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Copper can be cut with a laser cutter, but the power of the laser needs to be much greater than those used to cut cardboard, wood, and plastic. In terms of laser technology, CO2 lasers are able to cut copper, but operators of laser cutters need to watch out for reflections from the metal as the reflected beam can go back into the laser tube and damage the internal components. Sometimes, operators will coat the metal in a dark layer to try and prevent such reflections. Laser cutting copper is typically faster than CNC machining as well as being a more ideal process. To start, CNCs require the workpiece to be secured down otherwise it will move as soon as the CNC tool makes contact. Secondly, the use of mechanical cutters causes wear and tear overtime which eventually requires tools to be replaced (these can be extremely expensive depending on the quality of the bit). CNCs are also unable to make complete cut-outs on large sheets of material as workpieces can fly out once fully removed from the main sheet material.

Like most metals, copper can be engraved with a laser cutter, and the engraving process is done in the same machine cycle as the cutting. This means that engravings will perfectly match up to the cut design making laser cutting an ideal choice for copper. The engraving abilities of Ponoko make it ideal for a wide range of applications including decorative pieces that require extreme precision, and can also be used for identification purposes too (small QR codes, numbers etc.). Engraved designs are done by removing a small amount of material from the surface of the copper, and this results in a design that is virtually impossible to remove. The only way an engraved design can be removed is if the laser cut part is sanded to an extreme amount. However, as copper has an orange color to it, engraved patterns are not as easily seen compared to other engraved materials such as cardboard and wood.

When it comes to laser cutting copper, the largest cost by far is in the copper material itself as it is a very expensive metal. However, laser cutting is a cheaper process than machining methods that use physical tool bits. This is because laser cutters are generally faster than machining, the lack of tooling bits means that there are no parts that need frequent replacing, and that laser cutting machines can easily cut precision features into copper. Precision parts can also be made using traditional machining methods, but there are a few problems that CNCs face. One major issue is that they cannot completely cut out parts in sheet metal as the part will fly out when the CNC completes the outside cut. Furthermore, material being cut by a CNC needs to be held down tightly otherwise it will move around during the machining process. CNC cut parts also require active cooling methods such as flowing oil as the generated heat can damage tooling bits. Furthermore, laser cutters are extremely economical whether a single part is being used in a prototype, or one thousands are needed for a full production run. The ability for laser cut parts to be used in both prototype and production runs also makes it easier for engineers to plan and expand production cycles.

The thickness of any material being laser cut depends on the ability for the material to be laser cut and the divergence of the laser beam. In the case of Ponoko, copper sheets can be up to 0.06 inches in thickness. The copper used by Ponoko is Electrolytic Copper which is an extremely pure form of copper whose purity is greater than 99.95%.

Copper parts cut using a laser cutter can greatly benefit from their precision and repeatability. Any application that requires 2D copper parts with complex shapes, features, and engravings would do well to use laser cutting, especially if the parts are small. Electronics is highly dependent on copper as copper is highly conductive and easy to solder. While often found in wiring, copper can also be used in specialised heatsinks, bus bars, and radiative components. Copper can also be used in decorative pieces including kitchenware, trinkets, and tags. Despite copper rusting more easily than other metals (such as stainless steel), its luster and vintage appearance make it aesthetically pleasing.