If you're completely new to acrylic and you're planning to use a laser cutter, don't feel like you need to buy everything at once.
A good starting point is:
1. Start with cast acrylic
Look for acrylic specifically suitable for laser cutting.
2. Start with a versatile thickness
3mm is a great starting point for many laser-cut projects, although your ideal thickness will depend on what you're making.
3. Choose a few versatile colours
Rather than buying 20 colours straight away, start with a small selection you know you'll use.
Black and white are great basics, then add a few colours that suit your style.
4. Add something special
Once you've got your basics, try a mirror, glitter or matte sheet.
This is where you can start experimenting and developing your own style.
5. Buy samples where possible
A colour you see on a screen can look very different in real life.
Lighting, screens and photography can all change how a colour appears.
If you're building a product range, samples or swatches can save you from buying sheets that aren't quite what you expected.