Understanding How It All Works

How Laser Cutting Works

The process starts by creating and uploading a design using softwares like Adobe Illustrator or CAD programs such as Rhino 3D. This design tells the laser cutter where to cut or engrave. The material (wood, acrylic, fabric, etc.) is placed on the cutting bed and the laser cutter's settings are adjusted based on the material type and thickness. Think of it like a printer that cuts, the laser moving along the lines in the design, slicing through the material, or for raster/engraving, removing the top layer of the material to create patterns or text without cutting all the way through.

How Our Pricing Works

Not sure how much your project might cost—$5 or $5,000? We get it! Our pricing is based on the time it takes to cut your design on our laser machine, and we charge per minute of run time. Simpler designs generally cost less because they require less time but keep in mind we have a minimum order of $35.

Understanding that cutting time can vary depending on the material is also key. For example, cutting the same design on paper will take less time than on plywood, which means it will cost less on paper than on plywood.

In addition to per-minute pricing, we may charge for file prep, materials, material prep, a jig fee for uniquely shaped items, and other project-specific fees when applicable.

To help you understand our pricing before requesting a quote, we've provided some examples below. Please note that these examples are for reference only; even if your design appears similar in complexity, your quote may vary based on the actual cutting time required.