Prime Day Is Here.
Built for Makers. Priced for Prime Day 丨SHOP NOW
In this guide
Fabric and felt are useful materials for custom makers, textile sample teams, craft studios, small businesses and product personalization workflows. They can be used for patches, appliqué pieces, labels, bag decorations, ornaments, packaging inserts, textile samples and short-run custom products.
Quick Fabric Cutting Reference
For Gweike MCore fabric cutting, use the 80W CO₂ laser head. The available reference setting is for single-layer cloth / fabric: 100 mm/s for High Speed or 98 mm/s for Best Speed, based on a 90% laser power basis and a 50mm focal lens.
For most finished products, start with Best Speed: 98 mm/s. For felt, use the cloth setting only as a testing baseline, not as a final production parameter.
| Material | Layer | MCore Laser Head | High Speed | Best Speed | Power Basis | Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloth / Fabric | Single layer | CO₂ 80W | 100 mm/s | 98 mm/s | 90% laser power | 50mm focal lens |
These values are starting references, not guaranteed final settings. Fabric and felt vary by fiber type, weave, thickness, coating, dye, backing material and moisture. Always test on scrap material before production.
Which MCore Laser Head Should You Use for Fabric and Felt?
The Gweike MCore combines two laser sources in one desktop system: a 400W fiber laser and an 80W CO₂ laser. These sources are designed for different material categories.
| Material | Correct MCore Laser Head | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric / cloth | CO₂ 80W | Use the single-layer fabric reference and test on scrap. |
| Felt | CO₂ 80W | Test-required; no dedicated felt setting is currently available in the provided reference data. |
| Leather | CO₂ 80W | Use the separate MCore leather cutting settings. |
| Wood / MDF / plywood | CO₂ 80W | Use the wood and MDF cutting guide. |
| Acrylic | CO₂ 80W | Use the MCore acrylic cutting speed chart. |
| Carbon steel / stainless steel | Fiber 400W | Use fiber laser cutting parameters. |
| Aluminum / brass | Fiber 400W | Use fiber laser settings and material-specific guidance. |
MCore 80W CO₂ Fabric Cutting Parameter Chart
The available reference data provides a setting for single-layer cloth / fabric. This guide does not invent separate values for cotton, polyester, denim, canvas, felt, multi-layer fabric or adhesive-backed material.
| Material | Layer | High Speed | Best Speed | Power Basis | Recommended Lens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloth / Fabric | Single layer | 100 mm/s | 98 mm/s | 90% laser power | 50mm focal lens | Test on actual fabric before production. |
How to use this chart
- Start at 98 mm/s for cleaner, more controlled cuts.
- Use 100 mm/s for fast sampling or non-critical edges.
- Keep the fabric flat and stable.
- Use light to moderate air assist.
- Make sure fume extraction is running before cutting.
- Test on scrap from the same fabric batch.
- Do not stack multiple layers unless the process has been tested.
If the cut does not fully separate, reduce speed gradually and test again. If the fabric burns or turns brown, check fume extraction, air assist, material type and whether the fabric contains coatings or adhesives.
Why Felt Needs Separate Testing
Felt is included in this guide because many users search for fabric and felt cutting together. However, felt should not be treated as the same material as lightweight cloth.
The available reference data provides a single-layer cloth setting. It does not provide a dedicated felt speed table.
| Felt Variable | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Thicker felt needs more energy per unit length and may require slower speed. |
| Fiber type | Wool felt, polyester felt and blended felt can react differently. |
| Density | Dense felt may resist cutting more than lightweight cloth. |
| Adhesive backing | Glue layers can create odor, residue or melting. |
| Dye and coating | Surface treatments can change edge color and smoke behavior. |
Fabric Types: Cotton, Polyester, Canvas and Felt
Different fabrics behave differently under a CO₂ laser. The same speed can produce a clean edge on one material and a burned, frayed or melted edge on another.
Cotton fabric
Cotton is a natural fiber. It can brown or char if too much heat stays near the cut line. It may also fray more easily than some synthetic fabrics because the edge does not melt and seal in the same way.
Use the fabric reference setting only as a starting point and test on scrap material.
Polyester fabric
Polyester is a synthetic fiber. Under a CO₂ laser, it may slightly melt at the edge. In some cases, this can help reduce fraying. In other cases, it can create a hard edge, odor or residue.
Confirm the material is laser-safe before cutting.
Canvas
Canvas is usually thicker and more structured than single-layer lightweight cloth. Do not assume that the single-layer cloth setting is a finished canvas setting.
If the material is waxed, coated or adhesive-backed, verify the composition before laser cutting.
Felt
Felt is usually thicker and denser than cloth. It can cut well only after the material has been tested and the speed is adjusted for thickness and density.
Use a small square, circle or patch outline first.
Air Assist and Lens Setup for Fabric Cutting
Fabric and felt cutting need controlled airflow. Too little air assist can leave smoke near the cut line. Too much air assist can move lightweight fabric, lift edges or distort the cut shape.
| Setup Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Laser head | CO₂ 80W |
| Lens | 50mm focal lens |
| Air assist | Light to moderate airflow |
| Workholding | Keep fabric flat and prevent movement |
| Ventilation | Active fume extraction required |
| Test method | Small scrap test before production |
Lens choice
Use a 50mm focal lens as the starting setup for fabric cutting. A shorter focal length concentrates energy near the material surface and is suitable for thin, soft materials such as cloth and leather.
Air assist
Use light to moderate air assist. The airflow should clear smoke and reduce small flare-ups, but it should not be strong enough to move the fabric during cutting. Do not use a fixed MPa value unless it has been tested on your actual setup.
Workholding
Fabric is lightweight and flexible. It may move if airflow is too strong or if the material is curled. Keep the fabric flat, avoid wrinkles, hold down the edges when appropriate and test small details before cutting a full design.
How to Reduce Fraying, Burn Marks and Smoke
Fabric cutting quality depends on material type, speed, airflow, fume extraction and workholding.
Reducing fraying
Fraying depends mainly on fiber type and weave. Polyester may slightly melt at the edge, which can reduce fraying. Cotton and other natural fibers may fray more easily.
- Start with the Best Speed setting.
- Use a clean design file with closed paths.
- Avoid excessive airflow that moves the fabric.
- Test different fabric suppliers if edge quality is important.
- Do not assume all fabrics will seal at the edge.
Reducing burn marks
If the edge browns or burns, first check whether the material is safe and suitable for CO₂ laser processing. Then check airflow, extraction and fabric flatness.
- Speed may be too slow for the fabric.
- Smoke may be staying near the cut line.
- Air assist may not be clearing the kerf.
- The material may contain coating or adhesive.
- The fabric may not be flat during cutting.
Reducing smoke and odor
Fabric can produce smoke and odor during laser cutting, especially if it contains synthetic fibers, dyes, coatings or adhesives. Always use active fume extraction. Stop cutting if the odor is sharp, chemical or irritating, smoke color or volume looks abnormal, the edge melts heavily, sticky residue appears or the material composition is unknown.
Materials to Avoid: PVC and Unknown Vinyl
| Material | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| PVC fabric | Do not laser cut. |
| Vinyl-coated fabric | Do not laser cut unless confirmed laser-safe. |
| Unknown plastic-coated fabric | Do not cut until composition is confirmed. |
| Adhesive-backed fabric | Test only if the adhesive is confirmed laser-safe. |
| Unknown synthetic sheet | Do not cut. |
If you are unsure whether a material contains PVC or vinyl, do not cut it. Ask the supplier for the material composition first. For a dedicated safety guide, see why you should not laser cut PVC and safer alternatives.
Fabric and Felt Projects You Can Make with Gweike MCore
Fabric and felt are useful for small businesses because they support personalization, low-volume production and design changes without tooling.
Fabric patches
Custom shapes and small batches for cotton, polyester or felt after testing.
Appliqué pieces
Repeatable decorative shapes for apparel, bags and craft products.
Hat and apparel labels
Useful for boutique brands and small apparel runs.
Felt ornaments
Seasonal products and gift items after material testing.
Textile samples
Fast prototyping and sample development for soft goods.
Packaging inserts
Custom shapes for product presentation using felt or fabric after testing.
For more product ideas using MCore, see what small businesses can make with Gweike MCore.
How to Test a New Fabric or Felt Sheet
Because fabric and felt vary widely, do not start with a full production design. Use a small test first.
Confirm the material is laser-safe
Identify whether it is cotton, polyester, wool felt, blended felt, coated fabric or adhesive-backed fabric. Do not cut unknown vinyl, PVC or unidentified plastic-coated fabric.
Use the CO₂ 80W laser head
Select the CO₂ laser head on the MCore. Do not use the fiber laser for fabric or felt.
Start with the fabric reference setting
For single-layer cloth, start with 98 mm/s for cleaner cuts or 100 mm/s for faster sampling. For felt, use this only as a testing baseline.
Cut a small test shape
Use a small square, circle, patch outline or sample shape that includes corners and curves similar to the final design.
Check cut-through and edge quality
Check separation, fraying, edge color, melting, material movement, odor and residue.
Adjust gradually
If the cut does not separate, reduce speed gradually. If the edge burns, improve fume extraction and air assist first.
Save the final setting
Record material type, supplier, thickness or layer count, speed, power basis, lens, air assist setup and edge quality notes.
Troubleshooting
The fabric does not cut through
The speed may be too high, the fabric may be denser than expected, or the material may not be flat. Reduce speed gradually and test again. Also check focus and workholding.
The fabric moves during cutting
Air assist may be too strong, or the fabric may not be held flat. Reduce airflow, flatten the sheet and secure the edges before cutting again.
The edge burns or turns brown
Check fume extraction, air assist and material type. Cotton and other natural fibers can brown when too much heat stays near the edge.
The edge melts or becomes hard
This usually happens with synthetic fabric. Some melting may reduce fraying, but heavy melting or sticky residue means the material may not be suitable or the settings need adjustment.
Felt does not cut cleanly
Felt may be thicker, denser or blended with synthetic fibers. Do not assume cloth settings will work. Test small shapes and reduce speed gradually.
The smell is unusually strong
Stop cutting and check the material. Strong chemical odor may indicate coating, adhesive, vinyl or another unsafe component.
FAQ
Which MCore laser head should I use for fabric and felt?
Use the CO₂ 80W laser head. Fabric, felt, leather, wood, MDF and acrylic are non-metal materials and should be processed with the CO₂ laser. The 400W fiber laser is for metal processing.
What speed should I use for single-layer fabric on Gweike MCore?
For single-layer cloth / fabric, start at 100 mm/s for High Speed or 98 mm/s for Best Speed, based on 90% laser power and a 50mm focal lens.
Can I use the same setting for felt?
No. The available reference data provides a single-layer cloth setting, not a dedicated felt setting. Felt should be treated as a test-required material. Start with a small test shape and adjust gradually.
What lens should I use for fabric cutting?
Use a 50mm focal lens as the starting setup for fabric and other thin soft materials.
Should I use strong air assist for fabric?
No. Use light to moderate air assist. Strong airflow can move fabric, lift edges or distort the cut shape. The goal is to clear smoke without shifting the material.
Can Gweike MCore cut polyester fabric?
It may be possible if the material is confirmed laser-safe, but polyester can melt at the edge. Test on scrap material first and stop if there is strong odor, sticky residue or abnormal smoke.
Can Gweike MCore cut cotton fabric?
Cotton fabric can be tested with the CO₂ laser head, but it may brown or fray depending on weave, thickness and dye. Use the single-layer cloth setting only as a starting reference.
Why does fabric burn or turn brown when laser cut?
Burning can be caused by too much heat dwell, poor smoke extraction, insufficient air assist, material coating or fabric not lying flat. Test on scrap and adjust gradually.
Can I cut multiple fabric layers at once?
Do not use stacked fabric as a default production method. Multiple layers can shift, trap smoke and produce inconsistent edges. Test single-layer cutting first.
Can I laser cut PVC fabric or vinyl-coated fabric?
No. Do not laser cut PVC, vinyl or unknown plastic-coated fabric. These materials may release corrosive and hazardous fumes. See the guide on why you should not laser cut PVC and safer alternatives.
Final Notes
The Gweike MCore 80W CO₂ laser head can be used for fabric cutting workflows, especially for single-layer cloth, patches, appliqué pieces, textile samples and custom products. The available reference setting is 100 mm/s High Speed and 98 mm/s Best Speed at a 90% power basis with a 50mm focal lens.
Felt should be treated as a test-required material because no dedicated felt speed table is available in the provided reference data. Do not copy cloth settings directly into production. Test first, inspect cut quality and save your final preset only after verification.
Do not laser cut PVC, vinyl or unknown plastic-coated fabric. Material safety comes before speed settings.
Need a dual-laser setup for metal and non-metal projects?
Gweike MCore combines a 400W fiber laser and an 80W CO₂ laser in one desktop system, helping small shops handle metal, acrylic, wood, leather and fabric workflows in one platform.
View Gweike MCore →