# Run a laser material test in xTool Studio or LightBurn > Build a speed and power test grid, compare engraving and cutting results, and record settings for your actual laser and material. A test grid burns the same small square at many speed and power combinations, so you can pick the best one by eye instead of guessing. Run one for every new material and every operation: the best engraving square tells you nothing about cutting, and settings from someone else's grid are only a starting point on your laser. ## What you need - Your laser, connected and focused, and an offcut of the exact sheet you will use for the project. - Starting settings from the laser or material maker, if they give any, and enough room on the offcut for the whole grid. ## 1. Identify the material and prepare the machine Use material identified by its supplier as suitable for your laser, including its coating and adhesive. Do not laser PVC or unidentified craft vinyl: heating PVC releases toxic, corrosive gases. Run the exhaust system and use air assist as your machine instructions specify; air assist does not replace fume extraction. Stay with the machine and follow its enclosure, eye-protection and fire-safety instructions. ## 2. Generate a small, labelled test In **xTool Studio**, choose the operation you want to test, then open **Applications → Material Test Array**. In **LightBurn**, open **Laser Tools → Material Test**. Set a range around the suggested settings and check whether speed is in mm/s or mm/min. Keep every other setting the same, so the grid only compares speed and power. ## 3. Inspect the grid for the intended result For engraving, compare contrast, fine detail and surface damage. For cutting, check whether the shape releases cleanly and inspect the reverse face and edges. Keep engraving and cutting results separate. If the useful range lies between two cells, run a smaller follow-up grid rather than guessing from a distant setting. ![Wood engraving test grid labelled with speed and power, with a clear acrylic cutting grid on top, on a honeycomb bed](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/test-grids-on-honeycomb-maker.webp) Two tests from one session: an engraving grid on wood and a cutting grid on clear acrylic. Each sheet carries its own axis labels and settings. ## 4. Save a material record and confirm on the design Record machine and laser module, software version, supplier/product, measured thickness, operation, speed units, power, passes, focus and any engraving interval or bitmap mode. Photograph the labelled sample. Run a small section of the actual design before committing a finished sheet, especially fine text, holes and narrow bridges. ## Read the axes on this S1 test example ![xTool S1 engraving grid with speed rows and power columns](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/xtool-s1-material-test-grid.webp) Speed in mm/s runs up the side and power in percent along the bottom. This part of the grid covers 200 to 300 mm/s and 40 to 60%. Pick the square you like, then read its row and column for the speed and power. Use them with the same focus, passes and interval the grid used, or the result changes. ## Engraving and cutting need separate comparisons ![xTool S1 20W sample with separate engraving and cutting test areas](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/xtool-s1-engrave-cut-test-grid.webp) One sheet with separate Engrave and Cut grids. Cutting runs far slower than engraving, so the two speed scales look nothing alike. ![Plywood engraving and cutting test cards fanned out beside a clear acrylic test grid](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/wood-acrylic-test-grids-maker.webp) A set of test cards for one plywood stock. Some compare engraving darkness, others show which squares cut through at each speed and power. The acrylic grid in front needs its own set. ## Material examples: leatherette and a diode setup ![Finished contrasting engraved keychain beside a round engraved code tag](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/engraved-leatherette-keychain-maker.webp) Engraved leatherette with strong contrast. Small lettering is where a test pays off, so include some text in your grid. ![Diode laser module and material sheet in a maker workspace](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/diode-laser-material-setup-maker.webp) A diode laser over a sheet of material. Focus before every test, because a grid run out of focus gives you the wrong settings. ![Cat-shaped samples of wood-grain engraving laminate with engraved text](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/two-tone-laminate-engraving-maker.webp) Wood-grain engraving laminate. The laser removes the thin top layer and the core colour shows through, so test how deep one pass goes before engraving fine text. ![Fan of leatherette swatches in many colours, including holographic and metallic finishes](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/leatherette-swatches-maker.webp) Leatherette comes in many colours and finishes, and each one engraves differently. Run a small grid on every new colour before cutting a batch of patches or tags. ![Diode laser module above a sheet of dark material](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/diode-laser-module-maker.webp) A diode laser module over the work area. Diode results look rougher than the CO2 samples on this page, so compare your tests with other diode tests. ![Diode laser test grids on red and black sheets, labelled with speed in mm/min, power in percent and one pass](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/diode-test-grids-maker.webp) Diode test grids on red and black sheets. Speed is in mm/min here, not mm/s, and every cell ran one pass. Check which unit your software uses before copying a value. ![Fan of marble, glitter, terrazzo, white, black and blue sheets on a laser bed](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/laser-sheet-variety-maker.webp) Marble, glitter, terrazzo and solid sheets each need their own test, even from the same supplier. ![Pink, black and pale yellow acrylic squares cut on a diode laser, with clean edges](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/diode-cut-acrylic-good-maker.webp) Pink, black and pale yellow acrylic cut cleanly on this diode laser. ![Red and blue acrylic squares cut on the same diode laser, with a rough red edge and a scorched blue edge](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/diode-cut-acrylic-poor-maker.webp) Red and blue acrylic on the same diode laser: the red edge is rough and the blue edge is scorched. Diode light passes through blue and clear acrylic, so test each new colour before cutting a whole sheet. ## Keep safety gear next to the laser ![Fire extinguisher and protective glasses beside a laser workspace](https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/software/laser-workspace-equipment-maker.webp) Keep a fire extinguisher within reach of the laser. Check that your glasses are rated for your laser's wavelength; it is printed on the frame or the box. ## Troubleshooting - **Unexpectedly severe burn or weak mark:** confirm speed units, the selected laser/module and whether the job is Score, Engrave or Cut. - **One material batch behaves differently:** check thickness, coating, supplier and focus, then retest. - **Grid looks good but the design loses detail:** test the actual small features, not only a large filled square. ## Manufacturer documentation - [xTool Studio Material Test Array](https://support.xtool.com/article/2537) - [LightBurn Material Test](https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/2.2/Reference/MaterialTest/) - [xTool laser safety guidance](https://support.xtool.com/article/262) - [Understanding laser safety goggles](https://support.xtool.com/article/631) ## Make it yours Use the chosen settings with the [xTool operation guide](/learn/guides/xtool-studio-workflow), [photo engraving workflow](/learn/guides/photo-engraving-workflow) or [layered laser workflow](/learn/guides/layered-laser-workflow). --- Open Design Editor: https://www.mylasertools.com/design-editor Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/guides/laser-material-test-workflow