--- title: Are MDF Panels Suitable for Laser Cutting? description: We often get asked if MDF panels are suitable for laser cutting. We're here to answer this definitively and give you some general laser cutting tips. image: https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/Laser_cutting_snowflakes.jpg --- [![plyco-logo-icon\_65x@2x](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1506/5624/files/plyco-logo-icon_65x@2x.png?v=1537174952 "plyco-logo-icon_65x@2x")](https://plyco.com.au) ![search](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/search.svg "search") ![](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/search.svg) [![user](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/Plyco%20Assests%202020/user.svg)Login / Signup![cross](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/Plyco%20Assests%202020/cross.svg)](https://plyco.com.au/account/login) **[My account](https://plyco.com.au/account/login)** [![](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/Plyco%20Assests%202020/shopping-cart.svg)Cart](https://plyco.com.au/cart) Login to my account Enter your e-mail and password: New customer? 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Expert plywood product tutorials and catalogue updates will have you completing your project in no time. Read More - [MDF](https://blog.plyco.com.au/topic/mdf) - [z\_engage](https://blog.plyco.com.au/topic/z_engage) # [Are MDF Panels Suitable for Laser Cutting?](https://blog.plyco.com.au/laser-cut-mdf) [Read More →](https://blog.plyco.com.au/laser-cut-mdf) ### Categories ![Arrow](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3842749/hubfs/Pack-1%20Assets/Fold%20Arrow.png?width=13&height=8&name=Fold%20Arrow.png "Arrow") - [architectural plywood (13)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/architectural-plywood) - [artificial intelligence (7)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [bamboo (10)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/bamboo) - [birch plywood (29)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/birch-plywood) - [cladding (3)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/cladding) - [competition (6)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/competition) - [complete guides (22)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/complete-guides) - [construction plywood (10)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/construction-plywood) - [cut to size (2)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/cut-to-size) - [Decoply (22)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/decoply) - [egger (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/egger) - [event (3)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/event) - [featured customer (16)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/featured-customer) - [forestone (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/forestone) - [formply (4)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/formply) - [general plywood (45)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/general-plywood) - [inspiration (7)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/inspiration) - [jobs (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/jobs) - [kitchen benchtops (13)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/kitchen-benchtops) - [laminate (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/tag/laminate) - - - [All Posts](https://blog.plyco.com.au) # Are MDF Panels Suitable for Laser Cutting? - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [This post is part of Plyco’s Guide to MDF.](https://blog.plyco.com.au/the-plyco-guide-to-mdf) In recent years there has been a serious surge in the popularity of laser cutting. [Laser cutters](https://darklylabs.com/emblaser2/) have been becoming more and more affordable, meaning the gateway to this aspect of woodworking has been thrown wide open for anybody from professionals to those who want to make occasional crafts as a hobby. As a result of this increased popularity, there has also been a rapid increase in the need for laser cutting materials. The team here at Plyco often field a lot of question-based on this, with [MDF](https://plyco.com.au/pages/mdf-panel-products)regularly being the subject of these questions. With such a high demand for it, we thought it was best we addressed whether MDF panels are suitable for laser cutting. [![Download Our Decoply Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4078144/5b58d9ce-c476-4139-91af-78ae7cb596f0.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/4078144/5b58d9ce-c476-4139-91af-78ae7cb596f0) Let’s cut to the chase; we do not recommend using MDF when laser cutting. Your materials need a very specific set of characteristics in order for you get the cleanest and most consistent cuts every single time, and unfortunately, MDF doesn’t offer that. To properly understand this you need to know how a laser cutter works. ![White-Melamine-MDF-Satin-Finish](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WhiteMelamine-SatinFinish-1.jpg?width=2048&name=WhiteMelamine-SatinFinish-1.jpg) > We love our MDF products, but they're not suggested for laser cutting. Laser cutters utilise a high-powered beam of concentrated light, which reach extremely hot temperatures. The laser gets so hot that rather than burning the wood away, it, in essence, evaporates it. This process helps keep the wood from being scorched or giving off a burned look despite being under immense heat because the wood is being placed under low thermal stress. For a laser cutter to provide clean cuts on wood there are three key things needed in your material. Firstly, you need a compatible glue. If the incorrect glue is used and comes in contact with a laser you’ll see that sheet will start to burn up or just not cut at all, which is less than ideal. Secondly, you need an absence of core gaps, otherwise, bubbles will form and crack your wood. Finally, you need a product that is the right density, or you’ll produce very poor and ugly cuts. ![A Laser Cutter In Action](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Laser_cutting_snowflakes.jpg?width=4000&name=Laser_cutting_snowflakes.jpg) MDF’s biggest problem with laser cutting also happens to be one of the products biggest strengths. MDF is just too dense. Usually, we’d praise the density and the strength it brings until the cows come home, but here it creates issues. You’ll struggle to get anything close to resembling a beautiful cut. You’ll also run into issues with the glue used. As the glue used with MDF is not optimal for laser cutting, the likelihood of you having a problem-free cut is drastically lowered. The one aspect it does succeed in is being free of core gaps, however, this one positive cannot make up for the rest of the drawbacks. So, if MDF can’t be used for laser cutting what else is on offer? Plyco has crafted our range of [Laser Plywood](https://plyco.com.au/pages/laser-cut-plywood-collection) for this specific reason. It’s not good enough to just grab any old piece of Plywood and start cutting away. You need something built specifically for this purpose, and luckily we’ve got you covered. All 12 of our Laserply products has been crafted to meet each of the three criteria and is held to the highest standards during the manufacturing process. Even better is that sheets are extremely affordable, so you don’t have to worry about your budget being blown because you can’t use the incredibly cheap MDF. ![laserply-laser-plywood-clock](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Media/laser-plywood-handcraft-plywood-clock-small.jpg?width=1000&name=laser-plywood-handcraft-plywood-clock-small.jpg) Now that know what kind of products are suitable for laser cutting, why not check out our [online store](https://plyco.com.au/collections/all)? We ship Australia-wide, so no matter where you are we can give you your [laser plywood](https://plyco.com.au/collections/laserply) fix. If you’d like to learn more about Laserply you can check out our [comprehensive guide](https://blog.plyco.com.au/what-is-laser-plywood), or alternatively, you can browse some other MDF posts like [how to paint MDF](https://blog.plyco.com.au/how-to-paint-mdf) or [the different types of MDF panels](https://blog.plyco.com.au/types-of-mdf-panels).   This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![Search\_Image](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Search_Image.png?width=15&name=Search_Image.png "Search_Image") ### Complete Guides - [The Plyco Guide to Legnoply](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-legnoply) - [The Plyco Guide To Easycraft](https://blog.plyco.com.au/the-plyco-guide-to-easycraft) - [Plyco’s Guide To Wall Panelling](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-wall-panelling) - [The Plyco Guide to MicroPanel](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-micropanel) - [The Plyco Guide to Architectural Plywood](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-architectural-plywood) - [The Plyco Guide to Construction Plywood](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-construction-plywood) - [The Plyco Guide to Cladding](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-cladding) - [The Plyco Guide to Melamine](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-melamine) - [The Plyco Guide to Riga Plywood](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-riga-plywood) - [The Plyco Guide to Formply](https://blog.plyco.com.au/the-plyco-guide-to-formply) - [The Plyco Guide to Quadro Plywood](https://blog.plyco.com.au/plyco-guide-to-quadro-plywood) - [The Plyco Guide to MDF](https://blog.plyco.com.au/the-plyco-guide-to-mdf) ### Popular Posts ## Subscribe For The Latest News ## Related Posts ## [Featured Customer Plywood Projects: Caple Builders](https://blog.plyco.com.au/featured-customer-plywood-projects-caple-builders) There are a plethora of talented customers that walk through Plyco’s doors each and every day, specialising in all matter of creative projects. It’s v... [Plyco Team](https://blog.plyco.com.au/author/plyco-team) 28 June 2019, 10:02:46 am ## [Answering The Most Frequently Asked Plywood Questions](https://blog.plyco.com.au/answering-the-most-frequently-asked-plywood-questions) During the course of a regular week here at Plyco we’re asked many questions. Some of these questions we have addressed specifically through in-depth ... [Plyco Team](https://blog.plyco.com.au/author/plyco-team) 28 June 2019, 10:02:46 am ## [What is the Difference Between MicroPanel and Laserply?](https://blog.plyco.com.au/what-is-the-difference-between-micropanel-and-laserply) MicroPanel. Laserply. The new kid on the block and the veteran of the laser cutting game. The release of our new MicroPanel range has intrigued many o... [Plyco Team](https://blog.plyco.com.au/author/plyco-team) 28 June 2019, 10:02:46 am ABOUT PLYCO - Plyco staff dream of pine scented car fresheners. - A proud manufacturer, distributor and retailer of timber-based panel products, Plyco is 100% Australian owned. Sourced from all over the world in all sizes, thicknesses and grades, you could say our factories are the United Nations of timber.  [Read more.](https://plyco.com.au/pages/about-us) Company - [About Us](https://plyco.com.au/pages/about-us) - [Blog](https://plyco.com.au/blogs/news) - [Contact Us](https://plyco.com.au/pages/contact-us) - [Cut To Size](https://plyco.com.au/pages/cut-to-size) - [FAQ](https://landing.plyco.com.au/faq) - [Laserply Club](https://plyco.com.au/pages/laserply-club?smile_deep_link=home) - [Plyco New Zealand](https://plyco.co.nz/) - [Project Inspiration](https://plyco.com.au/pages/featured-customer-projects) - [Refund Policy](https://plyco.com.au/policies/refund-policy) - [Schools Laserply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/schools-laserply-program) - [Shipping](https://plyco.com.au/pages/shipping-information) - [Terms of service](https://plyco.com.au/policies/terms-of-service) Collections - [Architectural](https://plyco.com.au/pages/architectural-plywood-collection) - [Birch](https://plyco.com.au/pages/birch-plywood-collection) - [Caravans](https://plyco.com.au/pages/caravans) - [Cladding](https://plyco.com.au/pages/cladding-plywood-products) - [Construction](https://plyco.com.au/pages/construction-plywood-collection) - [Flooring](https://plyco.com.au/pages/plywood-and-particleboard-flooring) - [Kitchen Benchtops](https://plyco.com.au/pages/laminated-kitchen-benchtops) - [Laserply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/laser-cut-plywood-collection) - [Marine](https://plyco.com.au/pages/marine-plywood-collection) - [Tabletops](https://plyco.com.au/pages/tabletop-plywood-collection) - [Veneered Plywood](https://plyco.com.au/collections/veneered-plywood) - [Wall Panelling](https://plyco.com.au/pages/wall-panelling) Featured - [Decoply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/decoply-plywood-products) - [Formply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/formply-plywood-products) - [Laminex Surround](https://plyco.com.au/pages/laminex-surround-products) - [Legnoply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/legnoply-products) - [MDF](https://plyco.com.au/pages/mdf-panel-products) - [Melamine](https://plyco.com.au/pages/melamine-sheet-products) - [Micropanel](https://plyco.com.au/pages/micropanel-products) - [Particle Board](https://plyco.com.au/pages/particleboard-panel-products) - [Spotless Laminate](https://plyco.com.au/pages/spotless-laminate) - [Shadowclad](https://plyco.com.au/products/shadowclad) - [Vanply](https://plyco.com.au/pages/vanply-products) - [Weather Groove](https://plyco.com.au/pages/weather-groove-products) © Plyco - Timber and Plywood Panels Follow Us - [![facebook (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/facebook%20(1).svg) ![facebook](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/plyco1) - [![twitter-grey](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/twitter-grey.png) ![twitter-color](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/twitter-color.png)](https://www.instagram.com/plyco/) - [![instagram (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/instagram%20(1).svg) ![instagram](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/plyco/) - [![pinterest-grey (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/pinterest-grey%20(1).png) ![pinterest-color (1)](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/pinterest-color%20(1).png)](https://www.pinterest.com/plyco1) - [![youtube-grey](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/youtube-grey.png) ![youtube-color](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/youtube-color.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtNTBMWaIGmWbg29R_C9-w) - [![vimeo-grey](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/vimeo-grey.png) ![vimeo-color](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/vimeo-color.png)](https://www.instagram.com/plyco/) - [![linkedin-grey](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/linkedin-grey.png) ![linkedin-color](https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/linkedin-color.png)](https://www.instagram.com/plyco/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Plyco Team", "url" : "https://blog.plyco.com.au/author/plyco-team" }, "dateModified" : "2019-11-26T01:02:42.975Z", "datePublished" : "2019-06-28T00:02:46.000Z", "headline" : "Are MDF Panels Suitable for Laser Cutting?", "image" : [ "https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/Laser_cutting_snowflakes.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.plyco.com.au/laser-cut-mdf", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.plyco.com.au/hubfs/PLYCO%20Logo.jpg" }, "name" : "Plyco Pty Ltd" } } ```