Laser cut paper and engraved paper have become an effective and advanced method of converting paper products. You can find laser cut paper applications in many industries. Especially in the printing and packaging industry, where design and craftsmanship are very important. It is difficult to make a big difference with traditional flat printing. However, the development of laser cutting technology has greatly expanded the design of paper packaging. It helps to achieve low cost and high quality returns. The popularity of laser paper cutting applications relies on the development of laser technology. The most commonly used CNC laser machine is the CO2 laser cutting machine. It is very good at cutting non-metallic materials such as paper, acrylic, fabric, wood, leather, etc. This article also provides a brief introduction to CO2 laser cutting machines in the latter part of this article. Come check out this article and find a project that interests you to develop your laser cut paper project.

Can lasers cut paper? The answer is yes!  
 Laser cutting is a relatively new post-press processing technology. And laser cutting is a processing method that uses a high-density laser beam to cut paper products. It can produce hollow or semi-hollow patterns on various types of paper. By focusing the light into a compact beam, the laser cutter can precisely control the cutting of paper, including corrugated board and card stock. Although laser machines are expensive, the laser paper cutting process allows for high volume production and keeps production costs at a reasonable level. Combined with the use of computer design software, the CNC paper cutter allows for complex laser cutting designs. It makes laser-cutting paper easier and more accurate. Unlike traditional paper cutting, laser cutting takes full advantage of the high energy and high density properties of the laser. The laser beam irradiates the paper causing it to vaporize, thus leaving a certain geometry behind. In addition, there is no physical contact during the entire laser cutting and laser engraving paper process. Therefore there is no distortion, damage or burning of the paper.

Why laser cut paper?
Laser paper cutting offers superiority that cannot be matched by ordinary die stamping machines. As a result, more and more paper packaging and process manufacturers are choosing laser cutting methods. There is no direct contact or impact on the paper during the cutting process. So there is no mechanical deformation of the paper. No die or tool wear occurs during the laser engraving process. As a result, laser-cut paper has less waste and a low defect rate. Laser cut paper has high flexibility. Computer software is used to design the layout with high precision and efficiency. In addition, CO2 laser machines can cut and engrave complex patterns according to customer needs. No tooling is required for cutting paper, and the machine does not need to be adjusted frequently during the cutting process. This saves a lot of time and production costs.

Laser cut paper projects
Laser cut paper has many uses in the market. For example, 3D greeting cards, wedding invitations, packaging boxes, window cutouts, 3D paper sculpture models, paper crafts, and 3D note paper. There are also cake borders, cake inserts, hand-drawn stencils, stickers, etc. Here are some simple laser cut paper projects for your reference. Quickly browse and choose one to start your own.

What types of paper can be laser cut?
Paper is probably the best material for laser applications. Laser cut paper products are both delicate and practical. Although paper is thin and flammable, laser CNC cutters can achieve perfect results with the right settings. In addition, paper materials are readily available, low cost, and vary in color, smoothness, and thickness. CO2 laser cutters can cut paper types such as

1. White card stock

 White cardboard is wear-resistant and not easily damaged. Its hardness and stiffness are greater than that of coated paper. Therefore, laser cutting cardboard is widely used for printing business cards, documents, calendars, etc.  

2. Copy paper

As the most commonly used paper, it is cheap and easy to buy. So it is very suitable for practicing with copy paper before official cutting. However, copy paper is soft and fragile, and the edge of laser cutting is easily curled.

3. Copperplate paper

It is thicker and more expensive than copy paper, but has less smoothness. It is easy to be painted with various colors. So laser cut coated paper has wide application in advertising, publishing, printing and packaging industries.

4. Carton paper

Its thickness is between that of copy paper and cardboard. This makes it suitable for making laser-cut paper celebration cards and 3D models. Laser cut cardboard products include business cards, invitation cards, postcards, and scrapbooks.

5. Cardboard

Cardboard is ideal for laser cutting. This paper is stiff, does not fold easily and has a high burning point. Laser cut cardboard has flat and smooth cut edges without any burrs.

6. Corrugated cardboard

Corrugated cardboard has a smooth surface, consistent thickness and high stiffness. It is ideal for use as packaging boxes. In addition, there are many laser cut corrugated board toys and molds.

Laser cutting paper method
►Laser cut paper

CO2 laser treats paper by rapidly evaporating the paper material into visible smoke. Laser cut paper cuts paper and emits smoke. At the same time, the smoke is removed in time to minimize the possibility of burning or scorching.

► Laser engraved paper Laser engraved paper can be cut to obtain different results. And laser engraving is best done with thicker paper, such as cardstock or corrugated cardboard. Unlike cutting, laser engraved paper removes some of the surface material instead of cutting it off. 

► Laser Marking Paper Compared to laser engraving, laser marking has a much shallower processing depth. It will leave light or dark marks on the surface of the paper.

Laser Cut Paper Packaging
Laser cut paper packaging box makes the product look very high class. The hollow pattern on the gift box helps attract consumers' attention and desire to buy, thus promoting product sales. Of course, the various hollow elements will undoubtedly increase the manufacturing cost. Therefore, it may be too costly to replace the molds of traditional die-cutting machines. But CO2 laser machines do not need dies, saving production costs and increasing efficiency.  

Laser cut cardboard or corrugated packaging boxes are used to hold gifts, food, crafts, stationery, etc. The exquisite packaging can leave a deep impression on the person who receives the gift. In addition, unique packaging can make your products stand out and promote sales. Laser marked packaging can also serve as an anti-counterfeit function.

Laser-cut paper cards
Although mobile communication is becoming more and more common, many people still prefer to give paper greeting cards on holidays or other occasions. Nowadays, beautiful laser-cut paper cards have gradually replaced the traditional flat printed cards. This is because these greeting cards offer more variety and a more sophisticated style.  

CO2 laser CNC paper cutter can not only cut and engrave hollow patterns, but also make three-dimensional cards. Imagine how you feel when you open a wedding invitation card with a 3D image of the bride and groom standing on the paper hugging each other. You will definitely feel the happiness and joy of the couple. And you would like to be present at the wedding to bless the couple in person.  

Laser cut paper cards include wedding invitations, event invitations, holiday cards, birthday cards and other pop-up cards. CO2 laser cutters can cut paper cards with a large number of openings and fine cutting contours. Traditional die-cutting machines may have difficulty producing such designs. But a CO2 laser cutter can do it quickly and efficiently.

Chinese Paper Cutting
Paper cutting is one of the traditional folk arts of the Chinese people. It has a long history and has endured. Traditional paper-cutting artworks are hand-cut by folding paper and scissors. However, this is impractical for companies with mass production needs.

However, the development of CO2 laser machine perfectly solves the need for mass production of paper cutting. The laser CNC paper cutter makes cutting paper more efficient and easier. And the computer design software allows you to design a variety of interesting and novel graphics. No matter how complicated the pattern is, laser CNC paper cutter can help you achieve it.

Laser cut paper cutting greatly reduces production time. In addition, the delicacy of laser cutting is comparable to handwork.
 
Laser Cut Paper Crafts and Art
Laser cut paper projects have a wide range of applications in the field of crafts, art and 3D paper models. The paper cutting process takes a lot of time and effort. In addition, because paper is fragile, a small mistake can leave your craft inadequate. With the help of laser paper cutters, we can quickly create intricate and delicate paper crafts and artworks without flaws.

You can take home laser-cut paper buildings and landmarks as travel souvenirs for your family. In addition, you can choose some laser-cut paper crafts to decorate your home or store during the holiday season. For example, Halloween paper lanterns, paper Christmas trees, decorations, etc. Using CO2 laser cutting machine can achieve fast mass production of paper crafts. You can use it to make a fortune before the holidays.
 
Laser Cutting Corrugated Cardboard Project
Corrugated cardboard is everywhere in your life, such as the delivery boxes you receive every day. Laser-cut corrugated cardboard projects are also common in life. Compared to ordinary paper, corrugated board is thick and stiff, and is less likely to deform even when used for large projects.

Common laser-cut corrugated projects in everyday life include lampshades, molds, toys, crafts, and packaging boxes. In addition to cutting, you can also engrave special patterns or letters on the surface to make your products stand out.

Laser cut paper projects are often delicate, high-grade and diverse. Traditional die-cutting equipment is especially overwhelmed when it comes to cutting and engraving fine and complex patterns. But laser cut paper machines are not limited by materials or processes, and one machine can perform multiple functions.

How much wattage does it take to laser cut paper?
We all know that the thicker the material to be cut, the more important it is to use high power for better cut quality. Therefore, you may need to perform many tests to find the right settings for laser cutting and laser engraving paper. There are many ways to accomplish this process. In addition, you may have to repeat tests due to any changes in paper type. This is especially true for changes in thickness and weight. Laser cut paper tests can be a boring process, but they can help you improve your knowledge and skills. As a result, it can save you time on future projects.

Generally speaking, a 40w laser cutter can cut plain paper, corrugated paper, etc. very well. And a 40w laser cutter is also good enough for laser engraving paper. However, if you use special paper, you'd better consult your CO2 laser cutting machine supplier and let them recommend the right laser power for you.

Laser cutting paper tips
The paper removed during the high-speed laser cutting process will evaporate into smoke. And the smoke takes away the heat from the paper, so the thermal load on the paper is minimal. Laser CNC paper cutters can achieve the finest contours with proper setup, air supply and smoke exhaust. Therefore, before you start, please read the following tips for better laser cut paper results.

Even for the same CO2 laser engraving machine model, the power output will vary from level to level. Therefore, it is best for you to do some preparation and testing of the laser cutting paper. This is to determine the best power supply and other settings for your own project. Adjust the proper and correct focal length. Tiny mistakes can have a big impact on the cutting results. So pay attention to the focal length and cutting results. Before each use of your CO2 laser engraver, remember to check that the mirror and lens are clean and in good condition. If there is dust or damage, clean or replace the mirror or lens. Keep the table level. This is especially important for manual focus CO2 laser cutters. Otherwise, uneven cutting will occur. Since paper is very thin, hold the paper firmly in place during laser cutting. For example, use a vacuum table or honeycomb table to help hold the paper in place. Good smoke evacuation prevents high temperature fumes from affecting the cutting results. So remember to exhaust the fumes in time.

What laser machine is used for laser paper cutting?
As we mentioned above, the most commonly used laser CNC paper cutter is a CO2 laser cutting machine. A 40W laser cutting machine can cut all kinds of paper very well. There are many brands of CO2 laser cutters on the market. Some may cost as little as $500. However, industrial grade paper laser cutters are more expensive, up to $2000 or more. The price of paper laser cutting machines varies greatly depending on the brand, size, configuration and other factors.

Conclusion
Laser paper cutting is a process in which a high-energy laser beam is projected onto the surface of paper to cut through or create a hollow pattern. The process is very simple. You use design software to convert your ideas into files, and a CO2 laser cutter can automatically process the files and perform the cutting process. Of course, you need to set the parameters correctly. Laser-cut paper products have a richer geometric design and a more ornate 3D effect than flat printed paper products. In addition to purchasing a laser machine, you can also choose a paper laser cutting service. But this only applies if you don't need to use laser-cut paper very often. Or you don't know how to operate a laser machine. For example, you need to customize unique wedding invitations for your wedding or company anniversary invitation cards. However, buying a CNC laser cutting machine is the best choice for companies that have a need for mass production of laser cut paper projects. There is a vast market for laser cut paper projects. If you also want to participate in this field, you can take a look at our CO2 laser machine. If you have any questions about which laser machine to choose, please feel free to contact us.