--- title: "Material Tips: Wood Engraving & Cutting" description: Wood Engraving & Cutting Tips:  --- [Skip to content](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/material-tips-wood#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![logo h white.png\]](https://cptest.aplazer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Logos/logo%20h%20white.png?height=40&name=logo%20h%20white.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - Go to AP Lazer Go to AP Lazer Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Materials and Laser Settings](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/materials-and-laser-settings?hsLang=en) # Material Tips: Wood Engraving & Cutting ## Wood Engraving & Cutting Tips: - With wood being a very versatile material, it is difficult to set a standard for engravement. To help find the right power and speed settings to achieve your desired result, it is important to understand the type of wood you are working with. When engraved and burned, lighter colored woods, such as white ash, will have a much greater contrast compared to darker colored woods such as oak, for example. Also significant to the outcome of your project is the density of the wood. Oak, being a harder wood, would not engrave as deeply as a softer wood such as ash, with the same power and speed settings. The best way to perfect your methods is to determine your desired contrast and depth and adjust your power and speed settings accordingly. - It is also recommended to be mindful of the grain direction in the wood with respect to the layout and orientation of your design. Another common problem that users experience is discoloration of the surrounding areas due to burning. One simple solution for this problem is to use masking tape to protect the surface of the wood. After the design is complete and the tape is removed, it is also helpful to clean the surface Hydrogen Peroxide or fine sandpaper. - Also when cutting wood or acrylic, replace the air assist compressor with shop air or an air tool compressor, setting the air pressure at around 20 psi, this will blow the flame down and reduce the burning. For acrylic, adjusting the air pressure can result in a smoother cutting surface. - [Maintenance](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/maintenance?hsLang=en) - [Suggested Power and Speed Settings](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/suggested-power-and-speed-settings?hsLang=en) - [Rotary](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/rotary?hsLang=en) - [Laser Safety](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/laser-safety?hsLang=en) - [Materials and Laser Settings](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/materials-and-laser-settings?hsLang=en) - [Galvo Fiber Laser Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/galvo-fiber-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Manufacturing Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/galvo-fiber-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#manufacturing-documentation) - [OEM Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/galvo-fiber-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#oem-documentation) - [Technical Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/galvo-fiber-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#technical-documentation) - [Machine Wiring Diagrams](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/galvo-fiber-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#machine-wiring-diagrams) - [CO2 Laser Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/co2-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CO2 Laser -- Technical Documents](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/co2-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#co2-laser-technical-documents) - [CO2 Laser -- Laser Cut Documentation](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/co2-laser-documentation?hsLang=en#co2-laser-laser-cut-documentation) - [General -- Technical Documents](https://cptest.aplazer.com/en/knowledge/general-technical-documents?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://cptest.aplazer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Logos/AP%20Lazer%20Logo.png?width=150&height=43&name=AP%20Lazer%20Logo.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://aplazer.com) Copyright © AP Laser Copyright © 2026, AP Lazer