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Laser Applications

Laser Cutting Acrylic

Laser Cut and Engrave Acrylic with Clean, Professional Results

Laser Cut and Engrave Acrylic with Clean, Professional Results

Create premium signs, awards, displays, ornaments, and custom products with flame-polished edges and precise engraving using Epilog Laser systems. Built for businesses that need speed, consistency, and production-ready quality.

Stop Spending Time
Finishing Acrylic by Hand

Many acrylic fabricators struggle with rough cuts, inconsistent quality, and labor-intensive finishing processes. Every extra step reduces profit and slows production.

With the right laser system, acrylic can be cut and engraved in a single streamlined workflow, helping you deliver professional results faster.

2OOW Laser for Thick Cutting & Increased Production

For businesses that need to cut thicker acrylics and produce larger projects, the increased power will help meet production demands.
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200w for faster engraving and thick wood cutting

Why Use an
Epilog Laser for Acrylic?

Laser processing has become one of the most popular methods for working with acrylic because it produces exceptionally clean results. Extruded acrylic can achieve smooth, flame-polished edges, while cast acrylic creates bright, frosted engravings ideal for awards and display applications.

Benefits

Flame-Polished Edges

Produce smooth, polished acrylic cuts directly from the laser without extensive post-processing.

Frosted Engraving Effects

Create high-contrast engraving on cast acrylic for premium awards, signage, and displays.

Production-Level Performance

Choose wattages and work areas capable of handling everything from small custom products to large production runs.

Easy Workflow

Design in your preferred graphics software, send the file to the laser, select your material settings, and start production.

How thick of acrylic can you cut?

Cutting results will depend on the laser wattage and material type. These settings are recommended and results may vary slightly.

  • As you increase in wattage, you will be able to increase the thickness of acrylic you can laser cut.
  • 30W – 40W will cut 1/8″ (3.1 mm) of acrylic.
  • 50W – 60W will cut 1/4″ (6.3 mm) of acrylic
  • 80W – 100W will cut from to 3/8″ (9.5 mm) with one pass to 1″ (25.4 mm) with two passes.
  • 120W system will cut from to 1/2″ (12.7 mm) with one pass to 1″ (25.4 mm) with two passes.
  • 200W system will cut from to 3/4″ (19 mm) with one pass to 1″ in. (25.4 mm) with two passes.

What Can You Create with Acrylic?

Epilog customers use acrylic to produce:
  • Retail signage
  • Point-of-purchase displays
  • Custom awards
  • Business Signage
  • Holiday ornaments
  • Cake toppers
  • Jewelry and earrings
  • Branded promotional products
  • & Much More
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Find the Right Laser System for Your Acrylic Business

Product Line Overview
Compare Epilog laser systems and find the ideal solution for your shop, production volume, material requirements, and growth plans.

FusionPro

Industrial Production
CO2
Fiber
Dual

Up to 165 IPS, 5G acceleration, Fusion IRIS HD+ camera recognition
fusion ascent 12, 24, and 36 laser machines

FusionAscent

Growing businesses
CO2
Fiber

High precision, up to 120 IPS, Pass-through capabilities, Fusion IRIS HD+ camera recognition

FusionGalvo

High-Speed Metal/Plastic Marking
Fiber

Adjustable work area: 4″ x 4″ (101 x 101 mm) and 6″ x 6″ (152 x 152 mm)

    Trusted by Businesses Around the World

    For decades, businesses have trusted Epilog Laser systems to produce professional acrylic products with the precision, speed, and consistency needed for commercial production.

    Your Epilog Laser Journey

    Purchasing a laser machine for your existing business or to start a business is an important investment. Epilog makes this journey as informative as possible so you can be successful.

    Step 1:

    Browse our Laser Machines

    If you’re looking for an entry-level, mid-level, or high-production laser, Epilog has you covered.

    Step 2:

    Find Your Local Rep

    Your local Epilog representative can discuss your short and long term laser needs and give you a better idea of what machine will work best for your applications.

    Talk to an Expert

    Step 3:

    Create with Confidence

    Once your laser is set up, you’ll be producing high-quality work, taking on more projects, and growing your business with ease.

      Top 10 FAQs for Acrylic Laser Engraving & Cutting

      1. What is the best type of laser for engraving and cutting acrylic?
      A CO2 laser is absolutely essential for working with acrylic. Diode lasers, often found in cheap hobbyist machines, operate at a wavelength that simply passes straight through clear, blue, and transparent acrylics without interacting with the material. Epilog’s professional CO2 laser tubes operate at a 10.6-micron wavelength, which is absorbed perfectly by all colors and types of acrylic, allowing for deep, highly detailed engravings and flawlessly smooth cuts every time.
      2. What is the difference between Cast and Extruded acrylic?
      These two manufacturing methods produce very different results under a laser. Cast acrylic is the premier choice for engraving because it produces a beautiful, frosty white contrast that stands out clearly. Extruded acrylic, on the other hand, will engrave clear rather than frosted, making it less ideal for text or logos. However, extruded acrylic cuts exceptionally well and is often cheaper. An Epilog Laser allows you to dial in exact speed, power, and frequency settings to maximize the unique benefits of either material.
      3. Do I need to polish the edges of my acrylic after laser cutting?
      Not if you are using the right machine and settings. One of the greatest advantages of using a high-quality CO2 system like an Epilog Laser is the ability to achieve a “flame-polished” edge straight off the machine. By using the right combination of a cutting speed, high power, and a high frequency (PPI/Hz) setting, the laser melts the acrylic edge as it cuts, leaving it crystal clear and perfectly smooth, with no manual sanding or flame-treating required.
      4. Should I leave the protective paper masking on the acrylic?
      It depends on the operation. When cutting acrylic, you should generally leave the masking on both sides to protect the surface from heat residue and scratch marks. When engraving, you must remove the masking from the top surface; otherwise, you will be engraving the paper, leaving sticky adhesive residue in your delicate frosted design. Epilog’s advanced Air Assist system helps blow away vaporized material, keeping unmasked acrylic surfaces clean and clear during operation.
      5. How thick of an acrylic sheet can a laser cutter cut?
      This is entirely dependent on the wattage of your laser tube. A 30W to 40W system is excellent for 1/8″ to 1/4″ acrylic sheets. If you need to cut thick 1/2″ or 3/4″ acrylic display blocks, you require serious power to cut cleanly in a single pass without warping the material. Epilog offers robust systems with up to 120 watts of CO2 power, allowing you to slice through thick acrylic efficiently, expanding the range of products you can offer.
      6. Why are my acrylic sheets warping or melting during the cut?
      Warping and excessive melting happen when too much heat builds up in the material, usually caused by moving the laser too slowly or utilizing poor exhaust. High-speed servo motors, like those found on the Epilog Fusion Pro series, allow the laser to move rapidly across the material, instantly vaporizing the acrylic rather than lingering and transferring heat to the surrounding area. Proper airflow beneath the material, using an Epilog vector-cutting grid, also prevents heat buildup.
      7. Can a laser engraver create 3D effects in acrylic?
      Yes. Because cast acrylic vaporizes so cleanly, you can achieve stunning 3D reliefs and multi-depth engravings. Epilog’s advanced print driver includes a 3D engraving mode that automatically adjusts the laser’s power based on the grayscale values of your artwork. Darker areas of your design will engrave more deeply, while lighter areas will engrave less deeply, creating a tactile, sculptural effect within the acrylic.
      8. Is ventilation necessary when laser cutting acrylic?
      Absolutely. Vaporizing acrylic creates strong fumes and microscopic particles. Cutting without proper ventilation is a severe health hazard and will rapidly degrade your machine by coating the optics and mechanics in a sticky residue. Epilog lasers are designed to seamlessly integrate with high-capacity exhaust fans or standalone, multi-stage air filtration units, ensuring a safe work environment and a clean, long-lasting machine.
      9. How do I perfectly align my design on expensive, pre-cut acrylic shapes?
      Wasting expensive acrylic blanks due to misalignment eats into your profit margins. Traditional framing methods are slow and prone to error. Epilog solves this completely with the IRIS™ Camera Positioning System. Overhead cameras provide a real-time, high-definition view of your laser bed directly on your screen. You can virtually drag and drop your artwork perfectly onto your acrylic blank, guaranteeing precision placement on the first try.
      10. Is an industrial laser worth the cost over a budget desktop engraver for an acrylic business?
      If you are running a business, time is your most valuable asset. Budget diode or glass-tube CO2 lasers are notoriously slow, require constant mirror alignment, and suffer from frequent downtime. An Epilog Laser features a rugged, industrial chassis, permanent optic alignment, and metal/ceramic laser tubes designed for 24/7 continuous operation. The initial investment is rapidly offset by the sheer speed of production, unmatched reliability, and the premium quality of the finished acrylic products you can sell.

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