I run production for a small manufacturing shop. When a client needs custom-cut acrylic displays for a trade show in 48 hours, I’m the one triaging the order. We’ve tested desktop laser cutters for about three years now—and burned through more than a few urgent jobs. Here are the answers to the questions I get most often about the Glowforge Pro and laser engraving in general.
Is the Glowforge a CO2 Laser?
Yes, the Glowforge Pro (and the Glowforge Plus) uses a CO2 laser tube. Specifically, it’s a 40-45 watt CO2 laser. That’s important because CO2 lasers are great for cutting and engraving non-metals: wood, acrylic, leather, paper, fabric. They work by heating the material with infrared light.
The most frustrating part of the CO2 vs. fiber debate: people assume a 45W CO2 laser can cut thin steel. It cannot. CO2 lasers reflect off most metals, so they can’t cut them directly. We use ours for engraving anodized aluminum—the laser takes off the anodized coating, leaving a visible mark. That’s all.
In January 2025, a client asked if the Glowforge could cut 1/8" stainless steel for a prototype. It took me about 15 minutes to explain the physics—and another hour to find a fiber laser vendor who could do it. (Note to self: always ask about material before promising anything.)
Can the Glowforge Engrave Metal? What About Steel Laser Cutting?
Short answer: The Glowforge can mark some metals, but not cut them. If you’re specifically looking for a laser metal engraving machine or steel laser cutting, the Glowforge is not the tool for that job.
What it can do:
- Engrave coated metals (like anodized aluminum) by removing the coating layer.
- Engrave stainless steel with a special marking spray (Cermark or similar). The spray bonds to the metal, and the laser burns it on.
- Cut or engrave almost every non-metal that fits inside the machine.
What it cannot do: cut steel, aluminum, copper, or brass. For that, you need a fiber laser or a CO2 laser with significantly more wattage (like 150W+). We keep a separate vendor on retainer for fiber laser cuts—when we need steel cut, we use them.
I have mixed feelings about the Glowforge’s marketing around metal. On one hand, the machine is incredibly versatile for what it is. On the other, the line between “engrave” and “cut” gets blurry. If you need a laser metal engraving machine that can actually cut steel, budget $20,000+ and get a fiber laser.
What Materials Can a Laser Cutter Cut? (And What Can’t It?)
This is the question I get asked most, and it always comes up when someone is in a rush. What can a laser cutter cut? Here’s the honest breakdown based on what we’ve run through our Glowforge Pro:
| Material | Cut? | Engrave? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (plywood, basswood, balsa) | Yes | Yes | Thickness limit ~1/4". Thicker needs more passes. |
| Acrylic (cast or extruded) | Yes | Yes | Smokes; cut slow for clear finishes. |
| Leather (natural, not synthetic) | Yes | Yes | Fumes—needs ventilation. |
| Paper, cardstock, cardboard | Yes | Yes | Burns fast; watch for fire. |
| Anodized aluminum | No | Yes | Marks the coating only. |
| Stainless steel | No | Yes (with spray) | Requires Cermark or similar. |
| PVC, Vinyl | No | No | Creates chlorine gas—damages machine and lungs. |
| Polycarbonate (Lexan) | No | No | Bubbles and burns; won’t cut. |
Honestly, the Glowforge is a fantastic tool for non-metal production. If you’re prototyping signage, making custom wedding decor, or doing small batch packaging—it excels. But if you need a steel laser cutting machine, keep looking.
How Reliable Is the Glowforge Pro for Rush Orders?
Here’s where my perspective comes in: I’m the person who gets the call when a client’s first vendor falls through. In Q3 2024 alone, we processed 47 rush orders with a 95% on-time delivery rate. That includes 2 Glowforge jobs that went down to the wire.
The Glowforge Pro is a desktop machine. It’s not industrial equipment. That means:
- Speed: It’s slower than an industrial-grade CO2 laser. If you need 500 units by tomorrow, you’ll want an Epilog or Trotec—or, honestly, a vendor with a production floor. The Glowforge is great for 10-50 units in a day.
- Reliability: We haven’t had hardware failures, but the cloud-based workflow is a risk. If the internet goes down, the machine stops. In March 2024, we had a client’s order sitting on the machine, and our ISP cut out for 20 minutes. The job restarted from scratch. (We now have a backup wired connection.)
- Precision: For $6,000, the Glowforge is decent. For a $60,000 industrial laser, it’s not. The edges on thick acrylic can be slightly angled—fine for craft use, not fine for medical device components.
In October 2024, we paid $300 in rush shipping to get a batch of acrylic cut by a third-party laser shop. The Glowforge job would have taken 4 hours; the industrial took 30 minutes. The $300 bought us 3.5 hours of production time. Worth every penny.
If you’re running a craft business—selling on Etsy, doing event signage, custom gifts—the Glowforge Pro is a solid choice. If you’re a manufacturer quoting steel laser cutting or volume production, it’s not the right machine. The best tool is the one matched to the job. Period.
Does the Glowforge Need a Subscription?
Yes, and no. The Glowforge Pro can run in free mode (called “Basic”), but you get limited proofgrade materials and no priority printing. The subscription tiers start at $50/month (as of November 2024) and unlock faster processing and more material profiles. In our experience, the subscription is worth it if you’re using the machine daily—the free mode’s queue times can stretch to 30 minutes during peak hours.
Final Thoughts: Is the Glowforge Pro Right for You?
The Glowforge is not a magic bullet. It’s a specific tool for a specific range of jobs. If you are:
- A small business owner making custom acrylic, wood, or leather products
- Needing quick prototyping (1-20 units per batch)
- Comfortable with a cloud-based workflow (internet-dependent)
- Budgeting $6,000 and up for a machine
…it’s worth considering. If you need metal laser engraving (actual cutting) or steel laser cutting, look at fiber laser systems or partner with a production shop. The Glowforge does what it does well—but knowing its limits is what saves you from a last-minute scramble.
Pricing as of January 2025. Verify current rates at glowforge.com.
