Best UV laser settings for marking plastics
UV (355 nm) marks plastics by a cold photochemical process rather than heat, giving high-contrast marks with minimal melting — ideal on light plastics and where a heat-affected zone is unacceptable. These are gentle starting points; UV couples efficiently, so less is more.
Recommended starting-point parameters
| Power | 20–50% |
|---|---|
| Speed | 500–2,000 mm/s |
| Frequency | 30–80 kHz |
| Passes | 1–2 |
| Line interval / hatch | 0.01–0.02 mm |
Dialing it in
- ›UV needs far less power than fiber on plastics — start low to avoid melting or foaming.
- ›Different polymers (ABS vs PC vs PP) respond very differently; test per material.
The material-test workflow
The fastest way to a reliable cut is not a perfect chart — it's a tight test loop that you only run once per machine/material combination, then never repeat:
- 1Start from this baseline. Load the starting-point numbers above as the center of your test.
- 2Run a small array. Cut a grid that sweeps speed (and power, if cutting) ±20% around the baseline — typically 9–16 small squares.
- 3Judge the edge. Look for dross, burn-back, kerf width, and squareness. Pick the square that meets your part's requirement, not the prettiest one.
- 4Log it once. Save the winning parameters against this exact machine + material so the next job starts from your proven number — not a generic chart.
Stop re-running the same test square
CutLog gives you a starting point calibrated to your wattage and lens, then remembers every cut you log — so your machine builds its own proven library. Free to start.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a UV laser to mark plastic?▾
UV light marks via a cold photochemical reaction, producing crisp high-contrast marks with almost no heat-affected zone or melting, which fiber and CO₂ struggle with on many plastics.
Last reviewed 2026-06-28. Values are conservative starting points generalized across brands and published cutting charts; always verify on your own machine.