Where to buy materials

Where to Buy Laser Cutting Materials

The laser cutter in the lab is a Trotec Speedy 400 with an 80 W CO₂ laser source. Materials must be suitable and safe for use with a CO₂ laser cutter.

Please note: The suppliers and shops listed below are provided as examples only for convenience. CCI / UAL is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially recommending any particular supplier. Prices, stock, material quality and delivery times can vary, so please compare prices and check availability before purchasing.

In-store options

If you need materials urgently, you may be able to find suitable materials from:

• UAL Art Shop
  Some UAL Art Shops stock materials suitable for laser cutting. If you are looking for larger sheets of acrylic, the Chelsea Art Shop may have larger sizes available.
  Please contact the shop in advance to check stock and reserve materials before travelling.

• Local art and model-making suppliers
  For example, Cowling & Wilcox and similar art supply shops may stock acrylic, plywood, card and other materials.
  Stock can vary significantly between branches, so call or check online before visiting.

Online purchasing

When buying materials online, always check that they are suitable for laser cutting.

For acrylic:

• Cast acrylic is generally preferred （not extruded acrylic）
• Avoid purchasing material if the exact plastic type is unclear
• Look for products clearly described as suitable for CO₂ laser cutting, laser-grade acrylic

Possible suppliers include:

• Hindleys
• Trotec
• Amazon
• Other specialist plastics, model-making or laser-cutting material suppliers

Before ordering, we recommend comparing:

• Material type and specification
• Sheet dimensions and thickness
• Price per sheet
• Delivery cost
• Delivery time
• Minimum order quantity

Found a better supplier?

If you find a reliable supplier offering suitable materials at a lower price, please let the technician know. We can review it and keep this page updated for other students.