Choosing from the best laser cutters is now harder than ever as these devices are being repurposed to be brought into the home and used for craft projects, art, and more. The best laser cutters can be used to cut materials as well as engrave and score to quickly create consistent, professional projects.
What can you do with a laser cutter? It varies, but the precision with which they cut the material gives them various functions. Using digital drawing software, you can translate the most detailed designs into the material of your choice.
I am expecting new laser cutters to be released in 2023 that can rival the machines on my list below, for example the upcoming Atomstack will offer a 33W S30 Pro laser, automatic pass-through and batch engraving.
While laser cutters are much cheaper and more readily available than they used to be, they still represent a significant financial investment, so it pays to do your research and find the right one. However, they can help take your crafting projects to the next level and are the perfect companions to your crafting machines.
What is a laser cutter?
A laser cutter is a device that creates patterns, shapes and designs by cutting materials such as wood, glass, paper, metal and plastic with a high-powered laser. The precision of the laser results in clean cuts and smooth finishes. Laser cutting has been used in mass manufacturing for decades, but recently laser cutting machines have become more affordable and are increasingly used by hobbyists, schools and small businesses.
How do you choose the best laser cutting machine for your needs?
First, you need to set a budget for yourself. Keep in mind that if you plan to monetize this skill, it makes sense to maximize your budget as much as possible to get the best possible end product at the lowest cost of use in the fastest time possible. Considering the cost of replacement parts is critical - you don't want to find yourself unable to keep the machine running. Another is speed, especially if your goal is to mass-produce products for sale within a limited amount of time. Accuracy is also important, so you might want to keep that in mind when narrowing down your options.
Size, weight, and power usage are further considerations, as your space may simply not accommodate any of these beasts, or they may be too power-hungry for you to run. That said, if you want speed, you may need to use more power for a more powerful cutting laser to get to the end result faster. You'll also want to check the dimensions of your cutting board to make sure it's large enough for whatever you're cutting.