Diode vs CO2 Laser for Plastic: Which One Should You Buy?

For plastic sheets like the ones in this guide, diode vs co2 laser for plastic comes down to what the sheet listing states. A CO2 laser is stated for the cast acrylic sheets in this guide, while a diode laser is stated for the modified acrylic sheet below. Check the sheet listing for a stated laser type before buying, and never laser ABS, vinyl, PVC or polycarbonate.

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Diode vs CO2 Laser for Plastic at a Glance

	Stated for these sheets	Sheets in this guide
Diode laser	Stated for the modified acrylic sheet	TroLase sheet
CO2 laser	Stated for the modified acrylic sheet and for the cast acrylic sheets	TroLase and KAITELA sheets
ABS plastic	Never laser ABS, even when a sheet is sold for engraving	Bocolon sheet is titled ABS, so it is not a safe laser sheet on that rule

The table is the whole answer in short form. One sheet states both laser types, one sheet names CO2 as its laser type, and one sheet carries a title that names ABS, which the safety rule below rules out for laser work.

What a Diode Laser Does With Plastic Here

Only one listing in this guide states diode use. The TroLase listing states that its sheets are diode engraving friendly, and that they are stated for CO2 laser engraving and cutting as well as for laser engraving with a diode laser. That makes the TroLase sheet the only sheet here with a stated diode route. The listing describes a two-ply modified acrylic sheet with a thin top layer over a contrasting core, so engraving reveals the core color. The stated size is 12″x12″x1/16″, with a stated thickness of 0.06” and a stated engraving depth of 0.003”. Top color is listed as Black and core color as White, and the sheet is listed as opaque and UV stable for outdoor signs, labels and badges.

Do not carry that diode statement over to the other sheets. The KAITELA listing names a CO2 laser and does not state diode use, and the Bocolon listing states laser engraving in general without naming a laser type. A diode route for those sheets is not stated here.

What a CO2 Laser Does With Plastic Here

CO2 is the more widely stated route in this guide. The TroLase listing states CO2 laser engraving and cutting, and the KAITELA listing names a CO2 laser among the tools that can process its sheets, alongside a table saw, jigsaw, band saw, electric drill and CNC router. The KAITELA sheets are opaque cast acrylic sheets in a pack of 10 colors, listed as orange, red, rose red, yellow, green, light green, blue, lake blue, black and white. The stated size is 12″ x 12″, 1/8″ Thick, with a thickness of 3mm nominal. The listing states that the sheets are waterproof, weatherproof and UV-resistant, and cut by laser with clean edges and no chips.

CO2 is also the starting point for a buyer who already owns a CO2 machine, because both the modified acrylic sheet and the cast acrylic sheets state it. That is not a blanket approval for every plastic: the sheet material still decides, and the ABS warning below applies regardless of laser type.

Material Safety: Do Not Laser ABS

Never laser PVC, vinyl, PVC-based faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS. That rule comes first whenever a sheet listing names one of those materials, even if the same listing also describes engraving use. The Bocolon sheet in this guide is titled as an ABS plastic sheet, and its bullets name ABS sheets as well as describing a double-layer acrylic material. Those descriptions do not agree on material, and the ABS wording is the reason for caution: on the site safety rule, a sheet named as ABS is not a laser sheet, whatever the bullets say about engraving.

For every sheet in this guide, plan ventilation and fire safety before the first job. Exhaust 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 the laser in use.

Gear in This Guide, Ranked

The gear section ranks the three sheets by how clearly their listings state a laser route, a size and a use. First is the TroLase sheet, because it alone states both diode and CO2 use, with a stated size of 12″x12″x1/16″, a stated thickness of 0.06”, a stated engraving depth of 0.003″, a Black top color and a White core, and a pack of 8 pieces. Its contrasting core suits signs, labels and badges, and its stated UV stability suits outdoor signs.

Second is the KAITELA sheet, because it states CO2 laser processing clearly, with a stated size of 12″ x 12″, 1/8″ Thick, a pack of 10 sheets in 10 colors, and stated uses in laser-engraved signage, keychains, bag charms, name tags and home decor. The listing states protective paper on both sides, with a note to remove the paper before use and a separate recommendation to keep the paper on when laser cutting for a clean result. Read both notes before cutting.

Third is the Bocolon sheet, and it ranks last on the safety rule alone. The listing states a pack of 5 pieces, a brushed golden and black two-tone sheet for name badges, office labels and signs, and a size listed in the title as 11.73″ x 11.73″ while the bullets and spec table list 11.8×11.8 inches with a thickness of 0.05 inch. That size difference is stated here as listed. The deciding point is the material wording: the title names ABS, the bullets name ABS sheets as well as describing a double-layer acrylic material, and the safety rule says never to laser ABS. On that rule, this sheet is not recommended as a laser sheet.

How to Choose

Start with the laser already in the shop, then match the sheet to it. If the shop runs a diode laser, only the TroLase sheet here states diode use. If the shop runs a CO2 laser, both the TroLase sheet and the KAITELA sheets state CO2 use, so the choice turns on size, thickness, color and use.

Next, check the stated size and thickness against the project. Then check the material name in the title as well as in the bullets: if either names ABS, PVC, vinyl or polycarbonate, leave that sheet out of laser work. Finally, confirm ventilation, fire safety and eyewear that matches the laser before cutting.

For machine choice, see how to choose a laser engraver and the best laser engraver for small business guide. For more sheet options, see the engraving materials hub and the laser engraver hub.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Can a diode laser engrave plastic sheets?

It depends on the sheet listing. The TroLase listing states diode engraving friendly use, so a diode route is stated for that sheet. The KAITELA listing states CO2 use and does not state diode use, and the Bocolon listing states laser engraving in general without naming a laser type.

Can a CO2 laser cut cast acrylic sheets?

Yes, where the listing states it. The KAITELA listing names a CO2 laser among the tools that can process its opaque cast acrylic sheets, listed at 12″ x 12″, 1/8″ Thick. The TroLase listing also states CO2 laser engraving and cutting.

Is an ABS sheet safe to laser?

No. Never laser ABS, vinyl, PVC or polycarbonate. The Bocolon sheet in this guide is titled as an ABS plastic sheet, and its bullets name ABS sheets as well as describing a double-layer acrylic material. On the safety rule, that sheet is not recommended as a laser sheet.

What sizes are the sheets in this guide?

The TroLase sheet is listed at 12″x12″x1/16″ with a thickness of 0.06” and an engraving depth of 0.003″. The KAITELA sheets are listed at 12″ x 12″, 1/8″ Thick, with a thickness of 3mm nominal. The Bocolon sheet is listed at 11.73″ x 11.73″ in the title and at 11.8×11.8 inches in the bullets, with a thickness of 0.05 inch.

What is the difference between the two-tone sheets and the colored cast sheets?

The TroLase two-tone sheet has a thin top layer over a contrasting core, so engraving reveals the core color on signs, labels and badges. The KAITELA sheets are single-color opaque cast acrylic sheets in a pack of 10 colors, for signage, keychains, bag charms, name tags and home decor.

Related: how to choose a laser engraver and the best laser engraver for small business guide.