Glowforge Pro Settings for Slate/Stone

Engraving Settings

How to Set Up Slate/Stone on the Glowforge Pro

1. 1Secure your slate/stone flat on the work bed using clamps, magnets, or a honeycomb pin set to prevent movement during the job.
2. 2Set your focus distance accurately — use the auto-focus probe if your machine has one, or measure manually with the focus gauge.
3. 3Ensure your water cooling system is running and the coolant temperature is between 15–25°C before starting the laser.
4. 4Enable air assist if available. A steady stream of air at the cut point removes debris, reduces charring, and helps prevent flare-ups.
5. 5Enter the speed, power, and pass count from the settings table above into LightBurn. The table lists both mm/min and mm/s — LightBurn defaults to mm/s, so use the mm/s value unless you have switched units. Use the “Cut” or “Engrave” layer settings panel.
6. 6Run a small test cut or engrave on a scrap piece of slate/stone before committing to your final project piece. Adjust power up or down by 5–10% based on results.

What to Expect When Lasering Slate/Stone

Engraving slate with a laser removes the dark surface layer to reveal lighter stone underneath, creating a natural-looking white or light grey mark. The contrast is distinctive and permanent. Results vary depending on the specific slate piece — test on each batch. Cutting slate is not possible with hobby-grade lasers. The 45W CO2 tube produces clean cuts on most non-metals, often in a single pass. Its 10.6µm wavelength gives acrylic a flame-polished edge that diode lasers cannot match, and cuts run faster and cooler than any diode at a comparable task.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ✗Running at full power on the first attempt — always start with a test piece at the recommended settings and adjust incrementally. Going straight to maximum power risks burning through the material or causing fire.
• ✗Treating a CO2 laser like a diode and running slow multi-pass cuts — at 45W you can usually cut in a single faster pass, and over-slow cuts melt edges and waste tube hours.
• ✗Expecting perfectly uniform results across the entire piece — natural slate varies in density and composition, so engraving depth and appearance will vary slightly across the surface.
• ✗Skipping the focus calibration step — an out-of-focus beam produces wider, less precise cuts and weaker engravings. Re-check focus every time you change material thickness.

Tips for Slate/Stone on Laser Machines

• ✓Higher power and lower speed produce a whiter, more visible mark on dark slate.
• ✓Clean the slate surface with alcohol before engraving for consistent results.
• ✓Seal the finished piece with a clear coat to protect the engraved design.
• ✓Natural stone varies in hardness and composition -- always test on a scrap piece first.
• ✓Coasters and wall art are the most popular slate laser projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Materials for Glowforge Pro

Slate/Stone Settings for Other Machines