wood and acrylic cutting, production output Bare metal UV 355nm 3D inner glass engraving, cold processing, ceramics Thick material cutting The Complete xTool Range — Every Machine Mapped Machine Technology Price Primary use case M2 Color Craft Diode + UV + blade + pen €655 Colour printing on hard materials M1 Smart 10W Diode + blade €1,199 Laser engraving + vinyl cutting M1 Ultra 10W Diode + blade + inkjet + pen €1,849 Print-and-cut, 4-in-1 workflows S1 (20W/40W) Diode, Class 1 enclosed €1,410+ Safe enclosed high-power diode F1 Portable 10W Diode + 2W IR, galvo €1,549 Portable metal + organic, 4,000mm/s F2 (5W IR) 15W Diode + 5W IR, galvo €1,549 Dual-laser galvo, 400×400mm area F1 Ultra 20W Fiber + 20W Diode, galvo €3,899 Colour steel, deep metal, 10,000mm/s P2S 55W CO2 €4,199 Thick wood/acrylic cutting, sign making F2 Ultra UV 5W UV, galvo €4,649 3D inner glass, ceramics, cold processing P3 80W CO2 €7,049 Production CO2, AI fire safety F2 Ultra MOPA 60W MOPA + 40W Diode, galvo €7,299 Industrial MOPA colour, deep marking Choosing by Budget Under €1,000 — Creative Entry Point The M2 Color Craft at €655 combines UV laser, diode, blade cutter, and pen plotter for full-colour prints directly onto wood, acrylic, and hard surfaces. It's the most versatile machine at this price and the only desktop device that does full-colour printing without ink cartridges. €1,000–€2,000 — Serious Studio For pure diode power in a safe enclosed format, the S1 40W is the most capable enclosed diode laser available. For users who also need metal marking capability, the F1 Portable adds 2W IR and galvo speed at the same price point. The M1 Smart is the right choice if vinyl cutting is part of the workflow. €2,000–€5,000 — Small Business Production Two very different machines serve this tier. The P2S is for businesses whose primary material is thick wood, acrylic, or leather — sign shops, furniture makers, craft studios. The F1 Ultra is for personalisation businesses working with metals at volume — trophies, jewellery, branded merchandise. These two machines serve opposite ends of the material spectrum at the same price tier. €5,000+ — Professional and Industrial The P3 at €7,049 adds 80W CO2 power, larger build volume, AI fire detection, and built-in CO2 suppression — the choice for production CO2 operations where the machine runs all day. The F2 Ultra MOPA at €7,299 delivers 60W MOPA fiber capability — the right choice for industrial metal colour engraving, deep marking of hard metals, and applications requiring the full MOPA colour spectrum on stainless steel. Quick Decision Guide Answer these questions in order: Do you need to mark bare metal? Yes → you need a fiber or IR laser (F1, F1 Ultra, F2, F2 Ultra). No → continue. Do you need to cut wood over 10mm thick or any clear acrylic? Yes → CO2 (P2S or P3). No → continue. Do you need to engrave inside glass or on heat-sensitive materials? Yes → UV (F2 Ultra UV). No → continue. Do you need high-speed batch production? Yes → galvo machine (F1, F1 Ultra, F2, F2 Ultra). No → continue. Do you need vinyl cutting alongside laser? Yes → M1 Smart or M1 Ultra. No → S1 is your enclosed diode entry point. Available from Eolas Prints Eolas Prints is an authorised xTool reseller based in Cantabria, Spain, serving customers across Europe. Every machine in this guide is in stock. Not sure which is right for your application? Contact us — we advise based on your specific materials and workflow before you buy.