What materials can a laser process? FAQs

With Trotec laser machines, you can laser-cut, engrave or mark many materials, including: plastics, wood, rubber, leather, metals, textiles and many others. In the table below, you can see details about the material processing capabilities of our laser engraving and laser cutting machines. The list of materials is structured according to processing type (cutting, engraving, marking).

Materials you can engrave or cut with a Trotec laser

Trotec offers a variety of laser machines equipped with different laser sources, including CO₂, fiber, and diode lasers. Whether a material is suitable for engraving or cutting depends on its ability to absorb the laser’s energy and undergo the required physical or chemical changes.

To achieve successful results, it is essential to match the laser type (e.g., CO₂, fiber, or diode) and settings (such as power and speed) to the specific material being processed.

General laser-compatible materials

Trotec lasers can process a wide range of materials, including wood, plastics, metal, textiles, paper and cardboard, stone, and many more. You can find the complete list here

		Engraving/Marking			Cutting
		CO2	Fiber	Diode	CO2	Fiber	Diode
Metal
Aluminum	Metal	-		✓	-	-	-
Aluminum, anodized		✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
Black oxide finished surfaces		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Chromium		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Precious metal		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Stainless steel		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Brass		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Copper		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Titanium		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Paladium plated surfaces		-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Metal, painted, e.g. DuraBlack		✓	-	✓	-	-	-
Plastic
Acrylic/PMMA, i.e. TroGlass, transparent	Acrylics transparent	✓	-	-	✓	-	-
Acrylic/PMMA, i.e. TroGlass, colored	Acrylics colored	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)	Plastics	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Rubber		✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyamide (PA)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polycarbonate (PC), transparent		-	✓	-	✓	-	-
Polycarbonate (PC), colored		✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
Polyethylene (PE)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyester (PES)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), transparent		✓	-	-	✓	-	-
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), colored		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyimide (PI)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyoxymethylene (POM) -i.e. Delrin®		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polypropylene (PP)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	-
Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polystyrene (PS), transparent		✓	-	-	✓	-	-
Polystyrene (PS), colored		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Polyurethane (PUR)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Foam (PVC free)		✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
TroLase	Plastic sheets	✓	✓	✓	✓	-	✓
Miscellaneous
Wood	Wood	✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓
Mirror	Mirror	-	✓	✓	-	-	-
Stone	Stone	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
Paper white	Paper	✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓
Paper colored	Paper	✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓
Food	Food	✓	-	✓	✓	-	-
Leather	Leather	✓	-	✓	✓	-	✓
Fabric	Textiles	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Glass transparent	Glass transparent	✓	-	-	-	-	-
Glass colored	Glass colored	✓	-	✓	-	-	-

Trotec materials

In Trotec’s material webshop, you’ll find an extensive selection of materials specifically designed for laser processing. Each material is labeled with an icon that indicates which laser source is suitable for its processing.

For more information and to explore compatible materials, visit the Trotec webshop. With the right laser and material pairing, your engraving and cutting projects will achieve optimal results.

Material testing on Trotec laser systems

You are not sure whether your material is suitable for laser processing? Are you looking for information on a material that was not on the list? The list gives you a general overview of which materials can be processed with the laser. We would be pleased to check special requirements for your laser application in a material and application test.

Request a free material test

Because individual requirements require individual advice.
We’ll advise you free of charge.

Contact us