Laser Engraving & Cutting Cardboard

Ⅰ.The most cost-effective engraving material - Cardboard

Have you ever thought how many materials around you is made of cardboard? For designers and manufacturers, cardboard is a magical material. Not only is it one of the most versatile materials in terms of physical properties; it is also one of the most cost-effective way to turn ideas into laser cutting reality.

Compared with other materials, cardboard has a huge advantage of low price. As a kind of raw material, due to its extensive use in the global packaging industry, its cost is low. Cardboard is light in weight, faster in transportation and lower in cost. In terms of laser cutting, the unique internal structure of corrugated cardboard means that it can be cut quickly-which makes cardboard one of the materials with the lowest cost of laser cutting time.

Different Types Of Cardboard:

Cardboard is a general term for thick paper products, which has greater thickness and superior durability or other specific mechanical properties of paper; such as foldability, rigidity, and impact resistance. The structure can range from a thick board called cardboard to a corrugated fiberboard made of multiple corrugated and flat layers. 

Type#1: Various cards

Various types of cards can be used, and they can be called "card boards". Including: thick paper (various types) or pasteboard used for business cards, perforated cards, postcards, playing cards, catalog covers, binding, scrap booking, and other binders that require higher durability than ordinary paper.

Type#2: Corrugated fiberboard 

Corrugated cardboard, sometimes referred to simply as corrugated paper, is a strong packaging material made of three layers of kraft paper. It is named after the inner layer of corrugated paper, also called corrugated paper, which gives the cardboard strength. In the manufacturing process, the inner pages go through a corrugating process to form grooves or hard folds on the paper. Then glue the corrugated paper between two pieces of kraft paper to form an outer lining. Due to the three-layer structure, corrugated cardboard is much stronger than ordinary cardboard. Corrugated fiberboard is sometimes called corrugated cardboard, although the cardboard may be any heavy pulp paper.

Corrugated cardboard has the following main advantages:

• Light:The cardboard corrugated box is light in weight and more convenient to carry.
• Affordable: Because of the raw materials used to make the product, they are also relatively cheap compared to other box alternatives.

Type#3: Matboard

The most common use of matboard is for photo frames. It helps to protect artwork or photos and give them a competitive appearance while keeping them flat and safe. There are several different types of pads, including standard matboards, white core matboards, black core and color core matboards, and protection boards.

Type#4：Paperboard

This is a very thin cardboard that can be used for everything from cereal boxes to toilet paper rolls. Cardboard is also called particle board or carton, it is not as strong as corrugated cardboard, so it is used for lighter objects or non-load bearing purposes. Basically, really thick paper, that cuts easily and remains light and strong.

• Solid Boxboard (Solid bleached board):

Medium density with a white coated surface that is odorless with a hygienic look. Boxboard is a kind of cardboard, mainly used for packaging items, for cereal boxes or shoe boxes. Some items need to be packaged in durable materials, which are still light enough to carry. Boxboard provides an excellent solution for such items.

• Grey paperboard:

Gray cardboard is made at least partly from recycled paper materials. This type is most commonly used for packaging purposes. It is usually gray because it is made of recycled materials and is usually not bleached.

Ⅱ.How to engrave/cut cardboard?

Laser cutting:

Laser cutting involves the use of a powerful and precise laser to cut the material, focusing on a reduced area. Laser cutting thickness can reach 15 mm. There are multiple power sources for the laser. They can be continuous or pulsating. The incision left by the laser when cutting cardboard is very small. Since the heat-affected zone on the cardboard is very small (approximately 0.5 mm), the cut pieces will not deform too much.

At Monport laser, we have 80W CO2 laser engraving machines because they can cut all types of non-metal materials at high speeds. Next, we use the machine to do a comparison experiment of cutting and engraving on the cardboard for your reference.

MACHINE: MONPORT 80W CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine

MATERIAL: One piece of 3mm Cardboard

PARAMETER SETTINGS（CUTTING）:

• Cutting speed: 15mm/s
• Cutting power: 25%—30%

Laser engraving:

Laser engraving is a subtractive manufacturing method based on using a laser beam to change the surface of an object. This process allows the creation of an image visible to the naked eye on the object. The heat from the laser is enough to smash the substance, creating a cavity that makes up the final image. This is a fast method because every pulse of the laser removes material.

When you import a vector file, we will determine the area to be engraved and cut under your control. For more information, please check our information on transferring vector files.

MACHINE: MONPORT 80W CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine

MATERIAL: One piece of 3mm Cardboard

PARAMETER SETTINGS（ENGRAVING）:

• Engraving speed: 500 mm/s
• Engraving power: 20%—25%

Cardboard Considerations:

• Flutes: Corrugated flutes present an issue for rastering cardboard, as they can be exposed unevenly and look bad.

• Highly flammable: Corrugated cardboard is particularly susceptible to fire, because this structure creates air bubbles that allow oxygen to penetrate the material.

Ⅲ. Applications

Cardboard is a reasonably priced and strong material, making it ideal for many different applications, from advertising to packaging, arts and crafts, special wedding invitations and more. Common cardboard laser cutting applications created from laser cut shapes include:

• Arts and crafts
• Custom boxes and packaging
• Business cards and other professional supplies
• Signs and displays
• Greeting card
• Invitation
• Table card

Ready to laser cut with Cardboard?

With Monport laser engraving and cutting machine you’re just a few clicks away from professional Cardboard laser engraving/cutting. Your engraving machine can be delivered straight to your door.

Get started now!