Understanding Masking for Laser Cutting with Acrylic

Masking plays a crucial role in laser cutting, helping to prevent burn marks or flashbacks on the material. At Houston Acrylic, most of our products come pre-masked to save you time and effort. Below, we'll guide you through the types of masking we provide and offer tips on how to get the best results from your laser-cutting projects.

Types of Masking on Our Products

1. Paper Masking:

   • Default Masking: Most of our materials come with a paper masking already applied. This masking is designed to withstand the laser-cutting process and prevent unwanted marks on your final piece. We use this masking in our lasers and find it to be highly effective.
   • Optional Replacement: While the paper masking works well, a few customers prefer to remove it and apply their own. This is entirely optional and based on personal preference.

2. Plastic Film Masking:

   • Plastic Film: Some of our products come with a plastic protective film. Although this film is considered laser-safe, we recommend removing it from both sides and replacing it with paper masking for better results.
   • Mirror Acrylic: Mirror acrylic typically comes with a plastic film on one side. For best results, we suggest removing the plastic and replacing it with paper masking on both sides. Some customers choose to leave the plastic film on and mask over it, especially if they find that masking tape leaves residue behind.

3. Two-Tone Acrylic:

   • Special Instructions: Two-tone acrylic comes with a plastic film. We do not add paper masking to two-tone acrylic when lasering, as masking can prevent the core color from showing through properly during laser cutting.

Recommended Masking Materials

For those who choose to apply their own masking, we recommend using Vinyl Ease masking tape, which can be purchased on Amazon (find it on our Amazon List linked in the footer of our website). Painter’s tape is another viable option. It’s crucial to ensure the masking doesn’t overlap or have air bubbles, as these imperfections can cause cutting issues. We apply our masking by hand or use paper dispenser.

Pro Tip: Some customers use Dawn dish soap as an alternative to masking, applying a thin layer to prevent burn marks.

Masking Based on Laser Type

Depending on your laser cutter, you may find that masking only one side of the acrylic—the side that touches the laser bed—is sufficient. However, since every laser is different, we generally recommend masking both sides unless you have experience with your specific setup.

Final Notes on Masking and Shipping

We aim to provide products that are ready for your laser-cutting projects, with most items pre-masked with paper. However, for items that come with a plastic film, we recommend replacing it with paper masking for the best results.

Please note that we do not offer additional paper masking services for products that do not already have paper masking. Our team works diligently to ship orders the same business day, and adding this service could delay shipping.

For any additional questions or specific masking needs, feel free to reach out to our customer support team. We're here to help ensure you have the best possible experience with your laser-cutting projects!