Approved Materials & Where to Buy Them
Safe & Approved Materials
|
Material |
Cut? |
Engrave? |
Mark? |
Why It's Approved |
|
Acrylic (Cast & Extruded) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cast acrylic engraves with a frosted look. Extruded acrylic cuts but does not engrave as well. |
|
Coated Metals (Anodized Aluminum, Painted Metals) |
❌ No |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
Can only be marked using a marking spray like CerMark. |
|
Cork |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cuts well on low power settings. Engraves with a rough texture. |
|
Fabric (100% Cotton, Wool, Felt, Denim, Silk, Ballistic Nylon) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Natural fibers cut and engrave well. Synthetic fabrics may release toxic fumes. |
|
Glass |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Can only be engraved, producing frosted or textured effects. |
|
Leather (Vegetable-Tanned Only) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cuts well and engraves deeply. Chrome-tanned leather is unsafe due to toxic fumes. |
|
Matte Board |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cuts well but may char at high power settings. |
|
Mylar |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Thin sheets cut and engrave well. |
|
Paper & Cardboard |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cuts and engraves well, but fire risk requires close monitoring. |
|
Tile (Glazed, LaserTile, Saltillo) |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Engraves well but cannot be cut. |
|
Wood (Plywood, MDF, Hardwood) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Cuts cleanly, engraves deeply, may char at high power. MDF produces more smoke. |
Suggested Materials: Where We Buy Our Supplies
The Des Plaines Public Library buys craft materials in bulk for use in The Canvas, and we’ve put together this list of items we already know are safe to use with our machines. If you're looking to stock up on your own supplies, feel free to use this list as a helpful guide!
|
PLA Filament (3D Printer) White, Pink, Cyan, Yellow [Link] Rainbow [Link]
Metal Pinback Buttons 1 inch[Link] 1.5 inch [Link] 2.28 inch [Link]
Cricut Vinyl Sheets [Link] Iron-On Vinyl [Link] Cardstock [Link] Glitter Card Stock [Link] Sticker Paper [Link] Transfer Tape 16ft [Link]
Dye Sublimation Sublimation paper [Link] Mug Size Sublimation Paper [Link] Sublimation Mugs 36 mugs [Link] Sublimation Coasters [Link] Tote Bags [Link] |
Sewing Sewing Thread Color [Link] Sewing Thread B&W [Link] Embroidery Thread [Link] Embroidery Thread B&W [Link] Stabilizer No-Show Mesh [Link] Elastic Bands [Link] Buttons [Link]
Laser Cutter Basswood Sheets 12x12, 1/8 [Link] Cast Acrylic 8x8,1/8 [Link] Veg-tanned Leather [Link]
Other: 9x11.5” Laminating Pouches [Link] 11x17 Laminate Pouch [Link] Shrink Paper [Link]
Canon Printer 11x17 Luster Sheets [Link] 8.5x11 Luster Sheets [Link] Ink Owl Ink Replacements [Link] |