The aim of this paper is to describe the effects of heat input on the microstructure and properties of laser cladded AISI H13 and Capilla 66 tool steel. The laser cladding or laser metal deposition (LMD) process is affected by a number of parameters that could degrade the final surface properties. The H13 tool steel powder is often used for hot work tools repair and also for additive manufacturing. During cladding, the temperature of the part rises, which changes the process conditions. The paper describes how the cladding strategy itself affects the resulting properties, especially in terms of hardness and abrasion resistance. As the heat input increases, there is higher dilution with the cladded part. The accumulation of heat during 3D cladding or AM printing also leads to a loss of properties due to temperature effects. The Capilla 66 powder shows less loss of properties compared to the more commonly used H13 steel. Hardness after cladding of Capilla 66 is about 100HV1 higher and more uniform in heat affected zones. Despite similar chemistry, Capilla 66 shows less tendency to soften both during cladding and during post-processing heat treatment. But, for the same processing parameters, AISI H13 shows higher cladded volume per unit of time approx. about 40%. The experiment proved that by suitable heat treatment, the hardness of the deposit can be homogenized and increased by secondary precipitation, possibly also by residual austenite transformation on martensite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]