This page describes a laser engraving setting published for PET-G at 1 mm, tested on a OMTech Polar 35W Desktop CO2 Laser Engraver fitted with a CO2 35W source (10,600 nm CO2, 35 W). It states the exact machine, source, material, thickness and operation of the test; power, speed and number of passes are shown with a Premium pass.
Why those four facts matter: a engraving setting that works on PET-G at 1 mm does not transfer to another thickness, nor to another source. A 10,600 nm CO2 rated 35 W does not deposit the same energy as a stronger module, and the speed has to be adjusted accordingly. Copying a number without checking those four points is the first cause of a ruined part.
Published by LaserSettings (estimation). No other workshop has confirmed it yet: treat it as a starting point, and confirm it from your account if you reproduce it.
No photo comes with this setting yet. If you reproduce it, publish yours from your account: a picture of the result is worth more than a line of numbers.
Recommended routine before running the part: clean the lens, redo the focus, engrave a small test grid on an offcut of the same PET-G, then adjust the speed rather than the power. Work with fume extraction and air assist, wear glasses rated for 10,600 nm CO2, and never leave the machine unattended.
OMTech offers a broad range of enclosed CO2 machines, fibre markers and galvo models, with many options (honeycomb bed, rotary, chiller). On CO2 units, mirror alignment quality on delivery varies: a setting that gives nothing often starts as an alignment problem, not a power one.
PET-G is the transparent plastic of guards, covers and displays. It cuts cleanly with a CO2 but not with a diode, and unlike acrylic it does not shatter: it bends. Its edge stays slightly milky, never polished like PMMA.
CO2 only: a blue diode passes through clear PET-G without touching it. With a 40 W CO2, expect around 60% at 400 mm/min on 3 mm, in one pass.
PET-G melts rather than vaporises: too low a speed creates a bead along the line. Prefer a higher speed with slightly more power, and strong air assist.
For engraving, stay light (20% at 3,000 mm/min): PET-G whitens at the surface, giving a very clean frosted look, but too strong an engraving distorts it.
Common thicknesses: 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mm. Beyond that, the melt bead becomes hard to control on a workshop CO2.
Pitfall: confusion with PVC. An unidentified clear sheet may be PET-G, acrylic or PVC — and PVC is strictly forbidden on a laser. When in doubt, cut nothing: a flame test on an offcut, outdoors, settles it (PVC gives off a sharp acid smell).
Keep the protective film on during cutting: it prevents smoke marks on the surface.