Please be respectful of other customers' appointments and remember to account for setup and cleanup time when planning a project. All materials should come with proof of purchase or other documentation specifying what the material consists of and must be approved by library staff before use. Library staff have the right to refuse the use of any materials that may pose a health risk to others and will err on the side of caution.
Approved Materials
Wood
-
Natural wood; ULEF certified or formaldehyde-free, laser-grade plywood and MDF
- Solid wood thickness must be less than 18mm (0.7”)
- Plywood and MDF thickness should not exceed 12mm (approx. ½”)
- If etching only, thickness can exceed 12mm
- Corkboard
Plastic
-
Acrylic sheets (cast or extruded)
- Sheets should be less than 20mm (0.8”) thick
- NOTE: Plexiglass and hardware store grade plastics are difficult to verify and likely to be deemed unsafe. Look for acrylic sheets that are specifically designated for use in laser cutting.
- Mylar
- Delrin
Leather
- Untreated
- Oil or vegetable-tanned
Fabric
- 100% cotton
- Denim
- Felt & wool (cut only)
Paper
- Cardboard
- Mat board
- Paper
Rubber
- Laser-grade/odorless rubber
- Natural rubber
- Silicone
Metal
Engraving Only
- Coated metal
- Anodized aluminum
- Anodized titanium
- Stainless steel (only with marking spray applied)
-
With 5W IR Laser Module (only at the Abrahams Branch)
- Gold
- Brass
- Stainless steel
Stone & Glass
Engraving Only
- Ceramics (including tile and enamel)
- Marble/granite/soapstone
- Glass
- With 5W IR Laser Module (only at the Abrahams Branch)
- Cement
- Stone
Prohibited Materials
Wood
- Pressure-treated (often has a slightly green tinge)
- MDF, HDF, plywood, or other engineered woods with glue containing formaldehyde
- Adhesive or resin-filled
- Oily/resinous woods
Plastic
- PVC/any plastic containing chlorine
- Polycarbonate
- ABS
- Polystyrene and polypropylene foam including foam board
- Teflon
- HDPE
- Carbon fiber
- Acrylic sheets containing glitter and other non-acrylic materials
- Rubber outside of the types specified in the approved section
- Fiberglass
- Self-adhesive material
- Vinyl
Leather
- Chrome-tanned
- Pleather or artificial leather
Metal
- Galvanized metal
- Uncoated/unpainted metal
Other
- Materials marked “flame retardant”
- Glued materials with glue of unknown origins
- Food
- Any material containing halogens