What you need for a laser-cut workshop

A laser-cut workshop needs more than a cutter and some sheets of material. Plan the workstations, files, extraction and small finishing supplies before participants arrive. Buy materials in several formats so people can test designs without using the final stock. For a group session, provide one laptop per participant or pair, plus shared tools such as rulers, scissors, cutting mats and utility knives. Keep spare materials and storage bins available for unfinished projects.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Reception desk
Storage binsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 6

Equipment

Laser cutter
Extractor unit
Laptopsqty 5
External Hard Drive
USB sticksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 6
Projector
Projection screen
Label printer

Materials

Birch plywood sheetsqty 30
Acrylic sheetsqty 20
Cardboard sheetsqty 30
Masking tapeqty 8
Sandpaperqty 30
Wood glueqty 4
Key ringsqty 30
Cotton cordqty 2
Pencilsqty 30
Rulersqty 10
Scissorsqty 10
Cutting matsqty 6
Utility knivesqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 30
Platesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Coffee potsqty 2
Water jugqty 2
Serving traysqty 4
Small bowlsqty 6

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 24
Dust masksqty 30
Ear defendersqty 12
Heat-resistant glovesqty 4
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit

Decorations

Welcome sign
Safety signsqty 4
Name badgesqty 30
Permanent markersqty 12

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 3 liters
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 1 jar
- Multigrain rolls - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 2 heads
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Whole grain cookies - 4 packs
- Butter cookies - 3 packs
- Rice cakes - 3 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan at least one material sheet per participant for the final project, plus 10–20% extra for test cuts, failed cuts and design changes. Birch plywood, acrylic and cardboard behave differently, so match the stock to the approved cutting files.
Provide one laptop per participant or pair and keep the workshop files on both an external hard drive and USB sticks. Prepare the files before the session so participants are not downloading or troubleshooting at the cutting station.
Set up one extraction unit with the laser cutter and check the power route before the workshop starts. Use extension cords and power strips only after confirming that the venue can safely support the equipment.
Give each workstation a ruler, pencil, scissors and access to a cutting mat and utility knife. Keep wood glue, masking tape and sandpaper at a separate finishing area to prevent clutter around the cutter.
Buy one key ring and enough cotton cord for each finished item, then add at least 10% spare pieces. Reusable cups, plates and name badges are easy to overlook when the focus is on the machine and materials.

Frequently asked questions

How much material do I need for a laser-cut workshop?: Allow one final-project sheet per participant and add 10–20% extra for test cuts and mistakes. If participants can choose between plywood, acrylic and cardboard, split the stock by project type and keep a few spare sheets of each.
How many laptops are needed for a laser-cut workshop?: Provide one laptop per participant for independent work, or one for every two participants for a guided session. Keep the prepared files on an external hard drive and at least two USB sticks as backups.
What tools should each laser-cut workshop station have?: Give each station a pencil, ruler and scissors, with shared cutting mats and utility knives nearby. A practical starting point is one cutting mat and one utility knife for every two participants, plus spare blades stored safely.
When should I buy materials for a laser-cut workshop?: Order plywood, acrylic and cardboard at least 1–2 weeks before the workshop so you have time to check delivery, inspect the sheets and make a test cut. Buy small finishing supplies and backup materials no later than 3–5 days beforehand.

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