Where I Buy My Acrylic (and the Laser Tools I Use)
You have the laser but where do you buy acrylic for laser projects? Lets talk about it!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
The question I get asked most is “where do you get your acrylic?” So here it all is in one place: the three shops I buy acrylic from, what I get at each one, and the laser setup I use to turn those sheets into name keychains, bag tags, ornaments and signs.
This post is all about where to find acrylic for laser projects.
The short answer
I buy acrylic from three places: xTool, Cohn Acrylics and Custom Made Better. Each one covers something different, so I don’t stick to just one.
| Supplier | What I buy there | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| xTool | Everyday solid and mirror colors | Beginners and xTool owners who want settings that already work |
| Cohn Acrylics | Glitter, two-tone and plain solid colors | Glitter and everyday colors from a second trusted source |
| Custom Made Better | Glitter, glow-in-the-dark, patterned and specialty sheets | Products that need to stand out |
Where I buy acrylic
xTool
xTool sells a wide range of 1/8″ acrylic, including solid colors, mirror colors, two-tone sheets and glow-in-the-dark. Because I run xTool machines, the biggest perk is that their materials come with tested settings in the xTool material library. That means fewer test cuts and less wasted material when I try a new color.
They also sell inexpensive sample sets, which are perfect if you’re new to acrylic or want to test a color before buying a full pack.
Cohn Acrylics
Cohn Acrylics was the second acrylic shop I discovered, and I still order from them. I go to Cohn for glitter acrylic, two-tone acrylic and plain solid colors, the everyday sheets I use for name keychains, bag tags and signs.
They don’t have an affiliate program, so I don’t earn anything when you shop there. They’re on this list because I actually buy from them.
Custom Made Better
This is where I go for the fun stuff. Custom Made Better has a huge selection of specialty acrylic: glitter, glow-in-the-dark, matte, frosted and printed pattern sheets, plus the standard colors. They also offer custom cut sizes and wholesale orders, which helps once you’re making products in bigger batches.
If you want a product that doesn’t look like everyone else’s, start here.
Shop Custom Made Better acrylic here
My laser setup
All of my acrylic work runs through my xTool P3, along with a few add-ons:
- xTool P3: my main machine for cutting and engraving acrylic, wood and more.
- Automatic conveyor feeder: lets me run longer pieces and batch jobs without babysitting every sheet.
- Rotary attachment: for engraving round items like tumblers.
- Smoke purifier (SafetyPro AP2): a must if you laser acrylic indoors. Cutting acrylic creates fumes, so ventilation isn’t optional.
Software I use: xTool Creative Space and LightBurn for running the laser, and Canva and Adobe Illustrator for designing.
Tips before you buy acrylic
- Know your laser type. A CO2 laser like the xTool P-series cuts clear and colored acrylic. Diode lasers usually can’t cut clear acrylic, and some colors give them trouble, so check before you order.
- Cast vs. extruded. Cast acrylic engraves a crisp frosty white and usually cuts cleaner. Extruded is often cheaper. Mirror acrylic is generally extruded, so expect it to behave a little differently.
- Buy a sample before a full pack. This matters most with new colors or a new supplier. The same thickness from two shops can need different settings.
- Always run a test cut. Even with saved settings, do a small test on every new sheet before you cut a full design.
- Only laser materials you know are acrylic. Never cut PVC, vinyl or polycarbonate. They give off toxic fumes and can damage your machine. If you aren’t sure what a sheet is made of, don’t put it in your laser.
Questions?
If you have a question about any of these shops or my setup, leave it in the comments. I’m happy to help!
