Cutting
Laser Cutting Timber
Laser cutting on timber and plywood gives you fine detail with a slightly charred edge — the look most signwriters and prop builders want from the cut.
Standard capability
Laser Cutting Timber- Process
- CO₂ laser cutting
- Machines
- Thunder Laser Nova 51 · Production Laser
- Material
- Timber
- Max sheet size
- 1220 × 2440 mm
- Max cut thickness
- 12 mm
- Standard cut tolerance
- ±0.2 mm
Job-specific details — yield, edge finish and lead time — are confirmed when we quote your file.
About Laser Cutting Timber
Timber laser cutting is the go-to for prop makers, model builders, sign shops doing rustic finishes, and small-batch craft producers. The edge comes off with a controlled char that some customers want as part of the look and others sand back; either way it's consistent and repeatable.
We run a CO2 laser on a range of timber and ply sheet. Plywood cuts very cleanly when the glue ratio is consistent — cheaper builders' grades give patchier results because of glue voids. Solid timber laser-cuts well in thinner sections for craft and signage; thicker sections move to the CNC router. Name the grade you're after in your enquiry (and a preferred supplier, if you have one) and we'll confirm suitability before you commit.
Signwriters use timber laser for back-painted faces, layered signage, and rustic letter sets where the charred edge is the feature. Architects and shopfitters use it for decorative panels and feature walls. Model makers, jewellery makers and education customers send one-off detailed pieces — that's fine too, just expect the quote-back time to flex with workshop load.
If you're prototyping a shape that'll eventually run in a different material, laser the timber first. It's the fastest way to hold a part in your hand before committing to the tooling cost of the final material.
Good for
- Sign faces, rustic signage, layered timber letter sets
- Prop, model and small-batch craft work
- Architectural decorative panels and feature pieces
- Quick prototypes before committing to a more expensive material
- Engraved-then-cut signage with a registered surface graphic
Not for
- Pressure-treated, painted or laminated timber — fumes and contamination concerns
- MDF (we route MDF — laser leaves a heavier char and is slower)
- Thick structural sections — that's a CNC router job
- Anything where a clean uncharred edge is required
Laser Cutting Timber — common questions
- What file types can I send?
- DXF is the cleanest — that's a single-line vector format the cutter reads directly. AI, SVG, PDF, EPS and DWG all work too. If you've only got a JPG or a sketch on paper, send it anyway and we'll tidy it for you (small file-prep charge applies).
- Will the cut edge be burned?
- Yes — a controlled char comes with the cut. On most timber and ply it's an even brown line a fraction of a millimetre wide. Customers either leave it as a feature (rustic / handmade look) or sand it back. We can mask the surface to keep soot off the face before cutting if you ask.
- Can you cut MDF on the laser?
- Technically yes, but we route MDF instead. The laser produces more char and surface soot on MDF, and the CNC router gives a faster, cleaner cut at sensible thicknesses.
- How should I prepare a DXF?
- Outlines only, no fills. One closed path per cut. Different operations (cut, engrave, drill) on different layers so we know what gets which tool. Convert text to outlines before exporting so we don't have to chase the same font. If anything's ambiguous, write it in the file name or add a note in the quote request.
- How quick is a quote?
- Most quote requests reviewed within 1 business day. Simple trade jobs may be quoted faster during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm AEST). Complex, review-required, or unusual jobs may take longer. We'll tell you up front if so.
- I don't have a design file. Can you still quote?
- Yes. For straight cut-to-size work just send dimensions in the notes. For shapes, send a hand sketch or a reference photo and we'll draft it for you — file-prep is a flat fee added to the job.
Related
Paired cutting processes
Recommended add-ons
- ServiceEdge FinishingSanded, machined or polished edges depending on material and end use. From rough trade-grade to retail-ready finishes.
- ServiceDrillingPrecise CNC drilling for mount holes, pilots, and repeat-pattern arrays. Spec your hole sizes and we quote alongside the cut.
- ServiceAssemblyLight assembly on cut parts — glue-ups, fixings, sub-assemblies. Delivered ready to install on site.
- ServiceFile PrepWe tidy your artwork — outlines, joins, layer order — so the job cuts right the first time. Flat fee per file.
File-prep rules · How to prepare your artwork for cutting
Ready to quote laser cutting timber?
Quote back, usually within 1 business day. No card needed.