Wood is the most forgiving laser material for beginners, but settings vary wildly by species, coating, and machine. Here's a starting baseline for diode lasers:
| Wood | Speed (mm/min) | Power (%) | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood (uncoated) | 4000 | 45–55 | 254 |
| Maple (light) | 3500 | 50–65 | 300 |
| Walnut (dark) | 4000 | 40–50 | 254 |
| Plywood (birch) | 3000 | 60–75 | 254 |
| MDF (painted) | 2500 | 70–85 | 300 |
*Baseline for 20W optical power diode (e.g. xTool D1 Pro, Sculpfun S30 Pro Max)*
Fine-tune tip: Always run a power/speed matrix test first. The Reticle Red AI Advisor can generate a test parameter matrix for your exact machine and wood combination in seconds.
Grain direction matters: Engraving perpendicular to grain gives sharper lines. With the wood grain gives a more natural "burnt in" look.