Laser settings · Glowforge
Glowforge settings
Which Proofgrade preset to start from for every common material, reference power and speed values, and how to set up uncertified materials in the Glowforge app. Free, no account needed.
Machines covered
| Model | Laser |
|---|---|
| Glowforge Basic | 40 W CO₂ |
| Glowforge Plus | 40 W CO₂ |
| Glowforge Pro | 45 W CO₂, with passthrough slot |
| Glowforge Aura | 6 W diode |
Why Glowforge settings work differently
Most lasers take speed in mm/s and power as a percentage of the tube. The Glowforge app uses its own speed and power scale. It isn’t linear, and there’s no published conversion to mm/s, so numbers copied from a LightBurn chart won’t mean the same thing in the Glowforge app.
That is why the settings page leads with the Proofgrade preset to start from for each material. Proofgrade presets are calibrated by Glowforge, so starting from the nearest one and adjusting a single setting at a time gets you to a good result fastest. Reference power and mm/s values are shown alongside for comparison with other machines.
Uncertified materials
For anything without a Proofgrade QR code, choose Uncertified material in the Glowforge app, measure the thickness with calipers and type it in, then start from the preset the settings page suggests. For example, 3 mm basswood plywood starts from Proofgrade Medium Maple Plywood, MDF from Draftboard, and veg-tan leather from Proofgrade Leather.
| Proofgrade size | About | Closest common sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Thin | 1/16 in (1.5 mm) | Veneer, 1.5 mm laminate |
| Medium | 1/8 in (3 mm) | 3 mm plywood, MDF, acrylic |
| Thick | 1/4 in (6 mm) | 5 to 6 mm plywood, 5 mm acrylic |
Change one thing at a time. From the suggested preset, adjust speed or power by a small step and test on scrap. Changing several settings at once makes it hard to tell which one helped.
Using Laser Generator Studio files in the Glowforge app
- Upload the SVG or PDF you exported. Files are in millimetres, so they land at the exact size.
- Colours become steps. Red lines are cut, blue lines are score and black fills are engrave. The app makes one step per colour: set each to Cut, Score or Engrave.
- Pick the material: Proofgrade sets itself from the QR code; otherwise use Uncertified material as above.
- Order the steps: engrave first, then score, then cut, so parts stay put until the last step.
- Set Focus on warped boards so engraving stays even across the sheet.
- Long pieces on the Pro: turn on passthrough in the app and follow its alignment steps.
The Glowforge export preset in every studio writes one SVG per sheet, colour-coded by operation.
Glowforge Aura
The Aura is a diode laser, which changes what it can do. Like other blue diodes, it can’t cut or engrave clear acrylic, because the light passes through. Start from the Proofgrade preset for the material in the Glowforge app and test on scrap. More on diode limits on the acrylic and glass pages.
Good first projects
Glowforge owners often start with finger-jointed boxes, layered street maps and living hinges in 3 mm plywood: all three export Glowforge-ready SVGs. If a fit is loose or tight, measure your kerf with the kerf test.
Safety
Glowforge’s own safety rules apply: never laser PVC or vinyl, stay with the machine while it runs, and keep a fire extinguisher close. See the full list on the materials page.
Glowforge, Proofgrade, Glowforge Aura and the Glowforge app are trademarks of Glowforge, Inc. Laser Generator Studio is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Glowforge.