Glowforge Pro Settings for Glass

Engraving Settings

How to Set Up Glass on the Glowforge Pro

1. 1Secure your glass flat on the work bed using clamps, magnets, or a honeycomb pin set to prevent movement during the job.
2. 2Set your focus distance accurately — use the auto-focus probe if your machine has one, or measure manually with the focus gauge.
3. 3Ensure your water cooling system is running and the coolant temperature is between 15–25°C before starting the laser.
4. 4Enable air assist if available. A steady stream of air at the cut point removes debris, reduces charring, and helps prevent flare-ups.
5. 5Enter the speed, power, and pass count from the settings table above into LightBurn. Use the “Cut” or “Engrave” layer settings panel.
6. 6Run a small test cut or engrave on a scrap piece of glass before committing to your final project piece. Adjust power up or down by 5–10% based on results.

What to Expect When Lasering Glass

Lasering glass creates a frosted, white-etched appearance on the surface. The laser micro-fractures the glass surface rather than vaporizing it, so you are limited to engraving only — cutting glass with a laser is not possible. Results look best on flat, untreated glass. Apply a thin layer of wet newspaper or dish soap to the surface before engraving to improve finish quality and reduce chipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ✗Running at full power on the first attempt — always start with a test piece at the recommended settings and adjust incrementally. Going straight to maximum power risks burning through the material or causing fire.
• ✗Forgetting to check the water cooling system before starting. CO2 laser tubes can overheat and suffer permanent damage if the coolant is not flowing or is above 25°C.
• ✗Attempting to cut glass with the laser — lasers can only engrave glass, not cut it. Trying to cut will crack or shatter the piece.
• ✗Using tempered glass — tempered glass can shatter unpredictably under the thermal stress of laser engraving. Only use regular annealed glass.

Tips for Glass on Laser Machines

• ✓Apply a thin layer of wet newspaper or paper towel to the glass surface before engraving to dissipate heat and reduce chipping.
• ✓Use lower resolution (250-300 DPI) to avoid overlapping passes that overheat the glass.
• ✓A light mist of water on the surface helps produce a cleaner frosted finish.
• ✓Engrave at an angle if possible -- some users tilt the glass 1-2 degrees to reduce back-reflection.
• ✓Flat glass gives the most consistent results. Curved surfaces (mugs, bottles) require a rotary attachment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Materials for Glowforge Pro

Glass Settings for Other Machines