Request a Quote

Materials & capabilities

Materials & Capabilities

What we laser cut and engrave, and what each material is best suited to. We confirm the right material and finish for your project when we quote.

Request a Quote Customer-supplied materials
  • Acrylic, including mirror finishes
  • Wood, plywood and MDF
  • Selected plastics
  • Slate for engraving

At a glance

Our capabilities in brief

Precision Cutworks laser cuts and engraves acrylic (clear, coloured, frosted and mirror), wood, plywood, MDF and selected plastics, and engraves natural slate, in our workshop in Staveley, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. We confirm the best material and finish for every project when we quote.

Which processes do you offer?

Laser cutting and laser engraving, separately or combined in one job.

Which materials can you cut?

Acrylic in clear, coloured, frosted and mirror finishes, wood, plywood, MDF and selected plastics.

Which materials can you engrave?

All of the above, plus natural slate and approved customer-supplied items.

What sizes and thicknesses can you handle?

Sizes and thicknesses depend on the material. Send us your dimensions and we’ll confirm the options for your project when we quote.

Can I supply my own material?

Often, yes. Tell us exactly what the material is and its thickness, and we’ll confirm it’s right for your project before we start. See Customer-Supplied Materials.

Material guide

Materials we work with

Each material is available in a choice of thicknesses and finishes. Tell us what you need and we’ll confirm the options for your project.

Acrylic

  • Cutting: Suitable
  • Engraving: Suitable

Acrylic (PMMA) is one of the best materials for laser cutting. It comes in clear, coloured, frosted and mirror finishes, cuts with a smooth, glossy edge and engraves clearly, especially cast acrylic.

Typical applications

Signage and lettering, displays and stands, product components, covers and panels, awards, and decorative pieces.

Cutting

Cuts cleanly with a smooth, glossy edge. Both cast and extruded acrylic can be cut.

Engraving

Cast acrylic engraves with a bright, frosted finish. Extruded acrylic engraves with less contrast. Mirror acrylic is usually engraved on the reverse, so the design shows through the mirrored face.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Acrylic can scratch, so we take care in handling and packing. Very thin or very detailed parts can be fragile.

Acrylic Laser Cutting Quote for acrylic

Selected laser-compatible plastics

  • Cutting: Selected grades
  • Engraving: Selected grades

Alongside acrylic, we work with selected plastics that are well suited to laser cutting and engraving. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll recommend the best option.

Typical applications

Labels, panels, components and engraved items, depending on the plastic.

Cutting

Confirmed for each project once we know the exact plastic.

Engraving

Confirmed for each project, with a sample where useful.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Tell us the exact type of plastic, or send a sample, and we’ll confirm the right approach for your project.

Customer-Supplied Materials Ask about a plastic

Wood

  • Cutting: Suitable
  • Engraving: Suitable

Natural timber brings grain and warmth to engraved products, signage and gifts.

Typical applications

Engraved products and gifts, signs and plaques, boxes, and display pieces.

Cutting

Suitable timbers and thicknesses are confirmed per job. Cut edges darken.

Engraving

Engraves with a darker, natural contrast. The result varies with the species and grain.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Colour and grain vary naturally between pieces, which gives every item its own character.

Wood, Plywood & MDF Cutting Quote for wood

Plywood

  • Cutting: Suitable
  • Engraving: Suitable

Strong, lightweight layered board for components, models, signage and packaging.

Typical applications

Components, models and kits, signage, templates, packaging inserts and displays.

Cutting

Best results come from laser-suitable plywood. Glue layers in other grades can affect cut quality.

Engraving

Engraves well on the face veneer.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Cut edges darken and show the layers. Laser-grade plywood gives the cleanest results.

Wood, Plywood & MDF Cutting Quote for plywood

MDF

  • Cutting: Suitable
  • Engraving: Suitable

Medium-density fibreboard: smooth, stable and economical, ideal for templates and parts that will be painted.

Typical applications

Templates and stencils, displays and point-of-sale, painted parts, models and packaging.

Cutting

Cuts cleanly with a darkened edge.

Engraving

Engraves evenly on its smooth surface.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Best for indoor use unless sealed. If your board is painted, laminated or treated, tell us when you enquire.

Wood, Plywood & MDF Cutting Quote for MDF

Slate

  • Engraving: Suitable

Natural slate engraves to a lighter grey for a classic, durable finish.

Typical applications

House and business signs, plaques, coasters, serving boards, gifts and memorial pieces.

Engraving

Bold text and line artwork give the clearest results.

Thicknesses
Tell us the thickness you need and we’ll confirm the options.
Good to know

Texture, tone and edges vary naturally between pieces. Very fine detail may not show well.

Slate Engraving Quote for slate

We confirm the right material for every project

We check the exact material for every project, including materials you supply, so you get the best result. Read our Customer-Supplied Materials guidance.

Request a Quote

Quotation process

How we confirm materials for your job

  1. Tell us the material

    Give the material type, thickness and colour, or ask us to recommend one.

  2. Material check

    We confirm the material is right for your project, and may ask for details or a sample.

  3. Tailored quotation

    Your quote covers the material, quantity, design and any finishing.

  4. Production

    Once you approve the quote, your work moves into production.

Request a Quote

FAQs

Materials FAQs

What materials are suitable for laser cutting?

We laser cut acrylic, wood, plywood, MDF and selected plastics, and engrave slate. We confirm the best material for every project.

Can I supply my own acrylic or wooden materials?

Often, yes. Tell us exactly what the material is and its thickness, and we’ll confirm it’s right for your project before we start. See Customer-Supplied Materials.

What thickness of acrylic should I choose?

It depends on how the part will be used. Thinner sheet suits lightweight pieces and layered designs; thicker sheet suits free-standing and structural parts. Tell us the use and we’ll recommend a thickness. Our guides cover this in more detail.

Do you sell sheet material?

We supply material as part of your cut or engraved order. Tell us if you need plain blanks cut to size and we’ll quote for them.

Not sure which material to use?

Tell us what you’re making and how it will be used, and we’ll recommend a suitable material.

Request a Quote
Request a Quote