Three Key Indicators for Choosing the Right Acrylic Sheet for Laser Etching

Choosing the right acrylic sheet is the key to achieving the best results with laser engraving. We’ll guide you through the three most important factors–thickness, light transmission, and color–to help you avoid the pitfalls of material selection, and make it easy to find the right acrylic sheet for your project, so you can improve the quality of your work and your success rate.

Why should acrylic sheets affect the effect of laser engraving?

Many people who have just begun using laser engraving have probably encountered this situation: The original design is very fine, but the finished product is blurred, yellowed, or cracked at the edges.The quality and characteristics of the acrylic sheeting have a direct effect on the efficiency of the laser absorption, the accuracy of the cutting, and the final product.Today we'll look at three very practical indicators to help you quickly find the "right" board.

The first key indicator is the thickness of the wood.

Too thin and they are easily deformed, too thick and it takes too much time and effort.

The thickness of acrylic sheets commonly found on the market ranges from 1 to 10 mm.For small objects such as key chains and cell phone stands, a thickness of 2-3mm is about right--enough to ensure structural stability while also preventing the edges from being burned too much by the laser.For making light boxes or three-dimensional signboards, it is recommended that you use boards of 5 mm or more. But you have to slow down the speed of the engraving, otherwise it will be easy for the edges to bubble from the buildup of heat.

Tip: First do a test on the edges.

He would take scrap material and experiment with different power and speed combinations, observing whether the surface was smooth.White smoke means the power is too high, and rough edges could mean the speed is too fast.

Key indicator two: Light transmission and color.

The degree of light transmission determines the effect of light and shadow.

If you want to make neon signs or transparent decorations, choose a transparent or translucent panel with a light transmission of 90 % or more.Although dark boards have a high-class look, they have a light transmittance of less than 50 %, so the laser power must be raised to achieve a clear pattern, and if one is not careful, the laser will burn the wood, leaving an ugly mark.

White boards are the easiest to knock over.

To hide impurities, white acrylic is usually dyed with a greater amount of colorant.These additives tend to carbonize when heated, which causes the carved parts to turn yellow.If you must use white, be sure to select a model marked "laser-safe" or use a frosted surface to reduce the reflection.

Key indicator 3: Purity of materials and additives.

The biggest problem is the raw materials.

Some low-priced materials contain recycled plastic, which can emit an unpleasant odor when laser-engraved, and can also leave irregular markings.Here's a way to tell the difference: Light the edge of the plastic with a lighter. If it's pure acrylic, the flame will be clear and there will be no black smoke. If it's recycled material, it will smoke heavily and the flame will form clumps.

UV coatings should be used carefully.

UV-protected boards are suitable for outdoor use, but the coating can peel off in high temperatures.If you want to paint the board after carving, it is better to use a blank board and spray on the protective coating yourself.

The bottom line: Choose the right material for the job.

Just remember this little rhyme: For small pieces, choose a thin board. For large pieces, add to the thickness. For translucency, choose according to your needs. For color, don't pick one that's too dark. For carving, use a special carving board with half the normal impurities.The next time you go shopping, bring along a specific piece of work to compare the parameters with, and you will pick out exactly what you want.