Rubber stamps are one of the best CO₂ laser projects for makers, craft sellers, print shops, and hobbyists. With the right rubber sheet and laser settings, you can create professional-quality stamps for packaging, scrapbooking, journaling, branding, and small-batch production.
This guide covers everything you need to know — from 4–6 mm rubber settings to file setup, engraving depth, cleaning, mounting, and inking techniques.
✅ Covers 4–6 mm rubber stamp settings
✅ Includes workflow + cleaning + mounting
✅ Beginner-friendly + workshop-grade detail
Quick Answer
CO₂ lasers are excellent for producing rubber stamps:
- Use 4–6 mm rubber sheets
- Engrave depth: ~1.2–1.8 mm
- Mirror the design before engraving
- Use honeycomb + strong exhaust
- Clean dust before mounting
Material Selection — Best Rubber for Laser
Not all rubber behaves the same. Use laser rubber whenever possible — it cuts cleaner, smells less, and produces crisp edges.
| Material | Workability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laser rubber (recommended) | ✅ Very good | Clean, low smoke, ideal for stamping |
| Natural rubber | ✅ Good | More smell; darker edges |
| Synthetic rubber | △ Varies | Quality depends on formulation |
Recommended thickness: 4–6 mm (4 mm for basic stamps; 6 mm for deeper impression + durability)
Recommended Rubber Stamp Settings (4–6 mm)
The speed ranges below are based on actual CO₂ laser test data. Always tune ±20% depending on your material brand, humidity, and exhaust setup.
4 mm Rubber Stamp Settings
| Power | Best Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 60 W | ~5–10 mm/s | Good entry level |
| 80 W | ~8–15 mm/s | Clean edges |
| 100 W | ~15–20 mm/s | Crisp result |
| 150 W | ~25–30 mm/s | Fastest + cleanest |
6 mm Rubber Stamp Settings
| Power | Best Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80 W | ~5–10 mm/s | Acceptable |
| 100 W | ~7–12 mm/s | Good detail |
| 150 W | ~9–15 mm/s | Best balance |
Resolution: 300–600 dpi → 400–600 dpi preferred for fine line artwork.
Artwork Preparation
Rubber stamps are a “raised-surface workflow” — meaning you engrave everything except what prints.
- Convert artwork to black/white
- Mirror the artwork (horizontal flip)
- Fill black = engrave
- White = raised print surface
- Set small outline offset if needed
Step-by-Step Workflow
- Download / prepare artwork
- Mirror the design
- Place rubber sheet on honeycomb
- Turn on strong exhaust
- Raster engrave (~1.2–1.8 mm depth)
- Optional: Cut outline to separate the stamp
- Clean dust and ash
- Mount to block / acrylic
- Ink test → adjust pressure
Cleaning & Processing
Rubber engraving leaves powdery debris in the engraved channels — cleaning is critical for clear stamping.
- Use stiff brush + water/soap
- Rinse & dry fully
- Compressed air works great
- Light alcohol wipe optional
Mounting Your Stamp
- Use wood block / acrylic block / handle
- Use permanent adhesive
- Add printed label on the back for alignment
Tip: Crystal acrylic bases are popular for modern, clean stamp designs.
Inking & Printing Tips
- Test with dye / pigment ink
- Clean stamp before switching colors
- Apply uniform pressure
For fine text or linework → pigment ink gives sharper edges.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Edges look fuzzy | Too shallow | Engrave deeper (~1.5 mm) |
| Burn marks | Speed too low | Increase speed |
| Fine detail lost | DPI too low | Use 400–600 dpi |
| Grooves filled w/ dust | No cleaning | Brush + air |
| Print looks reversed | Not mirrored | Mirror artwork |
Safety Notes
- Use strong exhaust
- Do NOT cut PVC rubber (toxic fumes)
- Wear PPE while cleaning ash
- Never leave machine unattended
FAQ
Q: Can a 60 W CO₂ laser make rubber stamps?
Yes — 4 mm rubber works well at ~5–10 mm/s.
Q: How deep should I engrave?
~1.2–1.8 mm is ideal.
Q: Do I need to mirror?
Yes. Must mirror before engraving.
Q: Why is my print blurry?
Likely not deep enough or not cleaned properly.
Conclusion
Rubber stamps are an excellent CO₂ laser project — inexpensive, fun, customizable, and commercially valuable. With the correct settings and cleaning workflow, you can produce crisp, professional stamps for branding, packaging, crafts, invitations, or small-run production.
Start with:
- 4–6 mm laser rubber
- Engrave ~1.5 mm deep
- Mirror the design
- Use strong exhaust
- Brush clean before use