Using the Material Coupon Generator
The Coupon Generator turns selected Material Library entries into a compact .lbrn2 test grid so several saved settings can be compared on one prepared sample.
What it creates
Every checked setting becomes one coupon cell on its own LightBurn layer. The complete cut setting is copied to that layer, including its operation type, power, speed, frequency, pulse width, interval, angle, passes, and other stored values.
The project includes a title and the swatch or setting name above each cell. It does not add a filled background or synthetic canvas.
How to generate a coupon
Open Swatch Palette Vault and expand the saved libraries containing the settings you want to compare. Check the desired entries; selections may come from more than one library. Choose Selected Actions, select Generate Coupon, choose the setting that should engrave the Labels, enter a Material Name, specify the coupon width and length in millimeters, and generate the file.
The Labels selector can use any setting from a palette represented by the selected coupon settings; the label setting does not have to become a coupon cell. Open the downloaded .lbrn2 file in LightBurn. Confirm the overall dimensions, cell order, labels, device, layer output state, and every laser parameter before framing or running it.
Coupon size and layout
The title, labels, spacing, and cells are scaled together to the requested width and length. A smaller coupon produces smaller cells and text, so choose dimensions that leave enough physical area for the laser and material to show meaningful differences.
The generated layout supports up to 29 checked settings because one LightBurn layer is reserved for the black title and labels.
Choose the label setting
When an applicable palette contains a Cut Setting Entry named Labels, the coupon form selects it automatically. You may keep it or choose any other setting offered by the Labels selector. If no Labels entry exists, the first applicable selected setting is the fallback.
The chosen setting supplies the actual operation type, power, speed, frequency, pulse width, hatch behavior, passes, and other parameters for the title and cell names. The text remains organized on the project's label layer, but its physical appearance depends on the chosen laser setting and material.
Useful comparison workflows
Use a coupon to see how existing settings behave on a new, laser-compatible material or finish. This can quickly reveal which saved settings transfer poorly, which remain useful as starting points, and whether the new surface produces colors, textures, contrast, or ablation that were not visible on the original material.
Select several settings intended to produce the same color and compare them on one sample to decide which gives the best hue, consistency, surface quality, contrast, or viewing-angle behavior on that material. You can also compare a complete saved palette before preparing artwork so you know which colors remain distinguishable.
Coupons are useful for checking repeatability after changing material batches, cleaning methods, focus procedures, lenses, or machine maintenance; comparing conservative parameter variations or operation types; creating a physical reference card for a specific machine-and-material setup; and detecting changes in output before committing to a finished workpiece.
Control the comparison
Change as few outside variables as possible. Use one representative coupon, consistent preparation and focus, and stable lighting when judging the cooled result. Record the material alloy or product, finish, lens, focus method, and date so the card remains meaningful later.
An existing setting may behave very differently on another material and could melt, burn, release hazardous fumes, damage a coating, or exceed an appropriate process range. Confirm that the material is suitable for laser processing, begin conservatively on expendable stock, follow the laser and material manufacturers' limits, supervise the job, and stop if any cell behaves unexpectedly.
The generator organizes existing settings; it does not certify them, predict their physical results, or make settings from different machines directly transferable.