Experimental techniques for laser-driven flyer generation offer considerable promise as a compact, repeatable, and relatively inexpensive driver for fundamental shock compression studies. Acceleration of microgram samples of thin metal films to high velocities (>3 km-s−1) using Q-switched, solid-state lasers has become well established. Scaling of these methods to provide well-conditioned shock loading with considerably larger sample dimensions and mass would greatly enhance the utility of this driver. As flyer target thickness and mass increase, however, the dynamic shear strength and yielding behavior of the material become important factors in limiting performance. Experiments exploring methods for optimizing the bounding material at the driving laser spot perimeter are described. Results are being incorporated in a 2-D hydrocode model of flyer generation to aid in optimization of target designs. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.