How to Choose a Laser Cutter/Engraver for a School

Choosing a laser cutter/engraver for your school consists of more than getting the most power for the cheapest price.

Choosing the Right Laser Technology


CO₂ Lasers (most popular for schools)

CO2 laser cutters/engravers are the most common choice for schools due to their flexibility in material processing. CO2 lasers can cut and engrave wood, acrylic, and other non-metallics. CO2 lasers are also perfect for engraving powder-coated tumblers, anodized aluminum, and other laser-able products.

  • Ideal for cutting and engraving a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, cardboard, plastics, and more.
  • The HP-Series adds limited steel sheet cutting capability, up to 18-gauge stainless steel (16-gauge with a 250-watt upgrade).

Metal Processing

For metal cutting or direct metal engraving, a fiber laser is an ideal choice.

Fiber Marking Lasers – Engrave/etch directly on metals and plastics.

Fiber Cutting Lasers – Cut sheet metal regularly; ideal for fabrication and trade schools.


UV – “Cold Marking”

UV Marking Lasers – ideal for creating temperature-sensitive or ultra-high-definition markings. “Cold marking” for glass, plastics, ceramics, and temperature-sensitive materials.


Material Processing Chart

Material/ProcessCO2 LasersHP-Series CO2UV LasersFiber MarkersFiber Cutters
NON-METAL CUTTING
Wood Cutting
Acrylic Cutting
Leather Cutting
Paper/Cardboard Cutting
Fabric Cutting
NON-METAL ENGRAVING
Wood Engraving
Acrylic Engraving (1)
Leather Engraving
Paper/Cardboard Engraving
Glass Etching/Engraving (2)
METAL CUTTING
Steel Sheet Cutting (3)
Steel Plate Cutting
Aluminum Cutting
Brass/Copper Cutting
Gold/Silver Cutting
METAL ENGRAVING
Powder-Coated Metals (3)
Anodized Metals (3)
Direct Metal Engraving
METAL MARKING
Permanently Mark Metals
Metal Marking w/ Spray (4)
APPLICATIONS
Powder-Coated Tumblers (3)
Natural Metal Tumblers
Firearms (5)
Medical Implants
Shop All LasersLS-SeriesHP SeriesUV-SeriesFM SeriesFC Series
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⬇️ - Read More School Laser FAQs - ⬇️

Learn more about integrating a laser cutter/engraver in your school. These articles address the most frequently asked questions we receive from schools when implementing a new laser.

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