I have a piece of 1/8" thick cast acrylic that has a photo bonded to the back using an optically clear adhesive, i.e. you look through the acrylic to see the photo. I want to cut the photo into a jigsaw puzzle but am struggling a bit to figure out how to protect the paper photo on the back while cutting. I don't want it to get charred from the flash when the beam hits the cutting grid.

Normally, I would mask the back of the acrylic but I am concerned that the mask may bond too well to the photo and tear it upon removal. I have sometimes used a sacrificial piece of acrylic under the piece being cut but occasionally that results in the sacrificial piece bonding to the upper layer. Typically that is when the power is cranked up a bit, but I don't want to have to go over this twice as that tends to increase the kerf size. I also thought about a piece of sacrificial wood under the photo. Perhaps even dampening the wood, but not enough to soak into the photo paper.

I'm using a Universal M360, 50 watt with a 2.5" lens and do not run air assist.

Any ideas or suggestions for protecting the photo?

Thanks.

Deane