Laser Cutting

How to use and troubleshoot issues using our Laser Cutter

Laser Safe Materials

A list of materials that are safe to cut and engrave on a laser as well as forbidden materials

Laser Safe Materials

Laser Safe Materials

In general, organic products like wood, cardboard, leather, can be cut and engraved. 

Additionally, acrylic plastics can be cut and engraved. 

Many harder materials like stone, ceramic & glass can be engraved but not cut.

If you are not sure PLEASE ASK staff! DO NOT CUT any material that you are not sure if it is safe!!!

Preparing your file for the Epilog Laser

Preparing your file for the Epilog Laser

File Prep

Preparing your file for Vector Cutting (cutting through material)

  1. Use Inkscape (free) or another vector graphic program like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
  2. Vector cuts need a stroke (or outline) on your objects’ path. Set the stroke to black and the width to .001”.
  3. “Save As” your file in PDF format. Try to limit filename to 8 characters or less.
  4. Copy PDF onto our PC next to the laser (use SD card, USB Drive or Google Drive or similiar)
  5. Double-click file to launch in Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer, then hit CTRL+P to print
  6. At Print Dialog Screen, Click on “Properties” tab (top-center)
  7. At Epilog Dialog Screen, Click on “Advanced”
  8. Click once onto chosen Material & Setting, then Click “LOAD”
  9. Click on General Tab to return to Epilog Dialog Screen
  10. Review speed and power settings
  11. Adjust size of your project (bottom-center)
  12. Click OK
  13. Back at Printer Dialog Screen, verify thumbnail looks accurate. Verify “Actual Size” is checked, not “Fit”
  14. Click PRINT
  15. Go to Laser Control Panel on laser and select your job. Jobs are listed in the order they were sent and show the minutes and seconds each job will take.
  16. After operation, take note of the minutes of laser time used and pay the makerspace $1 per minute via Paypal manager@bellinghammakerspace.org

Preparing your file for Raster Engraving (for etching/engraving material)

  1. Use any kind of graphics program you are comfortable with. Photoshop or GIMP (free) are popular.
  2. Consider your DPI (or resolution). 300 or above is photo quality, but will also take longer to engrave.
  3. Test our different Dithering modes for best quality with your art and material. Black-only art does not need a dithering setting, only grays.
  4. Save your file as a PDF.
  5. Prepare your laser cutter settings.

Laser Cutter Operations