Uv vs Co2 Laser for Plastic: Which One Should You Buy?

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uv vs co2 laser for plastic: the short answer

The TroLase listings name CO2 laser engraving and cutting, and they also name diode laser engraving. The acrylic sheets in this guide are listed for laser cutting and engraving without naming a laser type in the sheet listing, so the machine guidance and the material listing together decide the job. UV is not named as a laser type in any sheet listing here, so a UV job needs a separate check against the material maker guidance and the machine guidance before cutting or marking. Never laser PVC, vinyl, PVC faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS, and work with ventilation and a fire watch in place, following the machine manual for the job.

Plastic types in this guide

Cast acrylic appears as the clear Deylixay sheet for cutting and engraving. The Deylixay sheet is clear cast acrylic, listed at 12 x 12 inch and 1/8 thick, with 3mm also given in the title, and the Gdhwxcl sheet is light green acrylic, listed at 10 x 10 inch and 1/8 thick. Modified acrylic appears as a two-ply engraving sheet with a contrasting core. The TroLase Black and White sheet is modified acrylic with a thin top layer over a core, so engraving reveals the contrasting core, and the TroLase Lights film is a flexible double-color sheet with a micro-surfaced top layer over a core, so engraving also reveals the contrasting core. TroLase Lights is a flexible film, not a rigid sheet.

Gear for plastic work

Trotec TroLase Black and White

This sheet is listed at 12 inches by 24 inches and 1/16 in the title, with 12 inches by 24.25 inches in the technical data, at a thickness of 0.06 inches, given as 1/16 and 1.6 mm, and an engraving depth of 0.003 inches, given as 0.8 mm. The pack holds 4 pieces, with a Black top color (RAL 8022) and a White core color (RAL 9016), and an opaque transmittance. The listing names CO2 laser engraving and cutting and diode laser engraving, and it also lists digital, UV printing, screen printing, rotary engraving and hot stamping alongside laser work. It is described as UV stable and for outdoor signs and decoration, as well as labels, badges and handicrafts.

Trotec TroLase Lights Gold and Black

This film is listed at 24 inches by 12 inches and 1/250 in the title, with 24.25 inches by 12 inches in the technical data, at a thickness of 0.004 inches, given as 1/250 and 0.1 mm, and an engraving depth of 0.002 inches, given as 0.4 mm. The pack holds 10 pieces, with a Smooth Gold top color and a Black core color, and an opaque transmittance. It is adhesive-backed, flexible and robust, with a micro-surfaced top layer, and it is listed for labels, stickers, badges and trophy plates, and for indoor application. The listing names CO2 laser engraving and cutting and diode laser engraving, and it also lists digital, UV printing, screen printing, rotary engraving and hot stamping alongside laser work. It adheres to metals, plastic, rubber and wood as listed, so the film is a label material first.

Deylixay Clear Cast Acrylic

This sheet is listed at 12 x 12 inch and 1/8 thick, with 3mm also given, in a pack of 5 pieces, with a weight of 1.3 pounds in the spec table. The title and bullets give 1/8 and 3mm, while the spec table gives product dimensions of 12.0 inches by 12.0 inches by 0.2 inches, so the thickness figure needs a careful read against the title and bullets. It is clear cast acrylic, described as recyclable, lightweight, shatter-resistant and easy to cut, and it can be cut by laser, table saw, jigsaw, drill, router or band saw as listed. Uses listed include laser cutting, engraving, badges, UV printed signs, home decor and crafts. Each sheet comes with double-sided protective film to prevent scratches during shipping, and the film must be removed before use. It is described as UV-resistant, with a smooth surface finish, for outdoor billboards, signage and laser engraving.

Gdhwxcl Light Green Acrylic

This sheet is listed at 10 x 10 inch and 1/8 thick, in a pack of 2 pieces, in Light Green. It is described as recyclable, durable and lightweight, with sheets that cut cleanly with laser, leaving smooth edges and minimal residue. It can be cut with a laser, table saw, jigsaw, drill, router or band saw as listed. Uses listed include cake toppers, art projects, stands, model making, ornaments, photo frames and stand-up signs, plus creative DIY projects, badges and crafts. It is described as a smooth-surface laser material for outdoor billboards and signs, with color and text that stay clear for a long period as listed. No laser type is named in this sheet listing, so the machine guidance decides whether a CO2, diode or UV job fits this sheet.

Cutting or marking: how to decide

Start from the job, not from the laser name. Cutting means taking a sheet apart into parts or shapes, and the clear and light green acrylic sheets here are listed for laser cutting, with smooth edges given for the light green sheet. Marking means changing the surface so a design shows, and the contrasting-core sheets here are built for that job, since engraving reveals a contrasting core under a thin top layer. Labels mean a thin, adhesive material that sticks to another surface, and TroLase Lights is the only adhesive-backed film here, for labels, stickers and badges. Thickness and depth also guide the choice. Each listing gives its own engraving depth figure: 0.003 inches for the Black and White sheet and 0.002 inches for the Lights film. Where a listing names CO2 and diode, as the TroLase listings do, that naming is the match to use. Where a listing only says laser, as the Deylixay and Gdhwxcl listings do, check the machine guidance and the material listing together before starting.

Safety, ventilation and materials to avoid

Laser cutting and engraving need ventilation for fumes and a fire watch during work, with the machine manual followed for the job. Never suggest or attempt lasering PVC, vinyl, PVC faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS, since those materials are outside the safe scope of this guide. Eyewear protection: Not stated for these sheets, since no OD value and no wavelength range is given in the sheet listings, so eyewear choice must come from the machine guidance, not from a sheet listing. Fume and fire guidance here is general workshop practice, not a health claim. Follow the machine manual and the material listing for a given job.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Can CO2 lasers cut clear acrylic?

The acrylic sheets here are listed for laser cutting without naming CO2, and the TroLase listings name CO2 laser engraving and cutting for their modified acrylic sheets. A CO2 job on an acrylic sheet needs a check against the machine guidance and the sheet listing before starting.

Can diode lasers engrave plastic sheets?

Yes for the TroLase sheets here, since both TroLase listings name diode laser engraving alongside CO2 laser engraving and cutting. The Deylixay and Gdhwxcl listings say laser without naming diode, so check the machine guidance for those sheets.

What plastic should never go in a laser?

Never laser PVC, vinyl, PVC faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS. Those materials are outside the safe scope of this guide, and no sheet in this guide is listed as one of those materials.

Which sheet suits labels?

TroLase Lights suits labels, since it is an adhesive-backed flexible film listed for labels, stickers, badges and trophy plates, at 24 inches by 12 inches and 1/250 with 10 pieces in the pack. TroLase Lights is the only adhesive-backed film in this guide.

Must protective film be removed before laser work?

Yes for the Deylixay sheet, since each sheet comes with double-sided protective film to prevent scratches during shipping, and the listing says to remove the film before use. No protective film is listed for the other sheets here, so follow each sheet listing for its own handling.

Related: the laser engraver hub, co2 vs fiber laser for plastic and diode vs co2 for cutting boards.