Laser Engraving & Cutting Cardboard

Why Cardboard Is the Best Material for Laser Engraving

Cardboard is an incredibly versatile and affordable material for laser engraving and cutting projects. Designers and manufacturers worldwide rely on it for its unique physical properties and cost-effectiveness.

As one of the most affordable options available, cardboard allows businesses to bring their creative ideas to life using laser cutting machines.

Compared to other materials, its low cost, lightweight nature, and fast transportability make it an optimal choice for many laser cutting applications.

LASECUTMY 960  80W Pro CO2 Laser Engraver Machine

Types of Cardboard Used for Laser Engraving and Cutting

Cardboard is a broad term used to describe a range of thick, durable paper products with specific mechanical properties, such as rigidity, foldability, and impact resistance. The material can vary greatly in structure, from thick boards to multi-layered corrugated fiberboard.

Various Types of Cardboard

• Cardboard Sheets

This category includes different types of cardboard products like business cards, postcards, and scrapbooking materials. These cards, made from thicker paper or pasteboard, offer superior durability compared to regular paper and are ideal for laser engraving.

• Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated fiberboard, made from three layers of kraft paper, is a strong yet lightweight material commonly used for packaging. The inner corrugated layer gives it strength and flexibility. Corrugated cardboard is particularly popular in the packaging industry due to its affordability and durability.

Advantages of Corrugated Fiberboard:

1. Lightweight: Easy to handle and transport.
2. Affordable: Cost-effective compared to other packaging materials.

• Matboard

Primarily used for photo framing, matboard protects artwork or photos and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

It comes in various types, including standard, white-core, black-core, and color-core matboards, and is also suitable for laser engraving.

• Paperboard

Paperboard, or carton board, is a thinner form of cardboard used in applications such as cereal boxes and toilet paper rolls. While not as strong as corrugated fiberboard, paperboard is lighter and still suitable for non-load-bearing applications.

• Solid Boxboard: White-coated, medium-density cardboard used for durable yet lightweight packaging (e.g., cereal and shoe boxes).
• Grey Paperboard: Typically made from recycled materials, this board is commonly used in packaging.

How to Laser Cut and Engrave Cardboard?

Laser cutting and engraving offer high precision when working with cardboard materials. Here's how the process works:

Laser Cutting

At LasercutMY laser, we have 80W CO2 laser engraving machines because they can cut all types of non-metal materials at high speeds. Next, we use the machine to do a comparison experiment of cutting and engraving on the cardboard for your reference.

MACHINE: Co2 Laser Engraving  80W1390  CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine
MATERIAL: One piece of 3mm Cardboard

PARAMETER SETTINGS（CUTTING）:

Cutting speed: 15mm/s
Cutting power: 25%—30%
Laser engraving:
Laser engraving is a subtractive manufacturing method based on using a laser beam to change the surface of an object. This process allows the creation of an image visible to the naked eye on the object. The heat from the laser is enough to smash the substance, creating a cavity that makes up the final image. This is a fast method because every pulse of the laser removes material.

Engraving

MACHINE: Co2 Laser Engraving  80W1390  CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine
MATERIAL: One piece of 3mm Cardboard

PARAMETER SETTINGS（ENGRAVING）:
Engraving speed: 500 mm/s
Engraving power: 20%—25%

Important Considerations:

• Flutes in Corrugated Cardboard: When rastering (engraving) corrugated cardboard, the uneven flutes can cause inconsistencies in the design.
• Flammability: Corrugated cardboard is highly flammable, so proper safety precautions are essential when laser cutting.

Common Applications of Laser-Cut Cardboard

Cardboard’s affordability and durability make it a go-to material for a variety of applications, from custom packaging to creative arts. Some popular uses for laser-cut cardboard include:

• Arts & Crafts: Create unique, custom designs for DIY projects.
• Custom Packaging & Boxes: Design sturdy and branded packaging solutions.
• Business Cards & Professional Supplies: Craft high-quality business cards and promotional materials.
• Signs & Displays: Engrave promotional signs or display boards.
• Greeting Cards & Invitations: Design custom cards for special occasions, including weddings and birthdays.

Cardboard is a flexible, low-cost material for a wide range of laser cutting and engraving projects.

Whether you’re looking to create unique art pieces, custom packaging, or professional materials, cardboard offers an excellent solution for your needs.