I’m a Glowforge Catalog designer, and go through quite a bit of wood just figuring out my designs. I wanted a cheaper alternative to Glowforge’s Proofgrade Basswood that’s masked and finished with a price of $19.99 per 12×12 sheet! Most of my catalog designs involve using acrylic paint pens or wood stain for the projects, therefore I needed unfinished, economical, quick turnaround and flat sheets.

I ordered from several Amazon sellers claiming to have the best Basswood, I ended up returning all but one for warped and extremely thin wood with defects. I’m so impressed with the quality wood I received from Ninekong, I had to share all about them in this blog, in hopes that it helps you and keeps them full of orders so they never stop being my go-to source! Sharing is caring!

Why Basswood?

Basswood plywood is valued for its fine grain, light weight, and excellent workability, making it an ideal choice for intricate laser cutting and engraving projects.

Advantages:

  1. Fine Grain Structure: Basswood plywood features a tight, uniform grain pattern that facilitates precise laser cutting and engraving, resulting in intricate designs with clean edges and smooth surfaces.
  2. Ease of Workability: Basswood is relatively soft and easy to work with, allowing for efficient processing with laser technology and minimal risk of damage to equipment.
  3. Affordability: Basswood plywood is often more cost-effective than birch plywood, making it a preferred choice for budget-conscious projects without sacrificing quality.

Disadvantages:

  1. Limited Durability: While basswood is suitable for decorative and lightweight applications, it may lack the durability required for structural or load-bearing purposes.
  2. Surface Variation: The light color and subtle grain of basswood may result in less pronounced engraving contrast compared to darker or more textured wood species, affecting the visibility and clarity of designs.
  3. Availability: Basswood plywood may be less readily available compared to more common wood materials, requiring additional effort to source from specialized suppliers.

Why is Ninekong’s 12″ x 12″ x 1/8″ the Best Basswood on Amazon?

Quality

My order arrived in a well packaged box with 4 total 12 packs inside. It had foam on the box sides, top and bottom. Each 12 pack is shrink wrapped.

First thing I did was open them and lay them on my flat counter, they are flat! YAY! Then I picked a random sheet to put inside my Aura… still lays flat!

The boards were flat, free from defects or plywood patches, have nice edges, are smooth to the touch, and have fine grain patterns. This brand clearly states an E0 rated Glue between the layers of veneer and popular core – meaning, they passed the Formaldehyde Emission Standards and it’s laser-safe wood.

They cut like butter in my Aura… so smooth, easy release and minimal charring, which is saying a lot for Glowforge.

Price

Glowforge charges $19.99 for just one 12″x12″ finished plywood sheet, I know it’s masked and finished, but still.

Ninekong’s 12 pack is only $19.95, you get 12 for the price of one Proofgrade sheet. The per sheet price is $1.66!!! If you buy 4 packs at once, 48 total sheets, it gets your costs down even further to only $1.16/sheet!

Speed

I received my Amazon order in just a few days, I live in a mountainous rural area, so we aren’t exactly 1, 2, 3, or even 4 day delivery. I checked the shipping estimate for our nearest big cities and it was same day or next day.

Best
12"x12"x1/8" (3mm) Basswood Plywood Sheets - 12 Pack
$19.95

Also available in bulk quantities up to 48 sheets, and up to 1/4" thickness

02/15/2025 12:03 am GMT

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I’m Sarah!

Creator & Maker of all the fun projects!

I’m an ‘LOCD’ Laser Obsessed Craft Designer. My mission is to show you how fun & profitable owning a laser can be!

That beam of light changed my life! My products are carried in 300+ Stores, I sell at local craft shows, and more.

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Best Basswood Plywood on Amazon - Ninekong

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