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CNC & Laser Cutting Sheet Goods


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When you're using 1/4" or thinner wood with a laser cutter or CNC router, you have to employ some techniques to force the wood flat. Thin wood does not stay flat. 


Here’s what to know—and how to work around the natural tendency of wood to warp:


3 Tips to Keep Your Material Flat

1. Use Hold-Downs: On a laser bed, flatness is everything. Use magnets, painter’s tape, or weights to force warped plywood to lay flat. CNC machines may benefit from vacuum tables or screw-down spoilboards.


2. Choose MDF-Core Panels: MDF (medium-density fiberboard) doesn't move with humidity the way real wood does. Plywoods that are bonded to an MDF core stay flatter, longer.


3. Store It Right: Keep sheets stacked flat with weight on top, away from direct sunlight or dry airflow (like AC vents). Warping often starts before you even use it.


Pros and Cons of Common Laser/CNC Materials

Here’s a breakdown of our most popular sheet goods for laser cutting or CNC routing, including how well they stay flat and what to expect when working with them:


1. MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)

    Flatness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best-in-class for staying dead flat


Pros: Smooth, consistent density ideal for engraving and cutting; affordable; doesn’t warp with humidity


Cons: Produces fine dust (use proper filtration); edges may char heavily on a laser; doesn’t hold screws well


Best For: Clean engraving, painted signs, and structural laser-cut parts


2. Baltic Birch Plywood (3mm, 6mm, 12mm)

    Flatness: ⭐⭐ Often warps slightly due to solid veneer core layers


Pros: Strong, durable; excellent for CNC cutting; appealing light grain; consistent internal layers


Cons: Susceptible to warping in thin sheets; occasional voids; may need flattening before laser use


Best For: CNC structural parts, boxes, jigs, models


3. Melamine on Plywood Core

    Flatness: ⭐⭐⭐ Generally stable, though plywood core may warp with time


Pros: Slick surface; resists scratches; bright white or black finish; doesn’t need finishing


Cons: Brittle melamine edges may chip when cutting; plywood core can still warp over time


Best For: Cabinet backs, signage, templates


4. Premcore Plus White Birch Plywood

    Flatness: ⭐⭐⭐ Better than basic plywood, but not as stable as MDF core


Pros: Cleaner faces; fewer voids than cheap plywood; light birch appearance; affordable


Cons: Still a veneer-core product, so minor warp can occur in thin sizes


Best For: Decorative panels, basic CNC or laser cutting


5. 1/4" Solid Hardwood Pre-Cut Packs (Maple, Walnut, Cherry)

    Flatness: ⭐⭐⭐ Often requires flattening—solid wood moves a lot more when it's wide


Pros: Real hardwood with rich grain; great for premium engraving


Cons: Prone to cupping or twisting; inconsistent flatness; more expensive


Best For: Custom signage, gift boxes, art pieces


6. 1/4" Hardwood Plywood on MDF Core

    Flatness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very stable due to MDF core


Pros: Beautiful real hardwood face (like walnut or maple); MDF keeps it flat; engraves cleanly


Cons: Slightly more delicate to handle than veneer-core; MDF edges may need sealing


Best For: Premium laser engraving, signs, wall art, box building


The Bottom Line

If flatness is your top concern for laser or CNC work, MDF or hardwood plywood on MDF core are your best options. These materials offer the stability you need to get precise cuts and clean engraving without fighting warped stock.