Materials / Plywood
Plywood Sheet
Strong, layered timber sheet for CNC machining, furniture, cabinetry, and structural applications.
3-25mm
Sheet thickness
Marine grade
Waterproof option
Cross-laminated
Stronger than MDF
Plywood is the engineered timber panel of choice when you need structural strength, light weight and a real wood face. The cross-laminated veneer construction gives it stiffness and load-bearing capacity that MDF cannot match, with a fraction of the weight. P&M Plastics CNC-routes plywood to client artwork for shop fit-outs, custom furniture, structural shelving, jig and fixture work, and CNC-routed signage.
Sizes and formats we stock
Standard plywood is stocked in 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm and 25mm in 2400 x 1200mm and 2440 x 1220mm sheets. We hold structural plywood (CD or CDX face grade) for backing and construction use, and decorative grades (BC face, marine birch and figured species) for visible work and shop fitting.
Grades and finishes
Structural plywood (CD and CDX) is the workhorse for backing, bracing and structural work, with rotary-cut faces that take paint but show grain. Decorative grades (BC, AA, marine-grade birch and species plywood) are stocked for visible work. Marine plywood (with waterproof glue and rot-resistant veneers) is held for marine, bathroom and outdoor work. Coloured-face plywood and pre-laminated grades are available on order.
Plywood compared to MDF
Plywood is far stronger than MDF across the panel and holds load over long spans, which is why structural shelving, jigs, fixtures and load-bearing work goes in plywood. MDF is denser and machines to a smoother edge, so it remains the right pick for painted signage, cabinet doors and decorative panels. For panel work that has to take real load, choose plywood; for painted-finish decorative work, choose MDF.
Why P&M Plastics for plywood work
We CNC-route plywood to client artwork files for shop fit-outs, exhibition stands, custom furniture, signage and jig-and-fixture work. Our CNC produces clean machined edges; we also V-groove for folded panel construction and edge-profile for finished decorative work. For larger projects we can splice and bond multiple panels into oversized finished pieces.
Key Properties
Common Applications
Project Gallery
How We Fabricate Plywood
We fabricate plywood using CNC routing for precision cutting, edge profiling and 2D shape work, panel saws for high-volume straight cuts, and edge banding for finished cabinet edges. Plywood accepts paint, stain, lacquer and laminate well; edges can be left machined and sealed or trimmed with hardwood lipping for a furniture finish. For load-bearing fixings, plywood holds wood screws far better than MDF.
Related Services
CNC Router Services
Computer-controlled CNC routing for precision plastic cutting, profiling, and engraving.
Laser Cutting Services
Precision laser cutting for intricate shapes, clean edges, and polished finishes.
Laser Engraving & Etching
Precision 2D and 3D laser engraving and etching for signage, branding, industrial marking, and decorative applications.
MDF & Plywood Machining
CNC routing and laser cutting of MDF and plywood for signage, furniture, joinery, and custom components.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between plywood and MDF? +
Plywood is built from cross-laminated wood veneers and is structurally strong across the panel; MDF is built from compressed wood fibres and is dense, smooth and uniform. For load-bearing work (shelving, jigs, structural builds) choose plywood. For painted-finish decorative work (cabinet doors, signage, panels), choose MDF.
Can plywood be used outdoors? +
Only marine-grade or external-grade plywood, which uses waterproof glue (WBP or type A) and rot-resistant veneers. Standard interior plywood will delaminate within months of sustained outdoor exposure. For long-term outdoor work we recommend marine plywood with all edges sealed with epoxy or PU before finish coating.
What thickness plywood do I need for shelving? +
Bookshelf-sized shelving (under 600mm span) uses 12mm or 15mm plywood. Spans over 600mm step up to 18mm or 21mm. For heavy load shelving (warehouse and workshop) we use 25mm structural plywood with hardwood edge stiffeners. Send us the load case and we will spec the right thickness.
Can plywood be CNC-cut to a logo or letter? +
Yes. CNC routing cuts plywood to any 2D shape from a vector file. We use sharp single-flute cutters and dust extraction for clean edges. For decorative letters we often layer two thinner sheets to get a built-up dimensional look at a lower weight.
What is marine plywood and when do I need it? +
Marine plywood uses waterproof glue (WBP / type A) and rot-resistant face veneers (typically birch, gaboon or okoume) for true marine and outdoor service. It is the right pick for boat building, marine cabinetry, outdoor furniture, bathroom cabinetry and any application that will see prolonged moisture exposure. It costs more than standard plywood but lasts decades in service.
How do you finish plywood edges? +
Cut edges can be left machined and lightly sanded for a workshop look, sealed with epoxy or PU for a smooth painted finish, or trimmed with hardwood lipping for furniture work. Edge banding (veneer or PVC) is also available for cabinet door edges. For exposed marine and outdoor work, all edges must be sealed before finish coating.
Can plywood be painted or stained? +
Yes. Plywood accepts both paint and stain well. For painted finish we recommend a primer coat to even out the grain absorption, followed by two topcoats. For stain we recommend a wood conditioner first to prevent uneven absorption between veneer grain bands. Decorative grades (BC, AA, marine birch) give the best finish appearance.
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