What can you actually do with colored MDF ? In this blog post, I'll show you why we're fans – and how you can use it for creative and functional projects.
Example: Making a practice clock with colored MDF
To demonstrate what's so special about colored MDF, we designed a practice clock for children learning to tell the time. This material is ideal for this because different colors allow you to clearly distinguish between components—while the surface area and thickness remain consistent throughout.
The clock has a gray base with a raised edge and clear numbers. The hands are bright red and rotate. You can place and stack colored time blocks underneath the hands:
- Blue = half an hour
- Orange = fifteen minutes
- Yellow = five minutes
This visually illustrates how many quarters of an hour are in a quarter, or how to calculate, for example, from 10:15 to 11:00. Educational and fun to make!
What is colored MDF?
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is a sheet material made of compressed wood fibers. The colored version is dyed all the way through – so it's also visible from the side when sawing.
Laser cutting creates a dark edge, which can leave some soot. You can sand this away or fix it with a coat of varnish. We believe the black edge actually adds depth to your design.
Properties of colored MDF:
- Density: 850 kg/m³
- Available in: green, blue, yellow, red, gray and orange
- Plates from 40 x 30 cm
How do you cut colored MDF with a laser cutter?
Colored MDF is slightly tougher than standard MDF because of the dye. This means you'll need to adjust your settings slightly:
- CO₂ laser cutter (90W): approximately 15mm/sec cutting speed
- Diode laser (20W): multiple passes required
Tip: Always do a small test run before starting a larger project. This way, you'll be sure your settings are correct and avoid waste.
Want to get started yourself?
Are you curious about colored MDF and would you like to try it at a reasonable price?
This week we are giving a 30% discount on colored MDF due to the SPRING SALE
You can also Check the colored MDF value pack .
