The number one reason laser-cut acrylic parts come back wrong — or cost more than expected — is an incomplete specification. Not because buyers are careless, but because most buyers don’t know what information matters to a fabricator.
This guide covers exactly what you need to communicate to get accurate quotes, clean parts, and no surprises.
The Six Things Every Spec Needs
1. Material and Thickness
Specify both the material (acrylic, polycarbonate, PETG, etc.) and the nominal thickness in inches or millimeters. If you have a preference between cast and extruded acrylic, call it out. If color or opacity matters, specify it — “clear,” “white translucent,” “black opaque,” “mirror,” and so on.
Example: 3/16″ cast acrylic, clear, cell cast preferred
2. Quantity
State how many pieces you need. If this is a repeat order, note the frequency so the fabricator can advise on stocking or pricing breaks. We have no minimums — one piece is fine, and so is ten thousand.
3. Dimensional Tolerances
If you don’t specify tolerances, a good fabricator will apply their standard defaults. Ours are ±0.010″ on laser-cut dimensions for most acrylic work and ±0.005″ is possible for certain parts . But if you have a specific fit requirement — like a part that needs to slide into a 0.250″ groove — say so explicitly. Don’t make the fabricator guess.
If your tolerances are unusually tight (±0.002″ or tighter), flag it upfront. It may affect pricing or require a test cut.
4. Edge Finish
Laser cutting produces a specific edge finish that varies by material and settings. For most applications, a standard laser-cut edge is fine — it’s smooth and clean. Your main options:
- Standard laser edge — smooth, slight frost/haze, appropriate for most functional parts
- Flame polished — the edge is passed through a flame to produce a clear, glass-like appearance (additional cost)
- Machine polished — mechanical polishing for critical optical applications (additional cost)
- No finish specification — the fabricator uses their standard process
5. File Format and Drawing
Provide a 2D cut file in DXF, SVG, PDF (vector), AI, or EPS format. The file should be a 1:1 scale representation of the finished part — no title blocks, no dimensions on the cut layer, no border geometry. If you’re submitting a PDF, make sure it’s a vector PDF, not a rasterized scan.
If you have multiple parts on one sheet, send them as separate files with clear naming. It reduces errors and makes revisions easier.
6. Special Requirements
Note anything that falls outside a standard laser-cut part: engravings or etching, protective film removal, specific packaging requirements, certifications needed, or delivery deadlines. The more context you provide upfront, the more accurate the quote and the fewer back-and-forth questions.
What You Don’t Need to Specify
You don’t need to specify laser power settings, cutting speed, or machine type — that’s the fabricator’s expertise. You also don’t need to add kerf compensation to your file; a good shop will handle that internally. Just send the finished part geometry at 1:1 scale.
A Simple Checklist
- ☐ Material type and grade (cast vs. extruded if known)
- ☐ Nominal thickness
- ☐ Color / opacity / finish
- ☐ Quantity
- ☐ Dimensional tolerances (or note “standard” is acceptable)
- ☐ Edge finish requirement
- ☐ 2D cut file at 1:1 scale (DXF, SVG, or vector PDF)
- ☐ Delivery date or lead time requirement
- ☐ Any special requirements
Ready to get a quote? Submit your file here and our team will respond typically within one business day.