Laser cutting questions
How much does laser cutting cost?
Most shops bill machine time plus a setup fee: roughly $1–2 per minute on a CO2 laser for acrylic, wood and MDF, $2–5 per minute on a fiber laser for steel, stainless and aluminum, with setup of $15–40 per job. A batch of 50 acrylic keychains runs $120–180; 100 flat steel brackets $320–480. See the price guide for the full tables.
What file formats do laser shops accept?
DXF is the safest, followed by SVG, AI, EPS and vector PDF. Draw at 1:1 scale, state the units, close every path, delete duplicate lines and put cuts, scores and engraving on separate layers. A PNG or JPG can be traced, but the shop will charge for the conversion.
Is there a minimum order?
The platform doesn't set one. One-offs and prototypes are fine to post; a shop's setup fee is what makes a single part relatively expensive. If you need one sign or one prototype enclosure, post it.
Fiber laser vs CO2 — which do I need?
CO2 lasers cut and engrave organics and plastics: acrylic, plywood, MDF, leather, paper, and can mark coated metals. Fiber lasers cut sheet metal — mild steel, stainless, aluminum, brass — and are the right choice for brackets, panels and enclosures. Say which material you need so the right shops can bid.
How accurate is laser cutting?
Typical tolerance is ±0.1–0.2 mm (±0.004–0.008 in) on thin sheet, with a kerf of about 0.1–0.3 mm on CO2 and 0.1–0.2 mm on fiber. If parts need to press-fit or slot together, say so and the shop will offset for kerf. Thick acrylic edges taper slightly; note it if it matters.
Can I get engraving as well as cutting?
Yes. Raster engraving (logos, photos, names) and vector scoring (fine lines) are billed on top of cutting, usually by area or minutes. Personalized runs — place cards, tags, awards — are common; supply names in a spreadsheet and the shop will merge them.
How long does laser cutting take?
Small acrylic, wood and MDF jobs ship in 2–5 days; sheet-metal jobs in 3–7; larger runs and anything with finishing in 1–2 weeks. Under 48 hours is a rush at +30–50%. Post early: rushed deadlines cost more.
Do shops ship, and can I find one near me?
Shop profiles can show a location, and you can ask about shipping before you accept a bid; flat parts pack cheaply. Say 'local pickup preferred' in the post if you want to collect a large sign or check a first article in person. For bigger batches, a shop in another country can be worth it.