Birch plywood is ideal for laser cutting. Unfortunately, it can warp; we explain what you can do to prevent this. And what you can do to solve this problem. Are you going to work with birch wood? Then this is very useful information for you.
Birch plywood is a strong and versatile type of wood, specially made for Lasersheets with glue suitable for laser cutting. It is our bestseller for laser cutting for a reason.
Update April 2025: We have added a new type of birch wood to our assortment, namely of Asian origin. This wood is slightly less strong than the European variant, but it is much flatter and more affordable. View it here
Why choose birch plywood from Lasersheets?
Birch plywood is specially made for Lasersheets, with an adhesive that causes less soot when laser cut. The wood comes from European forestry, and we are proud that some of our thicknesses are FSC certified.
Birch has been our customers' favorite for years, and this is why:
- B/B Quality: This means high quality, sanded and unjoined. Small pinholes and natural color nuances may occur, but repairs in the visible layer are not allowed.
- Few knots: A laser cannot cut through knots in one pass, which creates unsightly spots or can render parts completely unusable. That is why we have our birch plywood made with fewer knots.
- Strong: Birch wood is dense and tough, and therefore very strong. The many cross-bonded layers make the plywood extra strong.
- Consistent: The thickness of the sheets may deviate by a maximum of 0.3 mm from the specified thickness, which is very consistent.
- Multiple thicknesses: This offers flexibility for various projects and components.
Our birch wood for laser cutting is suitable for decorative applications; because it is B/B quality, there are no repairs in the visible layers. Your laser production will yield more, because with fewer knots in this wood, more parts are cut out correctly in one go. Birch wood is inherently a strong type of wood; it doesn't dent easily and can also be used for structural designs. The different thicknesses offer you as a designer many possibilities with the same material: 0.5 and 1 mm can be bent or even used as veneer. While 3 mm is already strong enough for small crates, boxes, etc. With 9 mm, you can make furniture. Birch plywood is a reliable type of wood, with which you can get the most out of your laser.
The only downside is that it can warp due to fluctuating humidity. We have conducted extensive research and compared manufacturers. Unfortunately, the industry is not yet at a point where it can completely prevent this problem. Therefore, we would like to explain what can prevent and remedy warping.
Why does wood warp?
Wood warps due to moisture. In plywood, tension arises between the layers, causing a sheet to twist. By twisting, we mean warping in a 'twisted' shape, a bit like a pretzel. You recognize this when one corner of the sheet lifts if you lay it flat.
Temperature differences and the resulting fluctuating humidity can cause a plywood sheet to twist. We do not ship wood that is already severely twisted, but wood can still warp during transport. We have no control over the conditions in which the wood is shipped, so it is possible that wood twists because the carrier's depots and vans experience fluctuating humidity.
If you want to be sure that you receive a straight sheet, we recommend that you pick it up yourself at our location in Rotterdam.
Do all thicknesses warp?
No. Wood from 0.5 to 2 mm thick is so flexible that it twists. Warping hardly occurs with 6 and 9 mm thick sheets either, as these are strong enough to keep themselves straight.
It is the 3 and 4 mm thicknesses that run the highest risk of twisting.
Update April 2025: Our birch wood of Asian origin warps less than birch wood of European origin.
How can you prevent a wooden sheet from warping?
Wood is a natural product that reacts to humidity. Unfortunately, it cannot be completely ruled out, but you can minimize the risk of warping with the following tips.
Store your sheet in this way:
- Flat (horizontally), never place your sheet at an angle.
- In a box or other packaging, this dampens fluctuations in humidity.
- Under a heavy sheet and/or extra weight.
- In a room with low humidity, so not in a basement or shed.
The worst thing you can do is store your wooden sheets upright in a damp shed. We advise you to store the material flat, wrapped, and under a heavy sheet. Are you storing it in a damp room? Then wrap it in plastic (cling film) and place something heavy on top.
Is warped wood unusable?
No. Twisted wood is not unusable. There are a few things you can do.
- Cut it into smaller pieces; the tension usually releases, and the sheets become straight.
- Use tape, weights, magnets or honeycomb clips to keep your material flat in your machine.
- Is it too warped to cut? Place it wrapped under a heavy sheet with extra weights on top in a dry room and wait a few days.
The tension in a warped wooden sheet usually releases when it is made smaller. So, if you are going to cut smaller parts from your sheet, it is not a problem if your sheet is a bit warped; your parts will still come out straight.
Did your wood arrive too warped to use? Then contact customer service immediately upon receipt, and we will look for a suitable solution together.
Please note that we have a return period of 30 days, after which we unfortunately cannot help you further.
Alternative wood types
If you want to completely avoid the risk of warping material, take a look at our other wood types:
- Asian birch plywood the same type of wood, just slightly less strong and flat
- Linden plywood is light, flat and also slightly softer
- Veneered MDF the look of wood with the advantages of MDF
In summary
Lasersheets' birch wood is of high quality and ideal for laser cutting. When you laser cut this wood, you will experience less soot buildup and fewer failed parts due to knots than with standard plywood. It is also strong and reliable.
Unfortunately, this material can warp due to fluctuating humidity. The best practices for storing birch wood are: flat, wrapped, under a heavy weight, and in a dry room. So, don't lean it against a wall in your shed!
Has your wood warped? Then you can store it under a heavy weight until it is straight. You can also cut smaller pieces from it, which releases the tension. Or contact customer service, do this immediately upon receipt.
Birch plywood suitable for laser cutting has been Lasersheets' bestseller for years; it is strong and of high quality, giving you endless possibilities. What will your next project be made of birch wood?
