Can I Use This? The xTool M2 Material Cheat Sheet for Beginners
Updated Jun 18,2026
Updated Jun 18,2026

  1. Introduction

New to the xTool M2? The first question almost everyone asks is the same: "Can my machine handle this material?"

This is your save-and-reference cheat sheet. Bookmark it.

One table plus a few avoid-the-pitfall tips below will help you figure out what to do with whatever material is in your hands.


  1. Meet the M2's three modules

The M2 is a desktop color craft laser that "swaps heads to swap skills":

  • CMYK Inkjet Printing Module — full-color printing
  • Blue diode laser module — cutting + engraving
  • 3W IR laser module — engraving on metal and some plastics

With dual cameras for smart positioning and a Class 1 enclosed safety design, you can see exactly where your design will land before you start. That's also why you can run the whole "print first, then cut" sticker workflow on one machine.

Module

Main use

CMYK Inkjet Printing Module / cartridge

Color printing

10W blue diode laser

Cutting thin materials, engraving

20W blue diode laser

Cutting thicker materials, faster engraving

3W IR laser module

Fine marking on metal/plastic surfaces


  1. One table to see it all: cut / engrave / print

Key: ✅ Yes ⚠️ Possible with conditions / test first ❌ No or not recommended — Not applicable

Material

Print: CMYK inkjet

Cut: 10W/20W diode

Engrave: IR / diode

Recommended module

Notes

Cardstock / paper

Inkjet + diode

Great for cards, packaging, labels; edges can scorch when cutting — cut from the back

Label paper / adhesive sticker paper

Inkjet + diode

Ideal for print-then-cut; confirm the adhesive backing is PVC-free

Temporary tattoo paper

⚠️

Inkjet (mainly)

Mainly for printing; if cutting, test at low power to avoid melting the film edge

Felt

⚠️

Inkjet + diode

Prints and cuts; light-colored felt prints more clearly, dark felt is weaker

Wood / thin wood sheets

⚠️

Diode; printing needs prep

Cuts and engraves; for inkjet on wood, apply a coating/primer first

Plywood

⚠️

Diode; printing needs prep

10W suits thin sheets; 20W handles thicker plywood; coat/prime before inkjet

MDF

⚠️

Diode; printing needs prep

Prime before printing

PU (faux) leather

⚠️

Diode

PVC-containing material must never be lasered; cut quality varies with material, thickness, and ventilation — engraving recommended

Genuine leather

⚠️

Diode

Cuts and engraves; for printing, use light-colored leather or a coating — dark leather shows little

Dark/opaque acrylic (blue-light-cuttable acrylic)

Diode

Diode suits dark/opaque acrylic; clear acrylic is not suitable for diode cutting

Clear acrylic

⚠️

⚠️

Inkjet needs prep; laser not recommended

The blue diode passes through clear acrylic, so it cuts poorly; try a surface-marking spray or colored backing, then engrave

Glass

⚠️

⚠️

Inkjet needs coating; diode needs an aid

Surface marking is possible but usually needs a spray/sticker/marking agent

Ceramic

⚠️

⚠️

Inkjet needs coating; diode/IR depends on surface

Good for coloring or surface-marking tests; not a reliable cutting material

Anodized aluminum

IR / diode

IR suits metal marking; the anodized layer can also be lightly etched/bleached with the diode

Coated metal

IR / diode

Removes coating or marks; results depend on coating color and material

Stainless steel

IR (preferred)

Add the IR module for metal engraving/marking; the diode is limited on stainless steel

Slate / stone

Diode

Surface engraving only, no cutting; test a sample for contrast

Rubber stamp material

⚠️

Diode

Laser-safe rubber only; ordinary rubber has a complex composition — confirm it's safe

Fabric / canvas

⚠️

⚠️

Inkjet + diode

Light-colored fabric prints better; prevent scorched edges when cutting

Foam

⚠️

⚠️

Inkjet or low-power diode

Must confirm the material is safe; PVC/EVA and similar need caution — check the MSDS first


  1. Grouped by what you want to make

Print stars (inkjet module): standard adhesive stickers, holographic adhesive stickers, temporary tattoo stickers, cardstock. If you want full color or want to make stickers and photo prints, start here.

Cut-and-engrave favorites (blue diode): felt, plywood, colored MDF, leather, dark / blue-diode-cuttable acrylic. Keychains, tags, signs, decorative ornaments — these are your go-to materials.

Print-then-Cut in one machine: this is where the M2 shines — print your design and cut along the outline on the same machine, no swapping equipment. Custom stickers, labels, and appliqués flow start to finish.


  1. ⛔ Don't laser these

These can release toxic fumes or damage the machine — do not cut or engrave them:

  • PVC / chlorine-containing vinyl materials
  • Polycarbonate (PC)
  • Leather or foam of unknown composition

One common mix-up to flag: printable adhesive vinyl is not the same as PVC you can laser-cut. When buying "vinyl" materials, look for a PVC-free label — and if you're not sure what it's made of, keep it out of the laser.


  1. Before you start: a few quick reminders

    1. Settings are starting points. Always test any recommended setting on a scrap piece first, since results vary by material batch and module. With official materials, the parameters are already certified — scan to import and you can skip most of the back-and-forth.
    2. Wear your protective gear. Always wear laser safety goggles rated for the laser's wavelength to guard against reflected or scattered light. Wear a dust mask too.
    3. Shield the work area. If you're working with an unenclosed setup, shield the area to block exposed light. Never remove the protective cover while the laser is on.
    4. Turn on air-assist. Air-assist blows away dust, smoke, and char, keeps the lens cleaner, and keeps the cutting path clear.
    5. Tape down your material. To avoid knocking the magnetic positioning piece in the top-left corner while the head moves, secure your material with masking tape for all printing jobs.


  1. Not sure where to start? xTool selected materials are the easy choice

The thing beginners worry about most is "is this the right material, and where do my settings start?" XTool materials are already tested for M2, your first project is much more likely to succeed — leave the trial and error to us, and just create.

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