I recommend a different approach, rather than trust that the technology will do the job. I think it is high risk to buy the laser machine without thoroughly running several short production runs prior to purchase. When I have sold laser machines to automotive parts suppliers, we always ran numerous samples and short production runs and we got paid along the way.
Regarding paper cutting, a big challenge is to get the right source for laser cutting. A more common example, that many readers here are familiar with is baltic birch cutting, or aircraft grade plywood cutting. Suppliers of this wood will sell particular stock depending upon the technology used to cut it. There is "laser grade" aircraft plywood, that can be specified. Note that laser grade does not mean that the price is more expensive, only that it cuts well with a laser (does not have excessive charring, or blowouts during laser cutting).
For laser processing of heavy paper cutting/cardstock, I was educated by a high end greeting card maker that used a laser engraver for cutting her cardstock. I had to purchase samples of the paper, and the weight of the paper needed to match her weights, around 180 grams, and more importantly, the percentage of lignan content significantly affected laser cut discoloration.
Your glitter paper recommended approach is as follows:
1. Source the glitter paper, and get the specifications on lignan content
2.. Hire a local laser engraver (preferably with a more reliable laser source, such as a Trotec laser that utilizes an RF laser rather than glass tubes).
3. In an iterative process (will take more than one go at it), provide samples and evaluate the factors that provide the best quality. Try to get an experienced job shop that knows how to logically change process parameters, rather than just change the laser machine's speed and power settings. Ask the job shop what focal length lenses they have, to make sure they are qualified. Changing a lens is like changing a drill bit, use the right diameter for the job.
4. After you get acceptable results, then go to the China guys for laser processing on their galvos, or have a local integrator make one up for you
For your information, below is my Bell Laser final report for my customer:
Material: 180 g white paper
Quality: The sample that was laser cut matched the drawing in accuracy. It was cut cleanly and and accurately. There was slight yellowing on the opposite side. Also, the drill holes may be too densely spaced and risk tearing.
Good quality achieve by:
- Using a close focal length for fine cutting in order to get the drill holes the proper size.
- For cutting accuracy, we measured the line thickness for this lens and used an offset width to cut, rather than the center of the closed shape, but on the inside of the closed shape.
- Laser Piercing each closed shape in its center then cutting a “lead in” line to the shape, for example the square, then using a tail-out, to come out. In this manner all shapes do not show a laser pierce hole, or a hole that has a higher burn back from the edge.
In order to reduce yellowing, the following changes may help.
- Change the paper to a better manufacturer of lignon free paper
- Fine tune the laser settings. This test was conducted with a 60 watt laser with one percentage point increments for setting. A better laser is a 30 watt laser with one percent point increments for power setting. The lower power laser will double the fineness of the adjustments. (0.6 watt to 0.3 watts)
- The paper can be held down firm and flat with a vacuum table with minimal contact to the paper. We found that the honeycomb created a back reflection and nonreflective material was best to keep the back side quality white.
Recommendation: We recommend laser training at our facility to show you the machine operation for cards, and/or we provide a detailed tutorial on the best cutting methods with photos and step by step instructions. For the laser machine, we recommend a 30-40 watt laser tube with a small working area for best accuracy of the cutting table, and a flat cutting table aligned to the laser lens that is a short focal length lens.