Wood Laser Engraving and Cutting Settings for TOOCAA NOVA and L2

Wood is one of the most popular materials for laser engraving and cutting because it is easy to process, versatile, and suitable for a wide range of creative and commercial projects. Whether you're making personalized gifts, home décor, signs, ornaments, or small business products, choosing the correct wood laser engraving and cutting settings is essential for achieving clean engravings and precise cuts.

Different wood species vary in density, grain, moisture content, and color, which means they respond differently to laser power and speed. Using the wrong settings may result in burn marks, incomplete cuts, excessive charring, or poor engraving quality. For this reason, it's always recommended to perform a small material test before starting a full project, especially when using a new type of wood.

In this guide, you'll learn the recommended wood laser engraving and cutting settings for the TOOCAA L2 (10W, 20W, and 40W diode modules) and the TOOCAA NOVA (10W and 20W diode modules), including practical material settings tables, step-by-step machine setup instructions, workflow guidance, and project ideas for different wood types. By following these recommendations, you can improve engraving quality, reduce material waste, and achieve more consistent results for both hobby and professional applications.

Whether you're comparing TOOCAA L2 wood settings against TOOCAA NOVA wood settings or simply looking for reliable laser engraving wood and laser cutting wood settings you can trust, this guide walks you through both machines step by step.

Choose Your Wood Type

Selecting the right type of wood is one of the most important steps in achieving consistent laser engraving and cutting results. Every wood species has unique characteristics such as density, grain pattern, moisture content, resin content, and natural color that directly affect how it responds to laser energy. Because of these differences, the same power and speed settings may produce different engraving depths or cutting performance on different materials.

In general, softer and lighter woods, such as basswood and birch plywood, engrave cleanly with lower power and cut more easily, making them ideal for beginners and everyday projects. Denser hardwoods, including walnut, red oak, and red rosewood, require more laser energy, which usually means higher power, slower speeds, or additional passes to achieve clean engraving and complete cuts.

Other material characteristics can also influence the final result. Woods with high resin or natural oil content may produce more smoke and darker engraving marks, while plywood containing glue layers often requires extra passes to cut through consistently. Grain direction, surface coatings, and moisture content can also affect engraving contrast, edge quality, and cutting efficiency. For the best results, use dry, clean, and unfinished wood whenever possible.

The recommended settings in this guide are intended as a practical starting point for the TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA. Since wood properties may vary between manufacturers and production batches, always perform a small material test before beginning your final project. Fine-tuning the laser power, speed, and number of passes will help you achieve optimal engraving quality while minimizing burn marks and material waste.

TOOCAA L2 Wood Engraving and Cutting Settings (10W / 20W / 40W)

The TOOCAA L2 can be fitted with a 10W, 20W, or 40W diode laser module. The tables below list the official wood-related engraving and cutting settings for each module, based on TOOCAA's published material settings. Use these values as your starting point, then fine-tune based on your specific batch of wood and your desired finish.

Cut mode vs. Line mode: in TOOCAA Studio, cut mode is the mode that actually cuts all the way through the material. Line mode only traces the vector outline as a surface score or scribe line and will not cut through the material, even at high power. Fill mode is used for surface engraving (filling in shapes with raster lines). The "Cutting" columns below correspond to Cut mode; the "Engraving" columns correspond to Fill mode.

TOOCAA L2 10W Wood Settings

Note: “-” means TOOCAA has not published a 10W setting for that wood type—the 10W module isn't recommended for it (typically because the wood is too dense or too thick to engrave or cut cleanly at 10W). Choose the 20W or 40W module instead for those woods.

TOOCAA L2 20W Wood Settings

Note: “-” means TOOCAA has not published a 20W setting for that wood type; use the 10W or 40W module instead for those woods. These settings assume a properly focused laser, clean lens, and (for cutting) an active air assist. Always run a small test patch on scrap material before processing your final piece.

TOOCAA L2 40W Wood Settings

Note: The 40W module typically needs lower engraving power than the 10W/20W modules to achieve the same surface effect, since its beam delivers more energy at the same power percentage. Always run a small test patch on scrap material before processing your final piece.

How to Set Up and Use TOOCAA L2 for Wood Engraving and Cutting

TOOCAA Studio is the software used to design, position, and control engraving and cutting jobs on the TOOCAA L2. Follow the steps below to go from opening the software to finishing your wood project.

Step 1: Open TOOCAA Studio.

When you first open TOOCAA Studio, you'll see an empty workspace with a dashed-line rectangle. This rectangle represents the working area (bed size) of your machine. 

Step 2: Select Your Device and Connect

Next, select your device from the top-right corner of TOOCAA Studio and choose TOOCAA L2 from the list. Once your device is selected, connect the TOOCAA L2 to your laptop or PC using a USB cable. 

Step 3: Select Your Material

After connecting, choose your material. Open the Material panel from the right sidebar, select Wood, then choose the specific wood type and thickness you're working with—for example, 2.8 mm Basswood. 

Step 4: Import or Create Your Design

Import your own design file, or create a shape directly in TOOCAA Studio — for example, using the Rectangle tool. 

Step 5: Adjust the Size

Fine-tune your design's dimensions using the Size (mm) fields in the top-left corner of TOOCAA Studio.

 

Step 6: Assign Colors to Set Up Layers

Assign a color to each part of your design that should be processed differently. Each color becomes its own layer, so you can apply separate settings to engraving areas versus cutting lines.

Step 7: Set the Layer Mode

In the Layers panel, set the processing mode for each layer. For example, select Line mode for a layer you want the laser to cut through, rather than engrave.

Step 8: Set Power, Speed, Passes, and Interval

For each layer, enter the Mode, Speed, Power, Passes, and Interval values. Use the wood settings table above as your reference — for example, 2.8 mm Basswood — and adjust from there based on your test results. TOOCAA Studio's built-in material guide can also be used as a starting reference.

Note: Use the guide built into TOOCAA Studio, together with the settings table above, as your starting reference for parameters.

Step 9: Focus the Laser

Before running the job, lower the L2's focus lever until it touches the surface of your material, then lock it in place. Accurate focus has a major impact on both engraving sharpness and cutting quality.

Step 10: Run a Small Test First

Engrave or cut a few small test shapes at your chosen settings on a scrap piece of the same wood. Check the result before committing to your full design — it's much faster than redoing an entire project.

Step 11: Start the Engraving or Cutting Job

Once you're happy with the test result, close the enclosure door and click Start in TOOCAA Studio to run the full job. For cutting, make sure air assist is switched on.

Step 12: Finish and Remove Your Piece

After the job completes, let the exhaust fan clear the smoke for a few seconds before opening the door and removing your finished piece.

TOOCAA NOVA Wood Engraving and Cutting Settings (10W / 20W)

The TOOCAA NOVA can be fitted with a 10W or 20W diode laser module. The TOOCAA NOVA and TOOCAA L2 both use the same diode laser type, so at a matching module power, the two machines share the same recommended parameters—the tables below list the same TOOCAA 10W and 20W wood values used for the L2 above, applied directly to the NOVA.

Note: Laser optics, focus height, and beam characteristics can still vary slightly between machines, so always run a small test cut on scrap wood before committing to a full project.

TOOCAA NOVA 10W Wood Settings

Note: “-” means a 10W setting is not published for that wood type; use the 20W module instead for those woods.

TOOCAA NOVA 20W Wood Settings

Note: “-” means a 20W setting is not published for that wood type; These settings assume a properly focused laser, clean lens, and (for cutting) an active air assist. Always run a small test patch on scrap material before processing your final piece.

How to Set Up and Use TOOCAA NOVA for Wood Engraving and Cutting

The TOOCAA NOVA workflow in TOOCAA Studio follows the same overall pattern as the L2, with a few differences in device setup. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Open TOOCAA Studio.

As with the L2, start by opening TOOCAA Studio, which shows an empty workspace with your machine's working area outlined.

Step 2: Select TOOCAA NOVA as Your Device and Connect

From the top-right corner of TOOCAA Studio, select your device and choose TOOCAA NOVA from the list. Connect the TOOCAA NOVA to your laptop or PC, the same way you would connect the L2 

Step 3: Select Your Material

Select your material the same way described in the TOOCAA L2 steps above—open the Material panel, choose Wood, then pick your specific wood type and thickness.

Step 4: Import or Create Your Design

Import your design file, or create a shape directly in TOOCAA Studio.

Step 5: Adjust the Size

Adjust your design's dimensions using the Size (mm) fields in the top-left corner.

Step 6: Assign Colors to Set Up Layers

Assign a color to each part of your design that needs different treatment — each color becomes a separate layer for engraving or cutting.

Step 7: Set Power, Speed, Passes, and Interval

For each layer, set the Mode, Speed, Power, Passes, and Interval, using the wood settings table above as your starting reference.

Step 8: Focus and Preview Your Material

Use the NOVA's auto-focus, or the manual/advanced focus option for softer or uneven wood, and confirm your material placement using the live camera preview before running the job.

Step 9: Run a Small Test First

As with the L2, run a small test engrave or cut on scrap material first, and adjust your settings if the result is too light, too dark, or doesn't fully cut through.

Step 10: Start the Engraving or Cutting Job

Once your test looks right, close the lid and start the job from TOOCAA Studio. For cutting, confirm that the smart air assist is active.

Step 11: Finish and Remove Your Piece

Wait for the built-in air filtration to clear smoke before opening the lid and removing your finished piece.

What Can You Make with Different Types of Wood?

Each wood type has its own look, density, and behavior under the laser, which makes certain woods better suited to certain projects. Here's a quick guide to help you match the right wood to your next idea.

Basswood

Basswood is soft, light-colored, and engraves cleanly at low power, which makes it one of the most beginner-friendly woods. It's a great choice for detailed engravings such as photo portraits, name plaques, and intricate ornaments.

Red Beech

Red Beech has a warm reddish tone and a fairly even, medium density. It works well for coasters, small decorative boxes, and engraved kitchenware where a bit of color contrast helps the design stand out.

White Oak

White Oak is durable with a pronounced, attractive grain. It's well suited to cutting boards, signage, and engraved boxes that need to hold up to regular handling.

Red Cherry Wood

Red Cherry Wood has a fine, tight grain and a rich natural color, and it tends to cut cleanly at a faster speed. It's a popular choice for jewelry boxes, pen cases, and other premium gift items.

Red Oak

Red Oak is strong with a coarser, more visible grain, and generally needs a slower cutting speed than softer woods. It works nicely for wall art, thicker signage, and sturdy ornaments.

Rosewood

Rosewood is dense and resin-rich with a dramatic, dark grain pattern, so it needs a slower cutting speed and produces more visible smoke marks around the cut edge. It's often used for high-end plaques, luxury gift boxes, and decorative inlays.

Birch

Birch (including birch plywood) has a pale, smooth surface and generally needs higher engraving power but cuts quickly. It's a common choice for puzzles, layered artwork, and model-style projects.

Rubber Wood

Rubber Wood is an affordable, fairly consistent material, which makes it a practical choice for cutting boards, coasters, and test or prototype pieces before committing to a more expensive wood.

Walnut Wood

Walnut Wood is dark, dense, and has a premium look, so it typically needs higher engraving power. It's a favorite for high-end signage, corporate awards, and statement wall art.

Maple

Maple is light-colored with a fine, smooth grain, which makes it excellent for precision detail work such as engraved cutting boards and personalized gifts.

Pinus Sylvestris (Pine)

Pinus Sylvestris, commonly known as Scots Pine, is a light, resinous softwood with a visible grain and knots. It engraves and cuts well at lower module power, making it a budget-friendly option for signage, rustic décor, and everyday craft projects.

Wood Engraving and Cutting Project Examples

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few popular project ideas you can make using the settings and wood types covered in this guide.

Laser-Engraved Wood Signs

Wood signs are one of the most popular laser projects for both personal use and small businesses. Use a denser wood like White Oak or Walnut Wood for durability, apply the engraving settings from the table above, and consider a light sanding and finishing oil afterward to make the engraved text stand out.

Laser-Cut Wood Ornaments

Thin, lightweight woods such as Basswood or Birch cut quickly and are easy to hang, which makes them ideal for holiday ornaments and decorative tags. Run a quick test cut first to confirm the design's small details will cut cleanly at your chosen thickness.

Personalized Wood Coasters

Rubber Wood and Maple both engrave and cut consistently, making them good budget-friendly options for a batch of matching coasters. Adding a cutting pass around the outline after engraving the design gives clean, uniform edges.

Engraved Photo Plaques

For fine detail and good contrast, Basswood and Maple tend to reproduce photo-style engravings clearly. Keep the engraving power close to the recommended setting and avoid increasing it too far, since overly dark engraving can lose fine detail in photo-based designs.

Layered Wood Wall Art

Layered art combines multiple cut pieces from different wood types, such as Red Cherry Wood and Walnut Wood, stacked for contrast. Since each wood type cuts differently, test each material separately before cutting the full set of layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best wood for laser engraving beginners?

Softer, consistent woods like Basswood and Birch plywood are a good starting point because they engrave cleanly at moderate power and are forgiving of small setting errors.

Can I use the same settings on TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA?

The TOOCAA L2 wood settings shown above are a reasonable starting point for TOOCAA NOVA wood settings too, since both can use a 20W module, but because focus systems and optics can differ between machines, always run a test cut before using them on a final project.

Why do I need to test a material before starting a full project?

Wood varies by species, moisture content, thickness, and even batch, so a setting that works on one piece of wood may produce a different result on another. A quick test avoids wasting material and time on a failed full-size job.

What's the difference between engraving and cutting settings?

Engraving uses lower power and higher speed to mark the surface without cutting through, while cutting uses higher power, slower speed, and sometimes multiple passes to cut completely through the material.

How do I know how many passes I need to cut through wood?

Start with one pass at the recommended cutting power and speed for your wood's thickness, then check if the laser cut all the way through. If not, run an additional pass at the same settings without moving the material.

Does wood thickness affect the settings I should use?

Yes. Thicker wood generally needs a slower cutting speed, higher power, or more passes to cut through completely, while very thin wood may need a faster speed to avoid excess burning.

Do I need to assign different colors for engraving and cutting in TOOCAA Studio?

Yes. Assigning a different color to each part of your design creates separate layers, so you can apply different modes and settings — for example, engraving one layer and cutting another — within the same project.

Conclusion

Getting clean, consistent results when engraving or cutting wood comes down to understanding your material and starting from settings that are close to correct, then fine-tuning from there. The wood laser engraving and cutting settings in this guide give you a solid, tested starting point across the 10W, 20W, and 40W diode modules for the TOOCAA L2, and matching 10W/20W tables for the TOOCAA NOVA, since both machines share the same diode laser type at equivalent power. Keep the TOOCAA L2 wood settings and TOOCAA NOVA wood settings tables handy as your quick reference any time you need reliable laser engraving wood and laser cutting wood settings for a new project.

Whichever machine you're using, the same core habits apply: set up your device correctly in TOOCAA Studio, focus carefully, use Cut mode (not Line mode) when you need to cut all the way through, use air assist for cutting, and always run a small test before committing to your final piece. With those habits in place, both the TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA are capable of producing clean, professional-looking wood engravings and cuts for gifts, décor, signage, and small business products.