Raising Acrylic Off Your Laser Bed: Why It Matters

If you're working with a larger laser like a Thunder or Aeon, you've probably heard the advice to “raise your acrylic off the bed” when cutting. But why is this such a common tip? It all comes down to one frustrating issue: flashback.

What’s Flashback?
Flashback happens when the laser beam cuts through your acrylic and hits the honeycomb bed underneath. That bounce-back of energy can leave scorch marks or unwanted blemishes on the underside of your acrylic; especially noticeable on clear or light-colored pieces. No one wants that.

How to Prevent It
The easiest way to avoid flashback is by slightly lifting your acrylic off the honeycomb bed. You don’t need anything fancy... just a few small, strategically placed risers (like acrylic scraps, metal pins, or silicone bumpers) can do the trick. The goal is to raise the material just enough so the beam doesn’t hit the honeycomb directly beneath the cut.

In this video, I walk through how I raise my acrylic off the bed and share a few simple tips to make it quick, easy, and effective—no special tools required.

Have questions or a favorite method of your own? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to hear what works for you!