Wood is particularly strong in the CO2 laser process when precise geometry meets warm material aesthetics. Wood, plywood or related materials are suitable for labelling, displays, décor elements and functional visual parts in the Swiss B2B environment.
Wood convinces when not only the grain but also the application purpose is visible. The focus is on applications where wood precisely supports brand impact, orientation or product staging.
Signage
Laser-processed wood is suitable for door signs, wall objects, brand surfaces or wayfinding systems when a warm yet precise effect is desired.
Displays
In retail and hospitality contexts, wood is frequently used as a display material because it frames products calmly while allowing individual shapes or levels.
Engraving
Engravings on wood work particularly well when logos, lines, texts or ornamental details are cleanly incorporated and combined with the natural surface.
Material logic
Depending on plywood, solid wood or coated material, engraving contrast, edge appearance and processability change. Good results therefore begin with the right selection of the base material.
For door signs, wall objects and orientation elements when warm material aesthetics should be combined with precise engraving or clear contours.
Suitable for stands, counter solutions and seasonal staging when products should be calmly presented and individually designed.
Useful for logos, texts and decorative lines on wood surfaces when material character and detail effect should carry together.
Cutting thickness 1–12 mm (MDF, plywood, veneered panels). Engraving depth 0.05–3 mm adjustable – natural material variations affect engraving depth. Cut edge slightly charred; sandable or paintable if required. Minimum feature width from approx. 0.5 mm. Kerf width approx. 0.2–0.4 mm depending on thickness and wood type. Dimensional accuracy ±0.015 mm across the 813 × 508 mm work area (Trotec Speedy 360). Not recommended: high-glue-content pressed wood panels (increased smoke, reduced cut quality).
Material data
These figures come from the same database as our material check. Where something is not possible, it says so here and not only in the quote.
| Material | Cutting | Engraving | Marking | What this means in practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | yes | yes | yes | Cost-effective, dimensionally stable and precisely cuttable. The cut edge turns dark brown — a popular contrast effect. Heavy smoke is captured by our extraction system. |
| Plywood (birch, poplar) | yes | yes | yes | The standard material for maker and model building. Birch gives light surfaces with fine grain, poplar is lighter and cuts faster. Up to approx. 12 mm. |
| Solid wood (oak, beech, maple …) | conditional | yes | yes | Engravings on solid wood are first class — high-quality, dark burn engraving. Cutting is possible up to approx. 8–10 mm; resin-rich softwoods tend to leave burn marks on the edge. |
| Bamboo | conditional | yes | yes | The classic for engraved cutting boards and kitchen items: high-contrast, durable engraving. Cutting is only worthwhile in thin thicknesses. |
| Cork | yes | yes | yes | Cuts and engraves excellently — coasters, notice boards, packaging inserts. Natural cork and pressed cork are both suitable. |
| Coated wood panels (Melamine, HPL) | conditional | conditional | conditional | Feasibility depends on the coating — for unknown compositions we check the material before processing. Melamine-coated panels can often be engraved well (contrast effect). Send us the material specification, we check suitability for free. |
Plywood up to roughly 12 mm, solid wood up to about 8 to 10 mm. Beyond that the edge chars heavily and the cut stops being clean. Engraving depth does not depend on material thickness.
Resinous softwoods tend to mark along the cut. That is a property of the material rather than a setting: the resin ignites locally. Birch plywood and MDF give noticeably more even edges.
They are the standard materials: MDF for technical parts and jigs, birch plywood for bright surfaces with fine grain. Poplar is lighter and cuts faster.
It is a burn engraving, so the contrast sits in the wood rather than on it. It does not rub off. On solid wood the result is particularly deep and dark.
Wood project
With information on material, format and desired effect, it can be quickly checked whether wood is the right path in the current CAESS profile.
