How to Use a Laser Cutter

Step 2: Materials - Part 2 - The Hardware

Now that we have (or know how to go about getting access to) a laser cutter, let's move onto what materials we can cut, and basic things we can do with them.

Cast Acrylic - can be etched and cut (has a nice frosted appearance).
Extruded Acrylic - can be cut (does not frost when etched).

Laser safe plastic such as ABS and polycarbonate - can be both etched and cut.

(PVC and vinyl are not laser safe - see step 4)

Anodized Aluminum - can be etched (Black anodized aluminum provides best contrast out of all anodized aluminum)

Brass - un-coated brass can not be etched with a laser, it needs to have some kind of coating (such as paint).

Glass - can be etched. This includes bottles (both full and empty) drinking glasses, and plain flat glass. Requires a more special technique to etch well.

Wood - can be both etched and cut

Too High of a power can distort engraved images.

There are also several materials that places won't tell you you can cut, such as:
Skin
Cake
Chocolate
Gingerbread
Meat
Pancakes
Finger Nails
Card Stock
Paper
Stamps