Laser Cutters
Laser cutters are becoming an increasingly popular tool for stationery designers, wedding creatives, and letterpress printers looking to expand their services. Whether you're engraving acrylic signage, cutting velvet paper, or personalizing products at a market, lasers are a surprisingly versatile (and addicting!) addition to your creative business.
Between the three of us at Hot Off the Press, we’ve tried a handful of different lasers—each with their own pros, cons, quirks, and sweet spots. If you’re laser-curious and wondering what’s worth your investment, we’ve got you covered.
In this quick guide, we’re breaking down three different lasers we’ve personally used: the Glowforge Pro, the Gweike Cloud, and the compact Rendyr Optic. We’ll explain what each machine does best, what you need to watch out for, and which one might fit your needs best.
1. Glowforge Pro
Best for: Acrylic cutting, wood signage, occasional engraving
Retail Price: ~$6,995
Overview:
The Glowforge Pro is one of the most recognizable names in desktop lasers, and for good reason—it’s powerful, intuitive, and ideal for creatives who want to hit the ground running.
Specs:
45-watt CO₂ laser
Up to ¼” wood and acryli
19.5” x 11” cutting bed
Pass-through slot for oversized projects
Web-based design software (requires internet connection)
What Cara Jo Loves:
The software is super beginner-friendly—similar to Cricut’s interface.
You can move your design around the bed visually, which makes cutting precise and easy.
Cuts cleanly through tons of materials: plywood, clear and glitter acrylic, leather, even an iPad (yes, really).
The pass-through slot lets you cut long signage in one go (up to 40" and beyond).
It’s reliable. “I’ve had mine since 2022 and use it weekly—more during wedding season.”
What to Know:
The fan is loud, but an external fan can help reduce noise dramatically.
It’s sensitive to temperature. On hot days, it may pause to cool itself down.
Requires Wi-Fi to operate. If you don’t have internet in your studio, it won’t run.
Some laser communities look down on Glowforge for being overpriced and closed-system.
Verdict:
The Glowforge Pro is a great starter machine if you want something that “just works.” It’s polished and professional, though the price tag is high compared to similar CO₂ lasers with open software systems.
2. Gweike Cloud
Best for: Power users who want control over settings and open-source flexibility
Retail Price: ~$3,500 (often on sale around Black Friday)
Overview:
The Gweike Cloud is a strong competitor to Glowforge, offering more wattage, more flexibility, and access to LightBurn (a powerful laser software). It’s ideal for people who want deeper customization and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve.
Specs:
50-watt CO₂ laser
20” x 11.8” cutting bed
Pass-through slot for long cuts
Uses LightBurn or browser-based software
Rotary attachment available for mugs and tumblers
Built-in water cooling system
What Jillian Loves:
“It’s half the price of a Glowforge and just as capable.”
The pass-through slot lets you work around the slightly smaller bed size.
Comes with sample materials to test and learn with.
LightBurn makes engraving and multi-layer cutting easier to control.
It can engrave everything from velvet paper to acrylic to leather.
What to Know:
You’ll need to refill the coolant tank (distilled water works fine).
It’s a heavier, bulkier machine that arrives in a wood crate—so set up help may be necessary.
It’s a little smellier than other models (especially when cutting acrylic or extruded plastic).
Not ideal for small studios or apartment settings unless well-ventilated.
Verdict:
If you’re comfortable with tech and want more bang for your buck, the Gweike Cloud is a powerhouse. It’s great for large projects and technical users who want more customization.
3. Rendyr Optic
Best for: Paper cutters, hobbyists, mobile vendors
Update since we recorded this episode: Unfortunately Rendyr has been discontinued! The company is for sale and may be purchased & continued by another manufacturer, TBD!
Overview:
The Rendyr Optic is a compact, portable diode laser designed to be used anywhere—even on your kitchen table. It folds up into a tiny box, has built-in filtration, and uses LightBurn software.
Specs:
12-watt diode laser (blue light)
Modular, portable design
Built-in air filter
Infinite workspace using passthrough technique
Uses LightBurn
What Moriah Loves:
“It’s super compact. You can keep it in a cabinet and pull it out only when you need it.”
Perfect for paper projects and light engraving.
It’s quiet, doesn’t require permanent ventilation, and sets up in minutes.
Great for testing whether a laser fits into your workflow.
Customer service is fantastic, and the company is still actively adding new features (like a riser for mugs).
What to Know:
It doesn’t have a built-in camera—so alignment is manual, like a Cricut or Silhouette.
It’s not powerful enough for thick materials like ¼” plywood or acrylic.
Engraving and cutting take longer than on CO₂ machines.
Best suited for low-volume, occasional use—not production runs.
Verdict:
This is the perfect “starter” laser for paper-based businesses or creatives who want to try before they invest big. If you're a wedding stationer or want to personalize goods at events, the Rendyr is a dream.
Laser Shopping Tips
Before you buy any laser, ask yourself:
What materials will I be cutting?
How often will I use it?
Do I need portability?
What is my budget for ventilation/safety equipment?
Do I want to use LightBurn or a proprietary system?
Also: Always buy laser-safe materials. Cheap or unknown woods can cause fires. Some leathers release toxic gas. Only use trusted suppliers like Denver Acrylics, Houston Acrylics, or Custom Made Better.
And most importantly: get a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket. Lasers can ignite materials unexpectedly. Safety first, always.
Here’s our take:
Still unsure? Reach out! We’re happy to help you find the right machine for your workflow.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a laser through one of our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the pod!
