What are the recommended materials for Laser Cutters?

The materials that are recommended and considered safe are:

• Untreated solid wood (for engraving)

• Baltic birch plywood (2-5mm in thickness)

• MDF (2-5mm in thickness)

• Acrylic plastic, either cast or extruded (2-5mm in thickness)

• Cardboard (be careful, very flammable!)

• Paper, like thick card stock (be careful, very flammable!)

• Cotton fabric (be careful, very flammable!)

Treated wood, plastics like PVC, vinyl, and anything else that off-gasses chemicals like chlorine is VERY dangerous. Do not use these types of materials in your laser cutter. 

Other materials like Lexan/polycarbonate/plexiglass may be safe but will perform poorly and may ruin your honeycomb bed.

Often local stores like specialty wood suppliers and sign maker suppliers (e.g., Piedmont Plastics) are the most cost-effective places to purchase materials. Local hardware or surplus stores may carry some of these materials. Big box hardware stores may have some materials, but they can often be expensive and of poorer quality.