MiMo Design · Free laser tools
Confused about laser power and speed settings? Build a clear test plan before engraving expensive materials or a big order.
Why material testing saves laser makers time
Different plywood suppliers, wood species, acrylic colors and even batches of the same material can behave differently under a laser. That's why copying someone else's power and speed settings rarely guarantees the same results.
Before you engrave a large batch of products, it helps to test a small grid of speeds and powers. This LightBurn material test planner makes it easy to think through your test range and export a reference CSV.
Important: LightBurn already has an excellent built-in Material Test generator. Use that tool for actual test engraving. My planner is educational; it does not communicate with your laser or produce a machine-ready job.
Free LightBurn Material Test Planner
Choose a practical speed and power range before opening LightBurn.
Use the same units throughout.
Select a range suitable for your actual machine.
Same unit for the whole grid.
Use conservative test settings.
Do not exceed manufacturer or material limits.
Between 2 and 8.
Between 2 and 8.
This planning grid and CSV do not generate a LightBurn job, laser-ready SVG or machine instructions. Use LightBurn's built-in Material Test tool to safely generate actual test patterns.
Always confirm material suitability, correct laser safety and manufacturer specifications before testing. Never blindly copy values between machines or materials.
How to run a LightBurn material test
- Identify your laser type, material, thickness and any coating. Confirm the material is safe to process.
- Start with manufacturer-recommended settings and select a conservative range.
- Use the calculator above to plan the speeds, powers and number of samples.
- In LightBurn, open Laser Tools → Material Test and configure the actual grid.
- Run the real test under proper supervision and with adequate ventilation and enclosure or approved eyewear.
- Compare contrast, engraving depth, edge quality, charring and processing time before choosing settings.
Should you test power, speed or passes?
Speed and power are a useful first combination for many engraving jobs. For cutting, passes and focus matter too. Advanced systems can expose frequency, interval and pulse settings, but the available parameters depend on the laser controller and the LightBurn device type.
Never assume a fast, high-power test is best. A darker mark may be due to charring rather than a better engraving, and slow cutting can overheat some materials.
How to build a reusable settings library
Save the best settings together with the machine, lens/module, material supplier, batch, material thickness and test date. Try a small confirmation piece whenever the material changes. LightBurn's official Material Test documentation explains presets and supported test parameters in more detail.
Make better decisions with your results
If your project is going to be sold, record the real processing time alongside the appearance of the finished product. Faster isn't always better, but time spent engraving affects your pricing. After testing, you can use my pricing calculator to translate that production time into actual costs.
Get personal guidance with Laser Maker Academy
Numbers are a starting point. Need help understanding your own laser project, finishing your design, setting up LightBurn, or finding a realistic product price? Explore MiMo Design's Laser Maker Academy and AI Laser Coach. You can describe your project and share photos for tailored suggestions—without treating AI estimates as guaranteed results.
Explore Laser Maker Academy →Frequently asked questions
Does this tool create a LightBurn SVG?
No. It creates a reference CSV and a planning grid. Use LightBurn’s own Material Test generator for laser-ready patterns.
Can the same settings work on every laser?
No. Wattage, beam, optics, material and controller settings all affect results.
Should I change speed and power at the same time?
A grid can compare two variables, but keep the remaining conditions constant and record them.
Can I test PVC or vinyl?
Do not laser-process materials that release hazardous fumes or are not confirmed laser-safe, including PVC/vinyl.
Keep learning: Once you know your project costs, use my free Laser Cutting Pricing Calculator to work out a selling-price floor, labor costs, and different profit margins.
This is a non-machine-ready planning tool. The downloaded CSV contains only sample parameters; always use the proper controller workflow.