What to Know When Engraving, Cutting, or Marking Cork

Cork is a popular substrate for engraving that produces a great contrast. It’s hearty and durable as well. Popular items include cork coasters, cork menus, cork notebooks, etc.

We recommend a relatively high-speed (about 90%) and mid-grade power (typically 40-60%) to produce a nice mark on this material.

On the other hand, cutting cork can sometimes result in a residue or charring around the edges. To help eliminate this, users can try reducing their frequency settings. This means the laser pulses less, which can help with reducing the charring. Another thing to be mindful of when cutting cork is to make sure your lenses are clean. Cutting or engraving cork can produce significant smoke and residue, and using air assist will help reduce flare-ups.

Try This: Laser Engrave a Leatherette Cork Journal