Laser Cutting & Engraving Materials Guide | CO2 Laser
Share
Rob Krause
Owner, Battle Born Clothing & Print - Yerington, NV - Published March 13, 2026
TL;DR - What the CO2 Laser Does and Does Not Do
Our CO2 laser engraves and cuts leather, wood, acrylic, fabric, paper, and rubber. It engraves (but does not cut) glass, stone, and powder-coated or anodized metals. It cannot mark bare uncoated metal - that requires a fiber laser, which is a different machine entirely. This guide covers every material we work with, what the results look like, and when a project falls outside CO2 laser capability so you know before you ask.
The CO2 laser is one of four production tools in our shop alongside the M&R Gauntlet automatic press, Happy multi-head embroidery machines, and DTF printer. Each tool serves a specific purpose. The laser is not a replacement for screen printing or embroidery any more than a drill press is a replacement for a table saw. It does things the other tools cannot do, and it does them permanently.
Materials the CO2 Laser Engraves and Cuts
| Material | Engrave | Cut | What We Make With It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather (real) | Yes | Yes | Hat patches, holsters, belts, tags, keychains |
| Leather (faux/PU) | Yes | Yes | Budget patches (we recommend real leather) |
| Wood (hardwood, plywood, MDF, bamboo) | Yes | Yes | Signs, displays, awards, custom pieces |
| Acrylic | Yes | Yes | Awards, signage, displays, name plates |
| Powder-coated metal | Yes | No | Tumblers, drinkware, coated tools, equipment tags |
| Anodized aluminum | Yes | No | Name plates, ID tags, asset labels |
| Glass | Yes | No | Etched glassware, awards, decorative pieces |
| Fabric (cotton, polyester, felt) | Yes | Yes | Applique pieces, pattern cutting |
| Paper / cardboard | Yes | Yes | Invitations, packaging inserts, stencils |
| Rubber | Yes | Yes | Custom stamps |
| Stone / slate | Yes | No | Coasters, memorial plaques, decorative pieces |
| Bare uncoated metal | No* | No | *Requires fiber laser (different wavelength) |
How CO2 Laser Engraving Works
A CO2 laser generates an infrared beam at a wavelength of 10.6 microns. Organic materials (leather, wood, acrylic, fabric) absorb this wavelength efficiently, which is why CO2 lasers excel at working with them. The focused beam vaporizes material at the point of contact. For engraving, the laser is set to remove only the surface layer, creating a visible mark. For cutting, the power is increased and speed decreased so the beam passes completely through the material.
Powder-coated and anodized metals work because the laser removes the coating (an organic layer) to expose the bare metal underneath. The contrast between the colored coating and the silver steel creates the design. The laser is not marking the metal itself. This is a critical distinction: if you need to mark bare, uncoated stainless steel or aluminum, you need a fiber laser operating at 1.06 microns. CO2 and fiber are completely different tools for different jobs.
"Fiber lasers work best for stainless steel, while CO2 lasers excel on powder-coated and glass tumblers. The CO2 wavelength is absorbed well by organic materials, making it ideal for leather, wood, and acrylic work."
OneLaser - Laser Engraving Resource
What We Build With the Laser
Leather Patches for Hats
Our most popular laser product. The CO2 laser engraves the design and cuts the patch shape from the leather sheet in one operation. Custom die-cut shapes (Nevada outlines, logo contours, circles, shields) set our patches apart from generic rectangles. Patches are attached via heat press or premium hand-sewn on the Cowboy CB3500.
Custom Drinkware
Tumblers mount on a rotary attachment that spins them in sync with the laser head. The laser removes the powder coat to expose stainless steel, creating a permanent design. YETI for premium corporate gifts, Polar Camel for affordable bulk promotions.
Leather Holsters and Goods
The laser engraves logos and designs into leather. The Cowboy CB3500 sews it together. Custom holsters, belts, tags, and specialty leather products. The CB3500 handles up to 7/8" thick material with V415 thread, giving us holster and belt-grade sewing capability paired with laser precision.
Wood and Acrylic
Signs, awards, displays, name plates, and custom pieces. Wood engraves with a rich charred contrast. Acrylic cuts with polished edges and engraves with a frosted white appearance. Both materials are popular for corporate awards and retail displays.
Industrial Asset Marking
Powder-coated tools, equipment housings, and coated metal components can be permanently marked with serial numbers, logos, safety information, or identification codes. Useful for mining operations and industrial facilities that need to track equipment.
Fabric and Applique
The laser cuts fabric with sealed edges (no fraying) and extreme precision. This is useful for embroidery applique pieces where a fabric shape is laid under the stitching for a layered dimensional look.
What the CO2 Laser Cannot Do
Mark bare uncoated metal: The CO2 wavelength (10.6 microns) bounces off bare stainless steel and aluminum. If you need a logo on a bare metal part, tool, or surface, that requires a fiber laser (1.06 micron wavelength). We will tell you upfront if your project needs fiber and point you in the right direction.
Cut metal of any kind: CO2 lasers in our wattage class do not cut metal. Industrial CO2 lasers (1,000+ watts) can cut thin sheet metal, but that is a completely different category of machine in a fabrication shop, not a branding shop.
Engrave certain plastics safely: PVC and vinyl release chlorine gas when lasered. We do not laser PVC. Some other plastics melt rather than engrave cleanly. We test material compatibility before committing to a project.
The Laser Is One Tool in the Shop
Battle Born is a full-service custom apparel and branding operation. The CO2 laser sits alongside an M&R Gauntlet GT-8 automatic press that runs 250+ garments per hour, Happy multi-head embroidery machines, a DTF printer for short-run full-color work, the Cowboy CB3500 leather stitcher, and a Workhorse PowerHouse conveyor dryer. Every tool serves a purpose. The right tool depends on the material, the design, the quantity, and the end use. That is what a full-service shop figures out for you.
Got a Laser Project? Let's Talk Materials.
Send us the design and the material. We will tell you if the CO2 laser is the right tool, what the result will look like, and what it costs. No minimums. Same-day quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can a CO2 laser engrave?
Leather, wood, acrylic, glass, stone, powder-coated metals, anodized aluminum, paper, cardboard, rubber, and most fabrics. The 10.6 micron wavelength is absorbed well by organic materials.
What can a CO2 laser cut?
Leather, wood (up to ~1/2"), acrylic, fabric, paper, cardboard, rubber, foam. Cannot cut any metal.
Can a CO2 laser engrave bare metal?
No. The 10.6 micron wavelength reflects off bare metal. Powder-coated and anodized metals yes (removes the coating). Bare steel/aluminum requires a fiber laser (1.06 micron).
Engraving vs cutting - what is the difference?
Engraving removes surface material to create a visible mark. Cutting vaporizes all the way through to separate pieces. Different power and speed settings on the same machine.
Is laser engraving permanent?
Yes. The laser physically alters the material. Burns into leather, chars wood, removes coating from metal. Nothing applied, nothing to fade or peel. The mark is the material itself.
What laser products does Battle Born offer?
Leather hat patches, custom holsters and leather goods, engraved YETI and Polar Camel drinkware, wood signs, acrylic awards, industrial asset marking. All in-house alongside screen printing, embroidery, and DTF.