CutChart / workshop reference
Materials You Should Never Laser Cut
CutChart holds 13 captured material safety records with 65 quoted statements, from xTool, Epilog Laser, Creality and Trotec Laser, read 2026-09-21. A material whose cited publisher says not to laser it gets a warning and no settings row. CutChart has not tested any material.
Materials the cited publishers say not to laser
CutChart publishes no settings row for these materials. Each line quotes the publisher that says so.
- ABS
ABS emits cyanide gas (HCN), which is deadly. It does not allow the cells to get oxygen, and it results in the failure of various organs.
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21)plastics such as PVC, ABS, and polycarbonate should not be cut or engraved with a laser machine, as they emit harmful and toxic fumes.
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21) All 2 statements for ABS - polycarbonate
plastics such as PVC, ABS, and polycarbonate should not be cut or engraved with a laser machine, as they emit harmful and toxic fumes.
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21)Vaporization or melting of many materials, which include but are not limited to PVC and polycarbonate, may release harmful smoke.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21) All 4 statements for polycarbonate - PVC and vinyl
Do not engrave or cut any material that contains PVC or vinyl (processing plastics is not recommended). These materials (and other materials containing chlorine/chloride) can generate corrosive vapor that is extremely harmful to the human body and can cause damage to the device.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21)PVC is a very common plastic, and it is used in a wide range of essential and daily used products. But you cannot cut it using a laser machine as it produces harmful smoke of hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, and dioxin.
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21) All 7 statements for PVC and vinyl
Materials the cited publishers attach a caution to
A settings row for these materials appears only next to the publisher caution below.
- HDPE
some plastics are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving. Lasers do not cut them with perfection. Some plastics melt, produce dripping, etc.; therefore, they are not ideal materials for lasers. Such as:
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21)Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate HDPE
(xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, read 2026-09-21) All 2 statements for HDPE - leather
There are some materials that should not be processed with a laser engraver or a laser cutter because of their chemical make-up. Processing these materials creates dangerous gases or dust.
(Trotec Laser, Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?, read 2026-09-21)Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI)
(Trotec Laser, Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?, read 2026-09-21) All 6 statements for leather
Materials whose publishers document operating conditions
The publisher conditions below appear on every settings page for these materials.
- acrylic
Experience shows that vector cutting with a laser is most likely to produce an open flame. In particular, acrylic has proven to be extremely flammable in vector cutting.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21)Many materials are susceptible to igniting; however, acrylic (in all its forms), has shown to be especially flammable when vector cutting with the laser.
(Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, read 2026-09-21) All 6 statements for acrylic - anodized aluminum
Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21)Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated so that the generated smoke can be discharged in time.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21) All 5 statements for anodized aluminum - felt
But most materials are inherently flammable and can be ignited, which may burn the machine and the surroundings.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21)Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21) All 6 statements for felt - painted tile
Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21)Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated so that the generated smoke can be discharged in time.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21) All 5 statements for painted tile - paper
Do not stack materials (especially organic ones, such as paper) around the machine. They may cause the spread of flames and increase the risk of material ignition.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21)But most materials are inherently flammable and can be ignited, which may burn the machine and the surroundings.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21) All 5 statements for paper - plywood
But most materials are inherently flammable and can be ignited, which may burn the machine and the surroundings.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21)Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21) All 6 statements for plywood - stainless steel
Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
(Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, read 2026-09-21)Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated so that the generated smoke can be discharged in time.
(xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), read 2026-09-21) All 5 statements for stainless steel - wood
Utilizing the Air Assist feature will reduce the instance of flare-ups when working with flammable materials such as acrylic and wood.
(Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, read 2026-09-21)Since most users cut wood and acrylic, these small pieces that fall into the table tray act just like kindling and can ignite and start a fire.
(Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, read 2026-09-21) All 6 statements for wood
How to read these records
Every statement above is the publisher's own text, quoted from a captured document with its title and read date. The source process explains how a document becomes a record, and the safety disclaimer states the limits of this reference. If a quote does not match its document, report the mistake and CutChart will re-read the source.
Settings pages carry the same statements beside their tables: start from the settings index, the diode settings or the CO2 settings. A material this page lists as do-not-laser never reaches a settings table anywhere on this site.
Common questions
Did CutChart test this material?
No. Every statement on this page is quoted from the publisher named beside it, with the document title and the date CutChart read it. CutChart has purchased no machine and run no test.
Why does a material have no settings table?
CutChart publishes a settings row only when a sourced material-safety record exists for the material. A material whose cited publisher says not to laser it gets a warning and no settings, whatever its laser family.
What does the review date mean?
Each record states the day CutChart last verified its quoted statements against the publisher document and the day that verification expires. Re-reading a source after its expiry window is a scheduled job, not a claim about the publisher.
Source documents
6 documents behind the rows and safety statements on this page. Open a document to read every excerpt as printed.
Epilog Laser: Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser (4 excerpts)
Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser
Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured
Many materials are susceptible to igniting; however, acrylic (in all its forms), has shown to be especially flammable when vector cutting with the laser.
Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, Introduction. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Utilizing the Air Assist feature will reduce the instance of flare-ups when working with flammable materials such as acrylic and wood.
Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, Warnings and Recommendations. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Since most users cut wood and acrylic, these small pieces that fall into the table tray act just like kindling and can ignite and start a fire.
Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, Warnings and Recommendations. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Never operate the laser system unattended.
Epilog Laser, Reducing Fire Hazards with your Laser, Warnings and Recommendations. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Epilog Laser: Material Safety and your Laser (2 excerpts)
Material Safety and your Laser
Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured
To protect your health and the life of your machine, always obtain a MSDS for materials about which you are uncertain.
Epilog Laser, Material Safety and your Laser, What happens if you engrave or cut something containing hydrogen or vinyl chloride?. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Hydrogen Chloride and Vinyl Chloride (mostly found in PVC and other man made materials) are hazardous to the life of your laser system. Engraving and cutting these materials can cause irreversible damage to your machine, so determining the components of your cutting and engraving materials is extremely important.
Epilog Laser, Material Safety and your Laser, Introduction. Publication date not printed by Epilog Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Creality: Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual (5 excerpts)
Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual
Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured
13. Prepare fire extinguishers as a backup. Regularly maintain and inspect the fire extinguishers.
Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, Security Statement. Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
When a laser engraver engraves or cuts materials, it casts a high-density laser beam that heats the surface to vaporize materials without burning them. But most materials are inherently flammable and can be ignited, which may burn the machine and the surroundings.
Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, Security Statement. Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Cardboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, leather, fabric, acrylic, plastic, etc.
Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, Parameters. Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
14. It is forbidden to leave it unattended while the machine is working.
Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, Security Statement. Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
11. Smoke or smells may be produced during laser engraving and cutting. It is recommended to operate in a well-ventilated environment.
Creality, Creality Falcon2 (12W/22W/40W) User Manual, Security Statement. Publication date not printed by Creality · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Trotec Laser: Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving? (3 excerpts)
Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?
Publication date not printed by Trotec Laser · Read · Captured
Leather and artificial leather that contains chromium (VI)
Trotec Laser, Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?, Materials you should not process with a laser. Publication date not printed by Trotec Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
There are some materials that should not be processed with a laser engraver or a laser cutter because of their chemical make-up. Processing these materials creates dangerous gases or dust.
Trotec Laser, Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?, Materials you should not process with a laser. Publication date not printed by Trotec Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Trotec Laser, Which materials are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving?, Materials you should not process with a laser. Publication date not printed by Trotec Laser · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
xTool: Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved? (5 excerpts)
Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?
Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured
ABS emits cyanide gas (HCN), which is deadly. It does not allow the cells to get oxygen, and it results in the failure of various organs.
xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
On the other hand, plastics such as PVC, ABS, and polycarbonate should not be cut or engraved with a laser machine, as they emit harmful and toxic fumes.
xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
PVC is a very common plastic, and it is used in a wide range of essential and daily used products. But you cannot cut it using a laser machine as it produces harmful smoke of hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, and dioxin. All these vapors and fumes are corrosive, toxic, and carcinogenic, so your health will be at risk if you process them using your laser machine.
xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Other than harmful plastics, some plastics are not suitable for laser cutting and engraving. Lasers do not cut them with perfection. Some plastics melt, produce dripping, etc.; therefore, they are not ideal materials for lasers. Such as:
xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate HDPE
xTool, Safety Guide: What Plastics Can Be Cut or Engraved?, What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
xTool: S1 Safety First (Important) (5 excerpts)
Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured
A high-density laser beam is used by the device to irradiate the material to be cut or engraved, so as to heat up the material surface and vaporize the material without burning. But most materials are inherently flammable and may be ignited to form an open flame that can burn down the device (even if it is made of flame-retardant materials) and its surroundings. Experience shows that vector cutting with a laser is most likely to produce an open flame. In particular, acrylic has proven to be extremely flammable in vector cutting.
xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), 3. Fire safety. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Do not stack materials (especially organic ones, such as paper) around the machine. They may cause the spread of flames and increase the risk of material ignition.
xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), 3. Fire safety. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Do not engrave or cut any material that contains PVC or vinyl (processing plastics is not recommended). These materials (and other materials containing chlorine/chloride) can generate corrosive vapor that is extremely harmful to the human body and can cause damage to the device. Any damage caused by engraving or cutting any material containing PVC or vinyl is not covered by the Company's warranty.
xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), 2. Laser safety. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Do not engrave or cut any unknown materials. Vaporization or melting of many materials, which include but are not limited to PVC and polycarbonate, may release harmful smoke.
xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), 2. Laser safety. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated so that the generated smoke can be discharged in time.
xTool, S1 Safety First (Important), 3. Fire safety. Publication date not printed by xTool · Read · Captured . Read the named field and section in the cited document. The excerpt alone does not establish a complete cutting procedure.
Reference information only. Follow the instructions for your exact machine and material. A listed setting does not establish that a job is safe. Read the safety limits.