Can be processed
Bright blue indicates materials that can be processed using BRM Laser machines.
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BRM Materials Guide
CO₂ laser materials guide for BRM cutting, engraving, and marking workflows
BRM Laser Systems support a wide range of laser-compatible materials for education labs, signage production, acrylic fabrication, prototyping, packaging, personalization, and industrial material processing.
Education
Creative
Production
Signage
Fabrication
Understand BRM laser material processing status
Use the status indicators below to understand whether a material can be cut, engraved, requires laser marking spray, or should not be processed.
Laser spray assisted
Bright orange indicates materials that can be marked in conjunction with laser marking spray such as Cermark.
Not recommended
Bright gray indicates materials that should not be processed using BRM Laser machines.
Cutting and engraving compatibility chart
This chart organizes common material categories by cutting and engraving workflow. Always confirm the exact material composition, thickness, coating, adhesive, and safety requirements before processing.
Material
Cutting
Engraving
Acrylic, Plexiglas, PMMA
Coated metal, painted or anodized
Glass and mirrors
Wood
Cardboard and hardboard
Ceramics and porcelain
Cork
Leather
MDF
Metal, polished
Plywood
Natural stone, granite and marble
Gaskets
Paper
Polyester
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
PVC and PVC-containing plastics
Textiles
Trespa
Empty fields indicate that the workflow may not be the recommended primary process for that material category. Always test material samples and verify safety documentation before production.
Common materials for BRM laser systems
Explore common CO₂ laser material categories used in classrooms, makerspaces, sign shops, fabrication environments, engraving businesses, packaging workflows, and industrial production.
Acrylic
Clear, colored, cast, and signage-grade acrylic workflows.
Wood
Plywood, hardwood, MDF, craft boards, and model materials.
Foam
Foam inserts, packaging layouts, storage, and organization.
Leather
Branding, personalization, patches, labels, and accessories.
Laser-compatible material categories
Material behavior varies by thickness, coating, density, adhesive, finish, and specific composition. Always verify material safety and test settings before production cutting, engraving, or marking.
Can be processed
Acrylic and PMMA
Acrylic is widely used for signage, display fabrication, dimensional lettering, retail fixtures, product panels, awards, and lighting applications.
Can be processed
Wood and MDF
Wood, plywood, MDF, craft boards, and model materials support prototyping, education projects, decorative engraving, fabrication, and custom production.
Can be processed
Foam and Packaging
Foam materials are used for protective inserts, packaging prototypes, tool organization, storage systems, presentation kits, and production layout projects.
Can be processed
Leather and Textiles
Leather, fabric, felt, denim, and textile materials support personalization, craft production, fashion accessories, patches, labels, and creative studio workflows.
Can be processed
Compatible Plastics
Compatible plastics and sheet materials can support industrial fabrication, fixtures, product panels, shop templates, display production, and prototyping.
Laser spray assisted
Metal Marking With Spray
Some metals can be marked in conjunction with laser marking spray to create clear marks for branding, labels, tags, and industrial identification.
Can be processed
Paper and Cardboard
Paper, cardboard, cardstock, corrugated board, and chipboard support education projects, packaging prototypes, architectural models, and creative applications.
Can be processed
Rubber and Stamp Materials
Laser-compatible rubber and stamp materials can support custom stamp production, marking tools, small business workflows, and personalization applications.
Not recommended
Unsafe Materials
PVC, PVC-containing plastics, and some other materials should not be processed. Always verify composition and avoid hazardous fumes or corrosive byproducts.
Material safety and testing
Not every material is safe or suitable for laser processing. Always verify material composition before cutting, engraving, or marking. Avoid materials that can produce hazardous fumes or corrosive byproducts. Perform test cuts, confirm ventilation requirements, and follow site safety procedures before production use.
Visual examples of BRM laser material workflows
BRM material workflows can include signage, awards, branding, industrial control panels, glass etching, coated cards, foam packaging, acrylic, wood, leather, and mixed-media projects.
BRM laser material videos and workflow examples
Use these videos to support visual education around BRM laser cutting, engraving, marking, and material workflow possibilities.
Material Workflow Overview
Overview video for BRM Laser Systems and general material workflow positioning.
Application Processing
Application-oriented workflow video for cutting, engraving, and production examples.
Production Workflows
Production-focused material processing examples for shop and fabrication environments.
Project Examples
Project-oriented video reference for material testing, application examples, and production previews.
Match materials to cutting, engraving, and marking workflows
Different materials respond differently depending on machine platform, laser power, optics, speed, thickness, coating, and desired finish.
Laser cutting materials
Use laser cutting for profile cuts, parts, signage shapes, packaging inserts, models, panels, fabrication templates, and production components.
Acrylic, wood, MDF, paper, cardboard, foam, textiles, rubber, and compatible plastics
Best for parts, panels, inserts, signage, packaging, and prototyping
Thickness, density, and finish affect final edge quality and processing speed
Laser engraving materials
Use laser engraving for surface detail, personalization, branding, decorative patterns, product marking, awards, labels, and design elements.
Wood, acrylic, leather, rubber, plastics, coated materials, laminates, and engraving stock
Best for personalization, awards, branding, design details, and product decoration
Material surface, grain, color, and coating affect contrast and finish
Laser marking materials
Use laser marking for identification, labels, coated materials, production traceability, part numbers, tags, and durable workflow documentation.
Coated metals, anodized materials, coated plastics, marking laminates, tags, labels, and ID plates
Best for serial numbers, part labels, equipment tags, and production identification
Some materials may require laser marking spray for clear marks
Choose the right BRM platform for your material workflow
The right BRM laser platform depends on your material size, safety environment, production volume, access requirements, and application type.
Class 1 enclosed systems for shared material workflows
The BRM Pro Series is designed for enclosed Class 1 laser workflows in education, makerspaces, technical labs, design studios, training environments, and supervised professional spaces.
Best for smaller to mid-size material sheets and enclosed cabinet workflows
Strong fit for education, STEM labs, makerspaces, design studios, and supervised spaces
Supports cutting and engraving across common classroom, creative, and professional materials
Class 4 open bed systems for large-format materials
The BRM Ultra Series is designed for large-format Class 4 open bed laser workflows in signage, industrial fabrication, plastics processing, display production, and manufacturing environments.
Best for oversized sheets, large-format signage, acrylic panels, and industrial production materials
Strong fit for sign shops, fabrication teams, plastics processors, and manufacturing facilities
Supports open material access, higher-throughput workflows, and larger production jobs
Plan the right BRM laser material workflow
Start with your material type, thickness, sheet size, finish requirements, production environment, and application goals. CUTWORX USA can help align the right BRM Laser System with your material workflow.
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