PAPER & CARDSTOCK LASER

ENGRAVING & CUTTING & MARKING

Yes. CO₂ lasers can cut, engrave, score, and perforate many paper-based materials, including cardstock, kraft paper, watercolor paper, vellum, chipboard, and compatible cardboard.

Results depend on paper weight, thickness, fiber composition, color, surface texture, coatings, moisture, and layer construction. Coated, laminated, metallic, or composite papers should be fully identified before laser processing.

Cardstock, kraft paper, cover stock, watercolor paper, vellum, and other uncoated papers are common starting materials because their construction is usually easier to verify and their laser response is more predictable.

Chipboard, greyboard, and corrugated cardboard can also be suitable for packaging, models, displays, and prototypes. Specialty or coated papers require additional verification because coatings, films, adhesives, and other layers can affect both processing quality and emissions.

Paper laser settings depend on paper weight, thickness, color, fiber composition, coating, moisture, machine power, focus, airflow, and the desired result. The following Bolt 60W RF CO₂ settings can be used as starting references.

These values are starting references only. Paper weight, thickness, color, moisture, fiber composition, coatings, adhesives, batch variation, and machine configuration can change the required settings.

For settings covering more Thunder Laser machines and materials, visit our complete CO₂ laser settings library.

A CO₂ laser is the primary choice for cutting, engraving, scoring, and perforating paper, cardstock, kraft paper, paperboard, and compatible cardboard.

CO₂ laser systems also support contact-free processing, allowing intricate designs to be produced without cutting dies or blades pressing against delicate paper surfaces.

Yes. Cardstock is commonly laser cut, engraved, scored, and perforated for invitations, greeting cards, packaging, paper art, tags, menus, displays, and personalized products.

Different cardstock weights, colors, coatings, and fiber compositions can react differently to heat, so run a small test to evaluate edge discoloration, engraving contrast, curling, and cut quality.

Yes. Kraft paper and kraft cardstock can be laser cut, engraved, scored, and perforated for packaging, tags, labels, invitations, stationery, prototypes, and branded paper products.

Because kraft paper can darken easily under laser heat, settings should be optimized for the required contrast while limiting unnecessary scorching and heat accumulation.

Selected vellum and tissue papers can be laser cut, but lightweight sheets require particularly careful heat and airflow control because they can burn, curl, lift, or shift quickly.

Use low heat input, suitable workholding, gentle airflow where appropriate, and a small test before processing detailed or production designs.

Yes. Watercolor paper and selected textured art papers can produce distinctive engraved graphics, lettering, patterns, and photographic effects.

Surface texture, paper thickness, fiber composition, color, sizing, and coating can influence engraving consistency and contrast. Test the actual sheet before production.

Some coated and specialty papers can be laser processed, but their suitability depends on the complete material construction. Gloss coatings, metallic finishes, pearl coatings, inks, foils, and other surface treatments may contain additional materials that react differently to laser heat.

Verify the coating, substrate, adhesives, films, and other layers before processing. Do not laser specialty paper when the complete composition is unknown.

It depends on the laminate. Laminated paper may combine paper with plastic film, adhesive, coatings, inks, foil, or other layers, and every layer must be identified before laser processing.

Do not process laminated paper if it contains PVC or another unsuitable material, or if the laminate and adhesive composition cannot be verified.

Yes. Compatible cardboard, chipboard, greyboard, paperboard, and corrugated cardboard can be laser cut and scored for packaging prototypes, boxes, displays, architectural models, inserts, templates, and structural paper designs.

Thicker cardboard requires more energy than paper and can generate more smoke and heat. Internal flutes, recycled fibers, coatings, adhesives, and print layers can also affect processing behavior.

Yes. A CO₂ laser can create controlled score lines on compatible paper and cardstock using lower energy than a through cut.

Laser scoring is useful for folding cartons, greeting cards, packaging prototypes, sleeves, pop-up structures, invitations, and other paper designs that need accurate fold locations without cutting completely through the sheet.

Yes. Laser perforating creates controlled openings, short cuts, or repeated patterns in paper without requiring mechanical punches or dies.

It can be used for easy-tear lines, decorative perforations, fold features, ventilation patterns, pop-up cards, packaging, stationery, and other functional or decorative paper products.

Use only the laser energy needed to complete the cut. Excessive power, slow speed, repeated passes, overlapping paths, or poor airflow can increase edge darkening and scorching.

Correct focus, appropriate air assist, a clean work table, effective extraction, and stable paper positioning can also help reduce smoke staining and heat buildup. Test the exact paper because color, coating, thickness, and fiber composition affect discoloration.

Thin paper can lift, wrinkle, curl, or shift under airflow. A vacuum work table or another suitable low-profile hold-down method can help keep the sheet flat and maintain consistent focus and alignment.

Make sure any hold-down method is compatible with laser processing and does not introduce flammable or unknown materials into the work area.

Yes. Selected cardstock and art papers can reproduce photographs and grayscale artwork through raster engraving when the paper provides a predictable surface response.

Image contrast, grayscale conversion, dithering, DPI, paper color, texture, coating, and laser settings all influence the final result. A test engraving is recommended before processing the full image.

Yes. A laser system with camera-assisted alignment or registration-mark recognition can align digital cutting paths with printed graphics on compatible paper and cardstock.

This print-and-cut workflow is useful for packaging, cards, tags, labels, printed displays, promotional materials, and other products where the cut contour needs to follow the printed artwork accurately.