What Materials Can the xTool F1 Ultra Mark and Engrave?
The xTool F1 Ultra combines a 20W fibre laser for metals and selected plastics with a 20W blue-diode laser for wood, leather, dark acrylic, paper and other compatible materials. This guide explains which laser source to use, what results to expect and which materials require caution.
Quick Answer
The xTool F1 Ultra’s fibre laser is mainly used for stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper, titanium, silver, gold, coated metal, anodised aluminium and selected engineered plastics.
Its blue-diode laser is mainly used for wood, bamboo, MDF, leather, paper, fabric, cork, dark opaque acrylic, painted surfaces, coated products and selected stone or ceramic items.
Some materials can respond to both laser sources, but the colour, depth, speed and surface effect may differ.
PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate and unidentified materials should not be treated as routine production materials. Their fumes may be harmful, corrosive or unsuitable for the machine. Reliable supplier documentation and extraction are essential.
How the Fibre and Diode Lasers Differ
Designed mainly for metals
The 1064 nm fibre source is used for direct metal marking, deeper engraving, surface removal and embossing-style effects on suitable metals.
Designed mainly for organic materials
The 445 nm diode source is commonly used on wood, leather, paper, fabric, cork, dark acrylic and coated products.
Choose according to the surface
Stainless steel, coated metal, some plastics, leather and selected acrylic colours may respond differently to both sources. Testing identifies the preferred result.
Laser wattage cannot be compared without considering wavelength
A 20W fibre laser can engrave many metals more effectively than a higher-wattage CO₂ or blue-diode laser because the wavelength interacts differently with the material.
Read CO₂ Laser vs Fibre Laser for a deeper explanation of laser wavelengths and material absorption.
xTool F1 Ultra Material Compatibility Table
| Material | Preferred Laser | Typical Process | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Fibre | Mark or engrave | Suitable for logos, names, serial numbers and deeper engraving. |
| Aluminium | Fibre | Mark or engrave | Results vary with alloy, finish and surface coating. |
| Anodised aluminium | Fibre or diode | Surface mark | The anodised layer can be changed or removed. |
| Brass | Fibre | Mark or engrave | Reflectivity and alloy composition affect settings. |
| Copper | Fibre | Test carefully | Highly reflective and thermally conductive; use controlled fibre settings. |
| Titanium | Fibre | Mark or engrave | Can produce contrast or controlled surface effects. |
| Gold, silver and platinum | Fibre | Suitable with testing | Use fixtures and test settings for valuable items. |
| Painted metal | Diode or fibre | Remove or mark coating | Coating composition must be confirmed. |
| Electroplated metal | Fibre | Mark or engrave | Test to avoid damaging a thin decorative plating layer. |
| Selected engineered plastics | Fibre | Marking varies | Resin, colour and additives determine contrast and safety. |
| Dark opaque acrylic | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Blue, black, red and other absorbing colours may work well. |
| Clear acrylic | Diode with coating | Coated surface marking | Not a replacement for CO₂ cutting or engraving of clear acrylic. |
| Wood and plywood | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Suitable for small products and shallow cutting. |
| MDF | Diode | Engrave or cut cautiously | Creates significant smoke; confirm resin and adhesive composition. |
| Bamboo | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Colour varies with fibre density and surface finish. |
| Natural leather | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Tanning method, oil and coating affect odour and colour. |
| Laser-safe PU leather | Diode or fibre | Verify first | Only use products specifically confirmed as PVC-free and laser-safe. |
| Paper and cardstock | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Highly flammable; continuous supervision is required. |
| Fabric and felt | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Confirm fibre, dye and coating composition. |
| Cork | Diode | Engrave or limited cutting | Useful for coasters and small personalised products. |
| Slate and marble | Diode or fibre | Surface engraving | Contrast varies with mineral composition and surface polish. |
| Ceramic | Diode or fibre | Surface marking | Glaze and coating strongly affect the result. |
| Clear glass | Diode with coating | Coated surface marking | Direct clear-glass processing is less reliable than CO₂ engraving. |
| Dark or coated glass | Diode | Possible with testing | Thin or stressed glass may crack. |
| PVC and vinyl | None | Avoid | May release harmful and corrosive chlorine-containing fumes. |
| Polycarbonate | None | Avoid | May release harmful smoke and produce poor results. |
| Unknown plastic or coating | None | Do not process | Obtain reliable material identification first. |
This is not a universal settings table
Metals, plastics, coatings and organic materials can differ significantly between suppliers and production batches. Use the official material library as a starting point and run a controlled test before commercial production.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the main materials suited to the F1 Ultra’s fibre laser. It can be used for fine surface marking, permanent identification and deeper engraving.
Typical stainless-steel products
- Metal business cards
- Industrial nameplates
- Serial-number tags
- Jewellery
- Tools and equipment
- Cutlery and utensils
- Machine components
- Corporate gifts
- Metal tumblers
- Watch components
Possible stainless-steel effects
- Dark surface marking
- Bright or polished-looking marking
- Shallow engraving
- Deep engraving
- Textured embossing-style effects
- Selected colour effects under controlled settings
Stainless-steel grade, surface polish and coating affect the result. Brushed, mirror-polished and bead-blasted surfaces do not behave identically.
Avoid unnecessary diode exposure on highly reflective metal
Highly reflective metal can redirect blue-diode energy towards the machine. Use the correct fibre-laser workflow and follow the machine’s material and safety instructions.
Aluminium
The fibre laser can mark and engrave many aluminium products. The result depends on the alloy, surface treatment, polish and whether the aluminium is bare, anodised, painted or powder coated.
Bare aluminium
Bare aluminium can be marked using the fibre laser, but some alloys are more reflective or difficult to produce strong contrast on. A test grid should be used to determine the preferred appearance.
Anodised aluminium
Anodised aluminium is highly suitable for personalised tags, cards and equipment labels. The laser changes or removes the coloured anodised layer to reveal a contrasting mark.
Powder-coated aluminium
The laser can remove a compatible powder coating and expose the aluminium underneath. Coating thickness, colour and chemical formulation influence speed and cleanliness.
Common aluminium products
- Metal business cards
- Asset tags
- Name badges
- QR-code plates
- Equipment labels
- Phone accessories
- Tumblers and bottles
- Decorative panels
Brass and Copper
Brass
Brass can be marked and engraved using the fibre laser. Suitable applications include nameplates, jewellery, keychains, plaques and premium corporate gifts.
Brass alloys vary. Decorative brass plating may be very thin, while solid brass can support deeper engraving. Confirm whether the product is solid, plated or coated.
Copper
Copper is highly reflective and transfers heat quickly. It can be more demanding than stainless steel or anodised aluminium.
Fibre settings should be tested carefully to control:
- Surface contrast
- Engraving depth
- Heat build-up
- Edge quality
- Oxidation and colour change
Plated metal is not the same as solid metal
Deep engraving on a plated product may cut through the decorative layer and expose a different base metal. The customer should approve this effect before production.
Gold, Silver, Platinum and Jewellery Metals
The fibre laser may be used for names, dates, logos, serial numbers and patterns on suitable jewellery metals.
Valuable items require additional controls:
- Confirm the exact metal or alloy
- Check for plating, stones and coatings
- Use a stable jig
- Test on a matching sample where possible
- Use framing before engraving
- Confirm the approved depth
- Protect polished areas from scratches
- Photograph the item before production
Jewellery risks
- Thin pieces can heat quickly
- Plating can be removed unintentionally
- Stone settings may be damaged by heat or movement
- Curved surfaces can distort the design
- Highly polished surfaces can affect positioning and reflection
Do not use a customer’s valuable item as the first test
Produce a test on matching scrap or a lower-value sample whenever possible. Exact engraving depth and colour cannot be guaranteed without testing the same material and finish.
Painted, Powder-Coated and Anodised Metals
Coated metals are common corporate-gift and identification products because the laser can remove or change the surface layer to reveal contrasting material underneath.
Common coated products
- Powder-coated tumblers
- Painted metal cards
- Anodised aluminium tags
- Coated tools
- Painted bottles
- Metal pens
- Phone accessories
- Promotional keychains
Important coating considerations
- Coating thickness
- Coating colour
- Adhesion to the base metal
- Heat sensitivity
- Potentially hazardous pigments or additives
- Whether the result should expose or preserve the metal
Unknown painted or plated products should not be processed until the coating composition is reasonably confirmed.
Plastics and Engineered Materials
The fibre laser can mark selected plastics because additives, pigments and fillers absorb the infrared wavelength. Possible results include light marks, dark marks, foaming, surface colour change or shallow engraving.
Plastic response depends on:
- Polymer type
- Colour
- Laser-sensitive additives
- Fillers and glass content
- Surface texture
- Flame-retardant treatment
- Part thickness
Possible engineered-plastic applications
- Electrical components
- Product housings
- Industrial switches
- Medical-device components where separately approved
- Automotive components
- Control panels
- Serialised plastic parts
Never guess the polymer
Similar-looking plastics can produce very different fumes and results. Obtain the resin name, supplier documentation or material safety information before testing.
Acrylic
The F1 Ultra’s blue-diode laser can engrave and perform limited cutting on many dark, opaque and strongly coloured acrylics that absorb blue light.
Acrylic colours that may work well
- Black acrylic
- Dark blue acrylic
- Red acrylic
- Orange acrylic
- Opaque green acrylic
- Two-colour engraving acrylic
- Selected mirrored acrylic from the correct side
Clear and pale acrylic
Clear acrylic allows much of the blue-diode light to pass through. A temporary coating may help create a surface mark, but this does not provide the same capability as a CO₂ laser.
The F1 Ultra is not the preferred machine for:
- Cutting clear acrylic
- Cutting thick acrylic sheets
- Producing large acrylic signs
- Obtaining polished CO₂-cut edges
Acrylic production requiring clear or larger sheets is generally better suited to the xTool P2S. Read What Materials Can the xTool P2S Cut and Engrave?.
Material differences are explained further in Cast Acrylic vs Extruded Acrylic.
Wood, Plywood, MDF and Bamboo
The 20W blue-diode laser can engrave wood efficiently and perform limited cutting on thinner compatible material.
Common wood applications
- Wooden keychains
- Coasters
- Gift-box lids
- Cutting boards
- Wooden pens
- Name tags
- Phone stands
- Small corporate gifts
Wood-result variables
- Species and density
- Grain direction
- Moisture content
- Natural resin
- Surface oil or varnish
- Colour and previous treatment
Plywood and MDF
Plywood glue layers and internal voids can affect cutting. MDF creates substantial smoke and contains resin binders, so effective extraction and verified board composition are required.
Bamboo
Bamboo products engrave well but can show different colour across dense and soft fibre sections. Laminated bamboo may also contain adhesive layers.
The F1 Ultra is primarily an engraver, not a large wood cutter
Small and thin wooden pieces can be cut using the diode source, but larger sheet cutting and thick wood fabrication are generally better suited to a larger gantry laser such as the P2S.
Natural Leather and Laser-Safe PU Products
The diode laser can engrave natural leather and verified laser-safe synthetic leather. Possible products include wallets, patches, keychains, luggage tags and notebook covers.
Natural leather
Vegetable-tanned leather is commonly used for engraving. Colour and odour vary with tanning method, oil, dye, thickness and surface finish.
PU leather
Some PU products are designed for laser engraving and expose a contrasting colour beneath the surface. Other synthetic leather products may contain PVC or an unidentified backing.
Use only products that are:
- Specifically sold as laser-safe
- Confirmed as PVC-free
- Supported by reliable supplier information
- Tested using a sample from the same batch
“PU leather” does not automatically mean laser-safe
Product names can be inaccurate or incomplete. The outer surface, backing, adhesive and reinforcement layers must all be considered.
Paper, Cardstock, Fabric, Felt and Cork
Paper and cardstock
The diode laser can engrave paper and perform limited cutting for gift tags, cards, invitations and packaging components.
Paper is highly flammable. Low power, appropriate speed and continuous supervision are essential.
Fabric and felt
Compatible fabric and felt can be marked or cut in smaller formats. Synthetic fibres may melt and seal, while natural fibres may leave a frayed edge.
Waterproofing, flame-retardant treatments, dyes and coatings must be identified before processing.
Cork
Cork can be engraved for coasters, mats, tags and decorative products. Agglomerated cork may contain adhesives, so extraction and testing remain important.
Slate, Marble, Ceramic, Cement, Brick and Glass
Slate and marble
Both laser sources may create visible surface marks on suitable slate and marble. The colour and contrast depend on the mineral composition and polish.
Ceramic
Ceramic tiles, mugs and coated products may be surface marked. The glaze or coating determines whether the result is light, dark or partially removed.
Cement and brick
Small cement or brick products may accept a surface mark. Dust and loose residue should be kept away from the field lens and mechanical components.
Glass
Clear glass does not absorb blue-diode light reliably. A removable coating may be used to help create a mark. Dark, painted or specially coated glass may respond more directly.
Glass limitations include:
- Possible cracking
- Uneven frosting
- Variation between glass formulations
- Coating residue
- Heat sensitivity
- Difficulty on highly curved products
Engraving does not establish food or dishwasher safety
Finished drinkware should not be described as food-safe or dishwasher-safe without appropriate testing of the exact glass, coating and engraved surface.
Curved and Cylindrical Products
The F1 Ultra supports curved-surface processing and compatible rotary accessories, but product geometry affects accuracy.
Suitable curved products may include
- Tumblers
- Bottles
- Metal cups
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Pens
- Flasks
- Rounded cases
Curved-surface limitations
- Abrupt height changes are difficult
- Sharp corners can interrupt measurement
- Inward-sloping areas may not be reachable
- Highly reflective surfaces can affect optical measurement
- Handles and projections may interfere with movement
- Artwork may require distortion correction
The product should be secured using a suitable jig or rotary attachment. Framing and a low-risk test should be completed before engraving a valuable item.
Surface Marking, Engraving and Embossing
Surface Marking
Creates contrast with limited material removal. It is useful for names, logos, QR codes and identification.
Deep Engraving
Removes more metal through repeated passes. It takes longer and creates more heat and residue.
Embossing-Style Effects
Produces a three-dimensional recessed or relief-style appearance by varying engraving depth across the design.
Choosing the required depth
Customers should specify whether they need:
- A visible decorative mark
- A permanent identification mark
- A tactile recessed engraving
- A mould-like embossed texture
- A mark that survives frequent handling
Deeper engraving is not always better. It increases processing time and may weaken thin products or expose a different base layer.
Colour Marking on Stainless Steel and Metal
Selected metals can display colour-like surface effects when heat and oxidation are controlled carefully. The result depends on wavelength, speed, power, line spacing, frequency-related behaviour, focus and the metal itself.
Important limitations
- Colours vary between stainless-steel grades
- The same setting may produce a different shade on another batch
- Surface polish affects colour
- Fingerprints and oil can disrupt consistency
- Colour may shift under different lighting
- Exact brand-colour matching is not realistic
- A sample does not guarantee identical future production
Do not promise an exact Pantone or screen colour
Laser colour marking is a surface reaction rather than conventional ink printing. The visible shade depends on the metal and viewing conditions.
Material Settings and Test Grids
xTool Studio and xTool Creative Space provide recommended settings and material libraries. These values should be treated as starting points.
Run a test grid when:
- The supplier changes
- The metal alloy is unknown
- The coating or plating is unfamiliar
- A particular depth is required
- A colour effect is requested
- The customer supplies a high-value product
- The product has a curved surface
- The artwork contains very small text
Main setting variables
- Laser source
- Power
- Processing speed
- Number of passes
- Line interval
- Focus or defocus
- Engraving direction
- Processing order
- Artwork fill type
Record material details with the settings
Save the supplier, product code, alloy, finish, colour, thickness and batch together with the machine parameters. A label such as “stainless steel” is not detailed enough for reliable repeat production.
Materials That Require Caution or Should Be Avoided
PVC and Vinyl
These materials can generate chlorine-containing fumes that are harmful and corrosive. Vinyl stickers and PVC-based artificial leather should not be treated as routine laser materials.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate may produce harmful smoke and poor results. Do not confuse it with acrylic.
Unknown Plastics
Polymer type cannot be identified reliably by appearance. Obtain the resin name and supplier documentation.
Unknown Artificial Leather
Synthetic leather may contain PVC, mixed layers, adhesive or unsuitable backing material.
Unknown Paint and Coatings
Pigments, solvents, flame retardants and chemical treatments may release hazardous fumes.
Highly Reflective Surfaces
Highly reflective metal can affect positioning and may redirect laser energy. Use the correct fibre workflow and follow safety instructions.
Unknown Composite Materials
Composite products may contain metal foil, glass fibre, epoxy, PVC, adhesive or other incompatible layers.
Customer Items with Hidden Components
Batteries, electronics, pressurised parts, internal coatings and concealed adhesives can create additional risks.
Do not use smell or burning as a material-identification test
Heating an unknown material can expose the operator and machine to the same fumes that make the material unsuitable. Use supplier documentation or a recognised identification method.
Products Suitable for the xTool F1 Ultra
Metal Products
- Metal business cards
- Nameplates
- Serial-number tags
- Jewellery
- Metal keychains
- Tools and equipment
- Tumblers
- Metal pens
- Asset labels
- QR-code plates
Corporate Gifts
- Personalised flasks
- Engraved pens
- Metal card holders
- Keyrings
- Wooden gift products
- Leather accessories
- Coasters
- Phone accessories
Retail and Event Products
- Live name engraving
- Event souvenirs
- Personalised jewellery
- Branded tags
- On-demand gifts
- Small promotional products
- Variable QR-code items
- Numbered limited editions
Industrial and Identification Products
- Equipment labels
- Part numbers
- Barcodes
- Serial numbers
- Electrical markers
- Control-panel labels
- Tool identification
- Traceability codes
Safety, Ventilation and Workplace Requirements
The F1 Ultra produces fumes, smoke, particles, heat and reflected laser energy. The protective enclosure and automatic features do not remove the need for trained supervision.
Essential safety practices
- Identify the complete material before processing
- Use suitable extraction or filtration
- Keep the protective enclosure as low as practical
- Use the correct laser source
- Do not leave the machine unattended
- Keep the work area clean
- Remove metal and engraving residue regularly
- Use stable jigs and fixtures
- Keep fire-safety equipment nearby
- Allow metal products to cool before handling
- Do not bypass interlocks or safety systems
Public event operation
Event personalisation requires controlled access. Untrained customers and children should not be allowed near the processing area.
The setup should include:
- A controlled operator zone
- Stable electrical supply
- Effective smoke extraction
- Safe product-loading procedures
- Fire-safety equipment
- Secure storage for customer products
- A method for handling hot finished items
Enclosed does not mean unattended
Incorrect settings, flammable residue, material movement or electrical and mechanical faults can still create fire or equipment risk.
Common Material and Production Mistakes
Using the diode laser on every metal
The fibre laser is normally the correct source for direct metal marking. Highly reflective metal may create additional diode risk.
Assuming all stainless steel is identical
Grade, finish, polish and coating affect marking colour, depth and consistency.
Expecting clear acrylic to behave like black acrylic
Clear acrylic transmits blue light and normally requires a coating for surface marking. It is not a suitable substitute for CO₂ processing.
Engraving plated jewellery too deeply
Deep engraving can remove plating and expose a different base metal.
Processing unidentified PU leather
Some synthetic leather contains PVC or unsuitable backing layers.
Promising exact laser colours
Colour marking varies with alloy, polish, settings and lighting. It is not equivalent to CMYK or Pantone printing.
Skipping framing
Camera positioning should be verified using framing before engraving valuable or small items.
Using deep engraving for every product
Deep engraving increases time, heat and residue and may weaken thin items.
Assuming maximum speed applies to every job
Deep engraving, fine photographs and dense fills may require much slower processing or multiple passes.
Handling metal immediately
Engraved metal can remain hot and may cause burns. Allow it to cool before handling.
What Image Magic Recommends
For stainless-steel cards and tags
Use the fibre laser and approve the required surface effect using a sample from the same material batch.
For jewellery
Confirm whether the item is solid, plated or coated. Use a secure jig and approve depth before processing valuable products.
For aluminium products
Identify whether the item is bare, anodised, painted or powder coated. Each surface requires a different parameter range.
For wooden and leather gifts
Use the blue-diode laser with verified laser-safe material. Expect natural variation in colour and texture.
For acrylic products
Use the F1 Ultra for smaller dark or opaque acrylic items. Use a CO₂ machine such as the P2S for clear acrylic, larger sheets and substantial cutting.
For corporate-gift batches
Create a jig or conveyor workflow, confirm orientation and approve one finished sample before processing the full quantity.
For customer-supplied products
Request material and coating information. Where possible, test an inconspicuous area or matching spare before engraving the final item.
Important Material and Performance Note
This guide provides general information. Actual results vary with alloy, polymer, coating, colour, surface finish, material batch, artwork and machine condition.
Manufacturer settings and speed figures are starting references and do not guarantee identical production results on third-party materials.
Do not process PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate or unidentified materials as routine laser materials. Reliable material identification, ventilation and safety controls are required.
Metal colour, depth and contrast may differ between batches. Exact Pantone, screen or sample colour matching should not be promised.
Laser engraving does not automatically establish food-contact safety, dishwasher resistance, medical suitability, fire classification, electrical compliance or structural performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What metals can the xTool F1 Ultra engrave?
It can mark or engrave many stainless steels, aluminium alloys, brass, copper, titanium, gold, silver, platinum and coated metals. Results vary by alloy and surface finish.
2. Can the F1 Ultra engrave stainless steel directly?
Yes. Its 20W fibre laser is designed for direct marking and engraving of suitable stainless-steel products.
3. Can the F1 Ultra engrave aluminium?
Yes. It can process bare, anodised, painted and powder-coated aluminium, although each surface requires different settings.
4. Can the F1 Ultra engrave gold and silver?
It can engrave suitable jewellery metals using the fibre laser. Valuable items should be secured and tested carefully.
5. Can the F1 Ultra engrave wood?
Yes. The blue-diode laser can engrave wood, plywood, bamboo and MDF. Natural variation affects colour and contrast.
6. Can the F1 Ultra cut wood?
It can cut some thinner compatible wood using the diode laser. Larger or thicker sheet cutting is generally better suited to the xTool P2S.
7. Can the F1 Ultra engrave clear acrylic?
Clear acrylic normally requires a temporary coating for diode surface marking. The machine is not the preferred choice for cutting clear acrylic.
8. Can the F1 Ultra engrave black acrylic?
Yes. Black and other dark opaque acrylics normally absorb blue-diode light more effectively than clear acrylic.
9. Can the F1 Ultra engrave leather?
Yes, when the natural or synthetic leather is confirmed laser-safe. Unknown artificial leather may contain PVC and should not be processed.
10. Can the F1 Ultra engrave glass?
Coated or dark glass may be marked using the diode laser. Clear glass normally requires a temporary coating, and cracking remains possible.
11. Can the F1 Ultra engrave plastic?
Selected identified plastics can be marked using the fibre laser. Polymer type, pigments and additives determine safety and contrast.
12. Can the F1 Ultra engrave PVC?
PVC and vinyl may release harmful and corrosive fumes. They should not be treated as routine laser-processing materials.
13. Can the F1 Ultra create colour on stainless steel?
Selected colour-like effects may be possible under controlled settings. Exact shades are not guaranteed and vary by steel grade and surface finish.
14. Can the F1 Ultra do deep metal engraving?
Yes. Deep engraving is possible through repeated passes, but it takes longer and creates more heat and residue than surface marking.
15. Which laser should I use for metal?
The fibre laser is normally preferred for bare metal. The diode may be useful for removing selected paint or coating from a metal surface.
16. Does every material use the same settings?
No. Laser source, power, speed, focus, line interval and passes must be adjusted for the exact material and desired result.
Need Help with xTool F1 Ultra Engraving?
Share the material, product dimensions, surface finish, quantity, artwork, engraving depth and completion date with the Image Magic Printing team. We will assess whether the fibre laser, diode laser or another production method is more suitable.
Request a Laser Engraving Quotation