Laser Settings for Metal
How you laser metal depends on the laser. Fiber and MOPA lasers mark and engrave bare metal directly; CO2 and diode lasers mostly work on coatings, anodizing, or with a marking spray.
2 community settings from 1 machine. Select a material for its full settings, notes, and photos.
Metal engraving settings
| Material | Machine | Speed | Power | Density | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black MarkMetal - Silver | xTool F1 | 2 mm/s | 100% | 300 LPCM | 1 |
| Monarch Pine Silver Engrave - SilverMetal | xTool F1 | 5 mm/s | 100% | 300 LPCM | 1 |
Tips for lasering metal
- Fiber and MOPA
- Frequency, pulse width, and fill spacing control whether you get a shallow mark, a deep engrave, or color annealing on stainless steel.
- Anodized and coated metal
- CO2 and diode lasers can remove anodizing and powder coat to reveal bright metal underneath, which is how most tumbler and card engraving is done.
- Marking spray
- On bare steel, CO2 and diode lasers need a marking spray or paste that bonds to the surface under the beam.
- Reflective metals
- Polished copper, brass, and silver reflect a lot of energy. They usually need more power, slower speed, or a fiber laser.
New to these terms? Read how laser settings work, or convert LPI and line interval with the line density converter.
Before you run these settings
Settings vary between individual machines, even of the same model: lens, focus, alignment, air assist, and the exact material all change the result. Run a small test grid on scrap from the same sheet first, never leave the laser unattended, and never cut PVC or vinyl.