Not every laser project is a large panel. A lot of the craft happens in small pieces cut by the dozen from a single sheet.
Keychains
Keychains are typically made from acrylic or thin plywood. The outline is cut, a hole is cut for the ring, and the design or name is engraved. Light-up keychains use edge-lit acrylic: a tiny rechargeable LED in the holder lights the engraved pattern from the edge.
Earrings
Laser earrings are light because they are thin — usually 2–3 mm acrylic or wood. Because shapes can be as intricate as lace, they are a perfect laser product. Pairs are nested together on a sheet so both earrings come out identical, and tiny holes for hooks and jump rings are cut in the same pass.
Coasters
Coasters are cut from cork, wood, acrylic or slate and are often engraved with patterns, logos or names. Slate cannot be cut by a typical workshop laser, so it is bought as ready blanks and only engraved — leaving a light grey mark on dark stone.
Tags
Name and pet tags are engraved with text — a name, a phone number. Acrylic and wooden tags are cut and engraved with a CO2 or diode laser; metal tags are engraved with a fibre laser, which leaves a permanent mark that does not wear off like paint.
After the laser stops
- Masking: sheets are often covered with paper tape before cutting, which is peeled off afterwards to remove smoke marks.
- Cleaning and sanding: wood is wiped or lightly sanded to remove soot from the surface.
- Colour and finish: wood can be dyed, painted or oiled; acrylic can be painted in the engraved areas for contrast.
- Assembly: rings, hooks, LEDs and clasps are fitted by hand.
Back to the start: how a laser cutter works.
Photo: Snapmaker / Unsplash