the invention is both a method and apparatus for cutting thermoplastic materials in an aesthetically pleasing fashion . a laser is used to cut a preselected pattern in a thermoplastic material , resulting in a removable cutting being created , which is extracted from the material . using a contrasting color of thermoplastic material , an identical laser cutting is made . the cutting from the first laser cutting operation is mated to the cavity created by the second laser cutting operation , resulting in a mosaic - type thermoplastic material which is pleasing to the eye . to ensure that the by - products of combustion from the laser cutting do not contaminate the heat - sensitive surfaces of the thermoplastic material , a directed source of vacuum is applied to the cutting table to ensure by - products of combustion are directed away from the cutting field .