Laser cutting material
Baltic birch plywood laser cutting
Baltic birch is plywood built entirely from thin birch plies, glued with the grain alternating. It is stiffer and more stable than solid wood of the same thickness and has far fewer voids than construction plywood, which is why it is the standard sheet for laser-cut jigs, fixtures and boxes.
- Thickness
- .125, .250 in
- Largest part
- 23.2 x 11.6 in
- Smallest part
- 1/4 in
- Ready in
- 2 - 3 business days
- Next-day rush
- +50%
- Order minimum
- $25
If the sheet isn't on our shelf, ordering it can add time. We tell you before we start.
Thicknesses
Every baltic birch plywood thickness we cut
Price per part for the 4 x 4 in plate (four 1/4 in corner holes and a 1 1/2 in centre hole), from the same engine as the instant quote.
| Thickness | x11 part | x1010 parts | x5050 parts | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .125 in (3.2 mm) | $5.41 | $2.61 | $1.89 | Quote birch plywood, .125 in |
| .250 in (6.3 mm) | $9.20 | $4.21 | $3.10 | Quote birch plywood, .250 in |
Per part, before the $25 order minimum and any rush. Your own part is priced from its size, cut length and holes.
Example prices
What real parts cost in baltic birch plywood
At .250 in. Each one is a template you can open and change.
4 x 4 in plate
Four 1/4 in corner holes and a 1 1/2 in centre hole
- 1 part
- $9.20
- 10 parts
- $4.21
- 50 parts
- $3.10
11 x 11 in panel
Rounded corners, four 1/4 in mounting holes
- 1 part
- $37.36
- 10 parts
- $15.49
- 50 parts
- $11.49
4 in disc
A plain 4 in circle: coasters, bases, blanks
- 1 part
- $6.34
- 10 parts
- $2.83
- 50 parts
- $2.09
Price per part, before the $25 order minimum. Small parts are priced at a per-part minimum, so they barely change with size.
Fit
When baltic birch plywood is the right call
The laser leaves a dark brown edge where it burns through, with the plies showing as fine stripes. Faces are natural birch, so color and grain vary from sheet to sheet, and a face can carry a small patch where the mill repaired a knot.
Good for
- Jigs, fixtures and nests
- Tab and slot boxes and enclosures
- Prototypes and mock-ups
- Signs and display parts
- Packaging inserts
Pick something else when
- It will live outside or get wet. Untreated plywood swells and delaminates; seal it, or pick acrylic.
- You want a flawless paint finish. MDF has no grain to telegraph through the paint.
Design rules
What the laser needs from your file
- Largest part
- 23.2 x 11.6 in (589 x 294 mm), either orientation
- Smallest part
- 1/4 in on its short side; smaller gets a person's review
- Between cuts
- Leave at least 1/16 in of material between holes and edges
- Outlines
- Closed shapes only, any number of parts per file
- Text
- Convert to outlines, or it won't be cut
- Files
- DXF or SVG, priced instantly
Care and handling
Looking after baltic birch plywood parts
- The cut edge can leave a little soot on your fingers at first. A wipe with a damp cloth takes it off.
- Expect a smoky smell straight off the laser. It fades within a few days in open air.
- Store flat and dry. Thin plywood can bow if it is stored on edge or in damp air.
- Takes stain, paint, oil and glue well. Seal it for anything that will see moisture.
Templates
Parts people cut in baltic birch plywood
No drawing needed. Open one, type your dimensions, and the price updates as you go.
Questions
Baltic birch plywood laser cutting FAQ
- What thicknesses of baltic birch plywood do you laser cut?
- .125, .250 in (3.2 mm, 6.3 mm).
- How big can a laser cut baltic birch plywood part be?
- Up to 23.2 x 11.6 in (589 x 294 mm), either way round. The smallest part we cut without a person checking it first is 1/4 in across its short side.
- How long does laser cutting baltic birch plywood take?
- Most orders are ready in 2 - 3 business days, or the next business day with rush (+50%). If the sheet isn't on our shelf, ordering it can add time. We tell you before we start.
- Is there a minimum order?
- The order total has to come to at least $25. There is no minimum quantity: one part is fine.
- What file do I need?
- A DXF or SVG, one part or a whole set per file, with every outline closed and any text converted to outlines. No file? Start from a template and type your dimensions.
Price your baltic birch plywood part now.
Upload a DXF or SVG and see the price in seconds. Cut in Atlanta, free local pickup.