So, you have access to a laser cutter or engraver, and you’re eager to create your first project. You want something simple, practical, and impressive. Look no further than the humble yet perfect beginner project: the laser engraved wood coaster. This project is ideal because it requires minimal materials, teaches you the core principles of laser operation, and gives you a tangible, useful result in minutes. Let’s walk through the simple steps to create your own custom coaster.
What You’ll Need:
- A Laser Cutter/Engraver: This could be at a makerspace, library, school, or your own workshop.
- Software: The machine will likely use specific software (like LightBurn, RDWorks, or software bundled with the machine), but you’ll start by designing in any vector program you’re comfortable with, such as Inkscape (free) or Adobe Illustrator.
- Material: A piece of 1/8″ (3mm) thick basswood plywood is highly recommended for beginners. It engraves and cuts cleanly, is inexpensive, and has a lovely light color that provides great contrast. You can find small packs of pre-cut squares online or cut a larger sheet to size (typically 3.5″ x 3.5″ or 4″ x 4″).
- A Design: This is where you get creative!
Step 1: Create Your Design
Keep it simple for your first attempt. Open your design software and create a new document. Set the page dimensions to match your material size.
- The Base Shape: Draw a square (or circle) that will be the final cut-out shape of your coaster.
- The Engraving: This is the part the laser will “burn” onto the surface. It can be:
- Text: Your initials, a favorite word, or “Coffee.”
- A Simple Logo or Icon: A paw print, a mountain silhouette, or a geometric pattern.
- A Bitmap Image: A simple, high-contrast black and white photo can work well.
Crucial Tip: Your design must be made of vector paths (lines and shapes) for the cutter to understand. For engraving, filled areas will be engraved. For cutting, the lines must be set to a very thin “hairline” stroke (usually 0.001 pt). This tells the laser, “Follow this exact path to cut through the material.”
Step 2: Prepare the File for the Laser
Once your design is ready, it’s time to prepare it in the laser software.
- Import Your Design: Open your design file (usually as an SVG or DXF) in the laser software.
- Set Your Layers (The Most Important Step!): This is where you assign jobs to the laser. You will have at least two operations:
- Engrave Layer: Select all elements you want engraved. Set the laser power to a low to medium setting (e.g., 15-25% power for many machines) and a high speed (e.g., 80-100% speed). The goal is to vaporize a thin layer of wood without cutting through it. Always start with a recommended setting from your material supplier or do a test grid on a scrap piece of wood!
- Cut Layer: Select the outer square path that defines your coaster. Set the laser to higher power (e.g., 60-100% power) and a slow speed (e.g., 5-15% speed). This ensures the laser burns all the way through the wood. The “hairline” stroke you used earlier will now be recognized as a cut line.
Step 3: Safety First & Machine Setup
- Focus the Laser: Follow your machine’s instructions to focus the laser lens at the correct height above your material. A properly focused laser is crucial for a clean cut and engrave.
- Secure the Material: Place your wood on the laser bed. Make sure it’s flat and secure. You can use tape or magnets if necessary.
- Turn on the Exhaust Fan! Laser burning creates smoke, and you absolutely need ventilation.
- Close the Lid: Never operate the laser with the lid open.
Step 4: Hit ‘Start’ and Watch the Magic
Send the job to the laser. You’ll see the laser head move in two distinct phases:
- The Engrave: It will quickly raster back and forth, filling in your design like a printer.
- The Cut: It will then slowly and precisely trace the outline of your coaster. You’ll see a faint red light (the pointer) following the path.
Once the laser stops, open the lid (wait a moment for any residual smoke to clear). Your coaster might still be warm and smell like a campfire—that’s normal!
Step 5: The Finishing Touches
Carefully remove your coaster from the bed. You might need to gently push it out if it’s still held by tiny uncut points (called “tabs”). You can lightly sand the edges if you wish. For a more durable and professional finish, consider applying a light coat of food-safe mineral oil or a clear spray sealant. This will protect the wood from moisture and make the engraved areas pop with contrast.
Congratulations!
You’ve just successfully completed your first laser project. You’ve learned how to design for the laser, set different power/speed settings for engraving and cutting, and operated the machine safely. From here, the possibilities are endless. Try different woods, add color with paint fill, or create a whole set for your home. Happy making
