What laser cutting costs in 2026
Rough estimates before shipping, not quotes. Material, thickness and total cut length move the number more than anything else.
By material and thickness (USD)
| Material | Laser | Cutting rate | Setup fee | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic 3 mm (1/8 in) | CO2 | $1.00–1.75 / min | $15–30 | 2–4 days |
| Acrylic 6 mm (1/4 in) | CO2 | $1.50–2.50 / min | $15–30 | 2–5 days |
| Plywood 3 mm (1/8 in) | CO2 | $0.90–1.50 / min | $15–25 | 2–4 days |
| Plywood 6 mm (1/4 in) | CO2 | $1.40–2.25 / min | $15–30 | 2–5 days |
| MDF 3–6 mm | CO2 | $0.90–1.75 / min | $15–25 | 2–4 days |
| Mild steel 1–3 mm | Fiber | $2.00–4.00 / min | $25–40 | 3–7 days |
| Stainless 1–3 mm | Fiber | $2.50–5.00 / min | $25–40 | 3–7 days |
| Aluminum 1–3 mm | Fiber | $2.50–5.00 / min | $25–40 | 3–7 days |
Rough estimates, not quotes. Rates are machine time; material is billed on top unless you supply the sheet. Full-sheet jobs are usually quoted per sheet instead.
Example jobs (USD, material included)
| Job | Low | Typical | High | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 acrylic keychains, 3 mm, one-color engraving | $90 | $120–180 | $260+ | 3–5 days |
| 24×36 in wooden sign, 6 mm plywood, cut + engraved | $110 | $160–260 | $400+ | 4–7 days |
| 100 mild steel brackets, 2 mm, flat (no bending) | $220 | $320–480 | $700+ | 5–10 days |
| Wedding place cards ×120, 3 mm acrylic or wood, engraved names | $180 | $260–380 | $550+ | 5–7 days |
| Architectural model parts, 1–3 mm chipboard/acrylic, 4 sheets | $120 | $180–320 | $500+ | 2–4 days |
Rough estimates, not quotes. Assumes a clean, cut-ready file. Rush, finishing and shipping are extra.
What moves the price
- Material — Acrylic, plywood and MDF cut on a CO2 laser at $1–2 per minute. Steel, stainless and aluminum need a fiber laser and cost two to three times more per minute, plus pricier stock.
- Thickness — Doubling thickness roughly doubles the cut time on CO2 and adds gas and power on fiber. 6 mm acrylic is not twice the price of 3 mm, but it's close.
- Total cut length — Shops bill by machine minutes, and minutes come from linear distance cut. Intricate filigree with hundreds of small holes costs far more than a simple outline of the same size.
- Quantity — Setup is paid once. Ten parts might be $60; a hundred is rarely $600. Expect 10–30% off the per-part price past 25, more past 100.
- File quality (DXF / SVG / AI) — A clean vector with closed paths, no duplicate lines and cut/engrave layers separated goes straight to the machine. A PNG, or a vector that needs repair, adds $30–90 of design time.
- Finishing — Flame-polished acrylic edges, sanded or stained wood, deburred metal, paint fill on engraving, peeling protective film: each is a per-part labor line.
- Rush — Under 48 hours is a rush. Expect +30–50%, and expect some shops to pass.
How to brief a laser shop (paste this into your post)
- The cut file: DXF, SVG, AI or PDF at 1:1 scale, with units stated (mm or inches).
- Material and thickness, and whether you're supplying the sheet.
- Which lines are cut, which are engraved, and which are score marks — separate layers or colors.
- Quantity, and whether you'll accept a partial first shipment.
- Finished size of the largest part, so the shop can check bed size.
- Finishing: raw, deburred, polished edges, paint-filled engraving, protective film left on.
- Date you need it in hand, and your ship-to country and postcode.
- Budget range. Shops bid better against a real number.