One machine, one beam — but three very different results, depending on how the job is set up.
Cutting: going all the way through
For cutting, the head follows the outline of a shape, like a pen tracing a line (this is called vector work). Power is high and speed is low, so the beam burns through the whole thickness of the sheet. Cutting is how parts are separated from the sheet and how openings and windows are made inside a design.
Engraving: drawing on the surface
For engraving, the head scans back and forth across the area line by line, the way an inkjet printer does (this is raster work). The beam removes only a thin top layer. On wood that leaves a darker, slightly sunken image; on acrylic it leaves a frosted, matte mark. The more power, the deeper and darker the engraving. Photos, patterns, logos and text are usually engraved.
Scoring: a fine line
Scoring is the lightest of the three: the head follows a line like in cutting, but with low power, so it only marks the surface. It is a fast way to add thin outlines, fold lines or details without the time an engraving takes.
Why it matters for the finished piece
A good design uses all three on purpose. Openings let light pass through, engraved areas carry detail and texture, and scored lines add crispness. Too many tiny openings can weaken a part, while large engraved areas take longer to make — so every design is a balance. See which materials can handle all this in our guide to laser materials.
Photo: Opt Lasers / Unsplash
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