Laser cutting acrylic is one of the most popular jobs in our Los Angeles shop. Signs, displays, awards, product stands, enclosures, and decorative pieces all start as sheets of acrylic. But not all acrylic behaves the same under the laser, and the choices you make about material type, thickness, and design have a big effect on the final result. Here is what to know before you order.
Cast vs. Extruded Acrylic for Laser Cutting
Acrylic sheet comes in two main types, and the difference matters.
Cast acrylic
Cast acrylic is made by pouring liquid acrylic between molds. It is the preferred choice for laser engraving because engraved areas turn a crisp, frosty white, which creates excellent contrast. Cut edges are clear and polished-looking. Cast acrylic is also available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
Extruded acrylic
Extruded acrylic is pushed through rollers. It is generally less expensive and very consistent in thickness. It cuts cleanly with a flame-polished edge, but engraving tends to look clear rather than frosted, so it is better for cut-only projects. It can also be more prone to stress cracking near tight features.
If your piece needs both engraving and cutting, we usually recommend cast acrylic.
What Edge Finish to Expect
One of the best things about laser cutting acrylic is the edge. The laser melts and vaporizes the material, leaving a smooth, glossy edge that often needs no further polishing. Very thick sheets may show faint vertical lines, and some colors show the effect more than others. For display-grade pieces, we can advise on whether any additional finishing is worth it.
Thickness Guide
Common acrylic thicknesses range from about 1/16″ (1.5 mm) up to 1/2″ (12 mm) and beyond. Thin sheets are great for overlays, small parts, and layered signage. Medium thicknesses such as 1/8″ and 1/4″ are the workhorses for signs, stands, and enclosures. Thicker sheets look impressive on awards and standoff signs but cut more slowly, which affects cost. Very fine details may need to be simplified on thick material because the laser beam has a slight taper.
Design Tips for Acrylic Laser Cutting
- Send vector files. AI, SVG, DXF, or PDF with vector paths for cut lines. Raster images can be engraved but not cut.
- Account for kerf. The laser removes a thin sliver of material. For press-fit slots or tabs, let us know so we can compensate.
- Avoid hairline features. Very thin bridges between cutouts can melt or break, especially in thicker sheet.
- Plan engraving on the back. Reverse-engraving on clear cast acrylic, viewed from the front, gives a protected, high-end look common on awards and signs.
- Keep the protective film on. Acrylic sheets ship with masking that protects the surface during cutting. We remove it after cutting so your parts arrive clean.
Colors and Specialty Acrylics
Beyond clear, acrylic comes in opaque colors, translucent tints, mirror finishes, frosted, fluorescent edge-glow, and two-tone engraving sheets. Mirror acrylic and two-tone sheets are especially popular for branded signage and nameplates.
Common Acrylic Projects We Cut
Retail signage, menu boards, logo walls, wedding and event signs, product display stands, protective covers, organizers, keychains, light panels, and prototype enclosures are all everyday work at our laser engraving studio.
Pricing
Acrylic laser cutting is priced by material, sheet size, thickness, and machine time. A batch of small cut pieces from one sheet is often very affordable, while large thick panels with dense engraving cost more. Repeat orders get cheaper once the file is set up.
Get Your Acrylic Cut in Los Angeles
With more than 22 years of fabrication experience, eCadCam can help you choose the right acrylic and get clean, accurate parts fast. Visit us at 4212 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204, call 213.489.1173, or request a quote with your file.