How to use Lightburn for material parameter testing
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How to use Lightburn for material parameter testing

November 10, 2025
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When working with various materials on a laser engraver machine, the default parameters provided by the manufacturer or official website often don’t produce the exact results you want. Some materials may be too dark, while others are too light. To quickly identify optimal settings, LightBurn provides a powerful feature called Material Parameter Matrix Testing. This allows you to systematically test combinations of speed, power, passes, and intervals, so you can find the ideal parameters for your specific material.

1) Open the Matrix Interface

The first step is to access the Material Test interface:

  1. Open LightBurn and connect your laser machine.

  2. In the top toolbar, locate LaserTools and select Material Test.

2) Configure the Matrix Parameters

Once the matrix interface is open, you can set up the test grid:

  • Count: Specify the number of rows and columns for the test matrix. More rows/columns allow finer parameter testing, but take longer to engrave.

  • Param: Choose which variable to test along the X and Y axes. Options include Speed, Power, Interval, or Passes.

  • Min/Max: Set the range for each variable. For example, Power from 20% to 80%, or Speed from 200 mm/min to 800 mm/min.

Other settings include:

  • Edit Material Setting: Configure parameters for the individual matrix grid.

  • Edit Text Setting: Customize labels or numbers displayed outside the matrix to track test parameters.

  • Edit Border Setting: Adjust the engraving frame around the matrix to ensure it fits your material.

At the bottom of the interface, you can also enable or disable the engraving of text labels and the matrix border.

3) Engrave the Matrix

After configuring the matrix:

  1. Preview First: Click Preview to check how the matrix will fit on your material. This avoids engraving off the edge.

  2. Frame the Area: Use the Frame function to trace the perimeter of the matrix and ensure proper placement on your material.

  3. Adjust Size if Needed: If the matrix is too large or too small, adjust the Height and Width in the previous settings section.

  4. Start Engraving: Once everything looks correct, click Start to begin engraving the matrix.

Observe the results to determine which combination of parameters gives the desired effect. You can refine your results by reducing the Min/Max gap to amplify the engraving effect in a specific range, producing finer details.

Conclusion

Using LightBurn’s Material Parameter Matrix feature on your laser cutter and engraver allows you to systematically explore and optimize engraving parameters for any material. By carefully configuring the grid, previewing placement, and observing results, you can identify the ideal speed, power, and passes for precise, high-quality engraving. This method not only saves time and material but also ensures consistent results across different projects and materials. With repeated use, matrix testing becomes an invaluable tool in achieving professional-grade results with your laser cutter and engraver, whether you are a hobbyist or a professional fabricator.