What Speed and Power Should You Use to Engrave Wood?
For engraving plywood or basswood, a 10 W diode typically runs about 60–150 mm/s at 20–50% power, and a 40 W CO2 about 150–300 mm/s at 10–25%, both with a line interval near 0.1 mm. Darker engraving means lower speed or more power, but too much chars the wood. Test on scrap first.
There is a moment, halfway through a first engraving, when the pale plywood starts to show a warm brown picture, and you want to cheer. The opposite moment is a black, smoky smudge where a delicate bird was supposed to be. The difference is mostly speed and power.
Engraving wood is a balance between two numbers. Here are typical starting values, and how to adjust them.
Typical engraving settings for wood
Engraving is raster work, with the head sweeping across the area and a line interval of about 0.1 mm. These are starting ranges for plywood and basswood. Always test on scrap.
| Laser | Speed (mm/s) | Power | Line interval | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diode 5 W optical | 40–100 | 40–80% | 0.1 mm | Light to medium brown |
| Diode 10 W optical | 60–150 | 20–50% | 0.1 mm | Medium brown |
| Diode 20 W optical | 100–250 | 15–40% | 0.1 mm | Medium to dark |
| CO2 40 W | 150–300 | 10–25% | 0.1 mm | Medium brown |
| CO2 60 W | 200–400 | 10–20% | 0.1 mm | Medium to dark |
| CO2 100 W | 300–500 | 8–20% | 0.1 mm | Dark, good for deep detail |
If your software shows mm/min, multiply mm/s by 60 (100 mm/s is 6000 mm/min).
Light, medium and dark: how to steer the result
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| Lighter engraving | Raise speed by 20–30% or lower power by 5–10 points |
| Darker engraving | Lower speed by 20–30% or raise power by 5–10 points |
| Sharper details | Check focus, use a finer interval (0.07–0.1 mm) |
| Deeper relief | Use a coarser interval (0.15–0.2 mm) and a slower speed or two passes |
| Less charred edges | Raise speed, lower power, use air assist at low flow |
A worked example
You want to engrave the great tit bird ornament on 3 mm plywood with a 10 W diode. Start at 100 mm/s, 35% power and 0.1 mm interval. The first test is pale, so you drop to 80 mm/s. Now the shading looks right, but the fine feather lines are fuzzy. Check focus: it was 1 mm too low. After refocusing, the feather lines are crisp and you can go back to 100 mm/s and keep the tone. Total test time: about ten minutes.
Pro tip: Run a test grid with speed on one axis and power on the other. In LightBurn this is the Material Test under Laser Tools. Pick the square you like and write down the numbers.
What changes the result
- Wood type: basswood is soft and even, hardwoods need more power, resinous softwoods burn unevenly.
- Grain direction: engraving lines running along the grain behave differently from lines across it.
- Moisture and finish: sealed or varnished wood reacts differently from bare wood.
- Focus: even half a millimetre off can soften details.
- Line interval: see what DPI to use for laser engraving.
Common mistake: Setting high power to make the engraving darker on a diode, then wondering why it is blurry. Too much power spreads heat sideways and smears detail. Slow down a bit instead, or run a second light pass.
Tips for clean results
- Mask the surface with painter's tape to keep smoke residue off the wood, then peel it after engraving.
- Wipe with a damp cloth or sand lightly to remove soot.
- Keep the wood flat and clamped.
- Use low air assist, enough to clear smoke without blowing dust around.
- Seal engravings that will be handled often with clear spray or oil.
See also laser engraving vs cutting for how the two jobs combine, and LightBurn settings for 3 mm plywood for the cutting side.
Questions and answers
How do I make an engraving darker?
Lower the speed by 20–30% or raise power in small steps. If the wood chars or the lines blur, reduce the interval or use a lighter hand with power and go slower instead.
Why does my engraving look uneven?
Check focus, belt tension and the material flatness. Uneven wood, such as plywood with different veneers, also burns unevenly.
Does engraving speed depend on the machine?
Yes. Many machines cannot reach their stated maximum speed in a small area because of acceleration limits, so the actual result may differ from the number.
What line interval should I use?
About 0.1 mm is a good general value on wood. Finer than your spot size does not help, and coarser leaves visible lines.
Which woods engrave best?
Basswood, alder, maple and cherry give clean, even tones. Plywood is variable, and softwoods like pine can be uneven because of resin and growth rings.
Is it better to engrave with one pass?
Usually yes for consistent shading. Several passes at low power can deepen the engraving but also increase the chance of misalignment and burnt edges.