Alder vs Cherry for Laser Engraving: Which One Should You Buy?

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Alder vs cherry for laser engraving: what the listings actually show

All four featured listings are alder. The Hardwood Edge listing describes alder hardwood as low density with a subtle, straight grain, in a light tan to reddish brown color that will darken and redden over time, and states it is easy to engrave and cut. The plaque listing describes a smooth wood surface as ideal for dark engraving, painting, staining and other personalization. Those two statements are the alder side of this comparison, stated by the listings themselves.

The cherry side has no featured listing here. That gap matters: this guide states no cherry thickness, grain, color or engraving result, because no cherry figure appears in the featured listings. A cherry blank should be judged the same way the alder blanks below are judged, from its own listing: stated thickness, stated grain, whether it is solid wood or a veneer, and the sizes offered. Do not assume a cherry blank matches an alder blank on any of those points.

The gear: four alder blanks, strongest first

The Hardwood Edge Alder Hardwood Planks lead this list. The listing states 8 pure hardwood planks, thin-sawn, kiln dried, precision sliced and sanded to a smooth finish, measuring 1/4 by 6 1/2 by 15 inches, with no chemicals used in growing or harvesting. It states the planks are natural wood blanks for laser cutting and engraving machines, durable and strong, and lists crafts, gifts, wedding decor, personalized signs, holiday ornaments and company awards among the uses. Because it states the wood traits, its size and the uses together, it is the fullest alder example here.

The Genuine Red Alder Wood Plaque Blank comes next. It is a 3/4 inch thick plaque in a 7 by 9 inch size, made from genuine Red Alder with the option of a 1 inch dark walnut wood border, and the listing also offers sizes of 5 by 7, 7 by 9, 9 by 12, 10.5 by 13 and 12 by 15 inches. The bevel is a Double Roll Bevel Edge that is 1/2 inch in width, and two keyholes on the back allow hanging in either portrait or landscape orientation. Its smooth surface is stated as ideal for dark engraving, which suits awards and memorials, and the listed item weight is 1.0 pounds.

The Fraction Tiles set is a finished alder example rather than a blank. The listing states the tiles are made from natural Alder wood, with tiles that make a 4 inch circle and a tile holder that is 5 inches, with 1/8 inch thick tiles and a 1/4 inch thick holder, plus a cotton bag. Note one listing contradiction: the title states 78 tiles, while the bullets describe a 23 tile set and a 77 tile set, so check the listing before ordering and do not rely on the title count alone. As a teaching product it shows alder engraved at a small scale, not a blank for a new design.

The Cherokee Wood Products alder board closes the list. The title states a 1/2 inch by 5 inch by 12 inch solid hardwood board, unfinished, for crafts, scroll saw, woodworking and laser engraving, in a single piece. No bullets are listed for this board, so it states no grain, color or finish detail beyond the title and the spec table, which lists the thickness as 1/2 inch. It has the least detail behind it of the four.

Thickness and project fit

Thickness is the most practical split among the alder blanks. The 1/4 inch planks suit flat crafts, signs and ornaments where a thin blank is enough. The 1/2 inch board suits a sturdier single piece for scroll saw or woodworking projects. The 3/4 inch plaque suits awards and memorials, where the bevel edge and the keyhole hanging matter as much as the engraving. The 1/8 inch fraction tiles are a finished teaching set, not a blank, so they do not set a thickness for new work. For any cherry blank, compare its stated thickness against this same range before choosing.

What to check on a cherry blank

Since no cherry listing is featured here, use this checklist against any cherry listing before buying. Check the stated thickness and the offered sizes, and whether the listing states solid wood or a veneer on plywood, since the alder planks here state pure hardwood, not a veneer. Check the stated grain and color description, and whether the listing states a smooth sanded finish, since the alder examples state a smooth finish or a smooth surface for dark engraving. Check the stated uses, and whether the listing names laser engraving at all. If a cherry listing states none of these, it gives less to judge than the alder listings above.

Safety and finishing

Vent fumes outdoors or use a filter designed for laser fumes, keep a suitable extinguisher within reach, and never leave a running job unattended. Use eyewear only if its listing states an optical density and a wavelength range that matches your laser. Never laser PVC, vinyl, PVC-based faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS. None of the alder listings here state eyewear or a machine setting, so no setting is recommended here: run a trial piece on the same blank before engraving the final one.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Is alder good for laser engraving?

As the listings state it, yes: alder is described as low density with a subtle, straight grain, easy to engrave and cut, and the plaque listing states a smooth surface ideal for dark engraving.

What thickness of alder should I buy?

Match the thickness to the project: 1/4 inch planks for flat crafts, signs and ornaments, a 1/2 inch board for a sturdier single piece, and a 3/4 inch plaque for awards and memorials.

Does alder darken over time?

The Hardwood Edge listing states the light tan to reddish brown color will darken and redden over time, so plan the finished look with that change in mind.

Why does the fraction tile listing disagree on tile count?

The title states 78 tiles, while the bullets describe a 23 tile set and a 77 tile set. The listing contradicts itself, so check it before ordering rather than relying on any single count.

Can alder be cut on a laser, not just engraved?

The Hardwood Edge listing states the planks are natural wood blanks for laser cutting and engraving machines, and describes alder as easy to engrave and cut.

Related: the engraving materials hub, alder vs poplar for laser engraving and basswood vs cherry for laser engraving. Also see our best birch plywood for laser engraving guide.