Cork
Overview
Natural cork — forgiving and distinctive laser material. The laser ablates cork's cellular structure, creating a dark recessed engraving with tactile depth. Very low power required, minimal fumes, and extremely fast engraving. Great for coasters, trivets, and packaging.
Properties
Difficulty
beginner
Enclosure
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- Very forgiving — difficult to over-engrave
- High contrast tactile result
- Low laser power required
- Fast engraving speeds
- Minimal fumes vs wood
- Sustainable natural material
- Soft tactile surface
Cons
- Surface can be uneven — affects consistency
- Lower precision for fine text than wood
- Adhesive-backed cork may release adhesive fumes
- Crumbles if cut too slowly or with too much power
- Coarse grain limits fine detail
Best For
- Coasters and trivets|Wine stoppers and bottle accessories|Custom cork board design panels|Phone stands and tablet holders|Decorative tiles|Pet mats and placemats
Avoid For
- Adhesive-backed cork with unknown adhesive chemistry|Applications needing tight dimensional tolerance|High detail fine text smaller than 3mm
Laser Compatibility
CO2: Engrave 600-800mm/s, 15-25% — very low power needed. Cut 6mm tile: 20mm/s 60-70% 2 passes. Diode 20W: Engrave 1000mm/s 40-60%. Cut thin cork (<3mm): 300mm/s 100%. Start with very low power and increase — cork burns easily. Air assist light or off — strong airflow blows cork debris and fragments. Defocus slightly for wider, softer engrave.