Hardwood vs Softwood for Laser Engraving: Which One Should You Buy?

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What the listings say about hardwood: hardwood vs softwood for laser engraving

Density is the main split the listings give. Walnut is described as medium density, hard maple as high density, and African padauk as a dense, strong hardwood. Black walnut gets a steadier line: natural texture, uniform color and stable density, with no cracks or knots stated. Grain runs from walnut subdued and variable, to maple medium and straight, to padauk fine grain. For contrast, padauk brings a rich reddish-orange color and walnut ranges from pale brown to dark chocolate brown, while maple stays bright white with occasional darker streaks.

Thickness and size

Two blanks are thin engraving stock: walnut at 1/8 inch (3mm) in 1/8 by 6.5 by 15 inch planks, and black walnut strips at 1/8 inch (3mm) in 3 by 18 inch strips. Maple steps up to 1/4 inch (6mm) in 1/4 by 6.5 by 15 inch planks, though its spec table states 0.12 inches instead, and we go by the title. Padauk is the chunky one at 0.78 inch thick, with the title stating 7.87 by 3.93 inches and the spec table stating a 5.9 inch length; we go by the title there too. Walnut and maple arrive kiln dried, precision sliced and sanded smooth, and both are called Glowforge ready.

The blanks, ranked

ElaraBerry black walnut strips. First: 25 solid black walnut strips at 1/8 inch thick and 3 by 18 inches, with uniform color and no cracks or knots stated. The 25-pack is the largest here, which suits batch work like coasters and inlay strips.

THE HARDWOOD EDGE walnut planks. Second: 4 planks of 100% pure walnut at 1/8 inch (3mm), 1/8 by 6.5 by 15 inches, medium density with variable grain. Kiln dried, precision sliced, sanded smooth and Glowforge ready, described as easy to engrave and cut.

THE HARDWOOD EDGE maple planks. Third: 4 planks of 100% pure hard maple at 1/4 inch (6mm), 1/4 by 6.5 by 15 inches, high density with a medium straight grain. Same kiln dried and Glowforge ready treatment as the walnut. The thickness contradiction in its spec table costs it a place.

Anwoodola African padauk boards. Fourth: 4 unfinished boards of dense padauk at 0.78 inch thick, stated 7.87 by 3.93 inches, weighing 5.6 ounces each. The listing promises crisp, detailed designs with excellent contrast and calls it durable for cutting, carving and finishing. Best for small dimensional projects, not thin blanks.

Picking by project

Signs and wall pieces want the larger planks: the 6.5 by 15 inch walnut and maple blanks give room for text and borders. Coasters, ornaments and inlay strips suit the 3 by 18 inch black walnut strips, especially in a 25-pack for repeat designs. Small carved gifts and boxes suit the dense padauk boards, whose reddish-orange color carries the design. For cutting rather than engraving, remember the listings describe these as engraving blanks; check your machine rated cut depth for 1/4 inch and thicker stock. See our best laser engraver for wood guide for machines that handle these blanks.

Ventilation and fire. Engraving wood makes smoke that needs to leave the room, and a laser can start a fire. Exhaust outdoors or use a filter made for laser fumes, keep an extinguisher within reach and never leave a running job unattended. See our fume extractor guide for the setup.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Which is better for laser engraving, hardwood or softwood?

The listings give no softwood comparison, so no winner can be declared from them. What the listings do state: walnut and maple are described as easy to engrave and cut, and padauk promises crisp, detailed designs with excellent contrast. There is no listed softwood blank to compare against.

What thickness should engraving blanks be?

The blanks here run from 1/8 inch (3mm) for the walnut and black walnut, to 1/4 inch (6mm) for the maple, to 0.78 inch for the padauk. Thin stock suits engraving and ornaments; thicker stock suits carved signs and boxes. Match the thickness to your machine rated cut depth if you plan to cut through.

What densities do the listings state?

Walnut is described as medium density, hard maple as high density, and padauk as a dense, strong hardwood. Black walnut is stated to have stable density with uniform color. None of the listings gives a numeric density figure.

Are these blanks ready to engrave?

The walnut and maple arrive kiln dried, precision sliced and sanded to a smooth finish, and both are called Glowforge ready. The padauk and black walnut are listed as smooth and unfinished. No finish or coating is stated on any of the four.

Which blank comes in the largest pack?

The black walnut strips come 25 to a pack. The walnut, maple and padauk each come 4 to a pack. For batch projects like coasters, the 25-pack needs no restocking as soon.

Related: the laser engraver hub, how to choose a laser engraver and alder vs basswood for laser engraving. Also see our laser engraving ideas to sell for Christmas.