Laser cutting vs laser engraving
Updated September 28, 2026
The short answer
- Laser cutting goes all the way through the sheet to make shapes, letters and signs.
- Laser engraving only marks the surface, for names, logos and photos.
- Most keychains, signs and cake toppers use both. At Stak Maker, laser jobs start at ₱150.
Which one does your job need?
Side by side
| Cutting | Engraving | |
|---|---|---|
| What the laser does | Goes all the way through | Marks the surface |
| What you see | A clean edge that glows on clear acrylic | A frosted mark |
| Good for | Shapes, letters, cake toppers, signs | Names, logos, photos, dates |
| Files | SVG, DXF, AI or PDF | The same, or PNG and JPG |
| Price follows | Cut length | Engraved area |
How to set up cut and engrave layers
The details
How the price is built
- Sheet area your pieces use.
- Machine time: cut length plus engraved area.
- One setup fee per job, so many pieces in one job cost less each.
- Minimum ₱150 per job. The Make Lab shows an estimate in seconds; we confirm the exact price before you pay.
Materials we cut
| Material | Thickness | Good for | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear acrylic | 2 mm | Keychains, signs, blanks | Baseline |
| Clear acrylic | 3 mm | Toppers, sturdier signs | Slightly more than 2 mm |
| Black acrylic | 2 mm | Signs, logos, toppers | About the same as clear 2 mm |
| Gold mirror acrylic | 2 mm | Cake toppers, awards, decor | About twice clear |
Need wood, MDF, coloured acrylic or another size? Message us, we’ll say if we can source it.
What we don’t do
We don’t cut metal. For engraving on items you already have, message us a photo and the size first.
Laser cutting and engraving FAQ
Can you engrave photos?
Yes, on acrylic, or wood on request. Send a clear, high-contrast JPG or PNG. If it won’t engrave well, we’ll message you before production. Get an estimate.
How thick can you cut?
We stock 2 mm and 3 mm clear acrylic, plus 2 mm black and gold mirror acrylic. Need wood, MDF or another thickness? Message us, we’ll say if we can source it.
Which file should I send?
Vector files cut best: SVG, DXF, AI or PDF. For engraving, PNG or JPG also works. See how to prepare your file.
Is cutting or engraving cheaper?
Neither by rule. Price follows sheet area and total machine time; large engraved areas take longer than simple cuts. Every job starts at ₱150. See laser cutting.
