Do you want to learn how to make your own laser-cut wood signs?
I love home decor as much as the next person. But my goodness, it can get really expensive. To buy your wood-cut signs, you’re going to spend at least thirty, if not hundreds of dollars.
That’s why I like making my own laser cut wood signs. Plus, when I make them myself, I can customize them exactly how I want!
I know that this project might seem daunting, but it’s actually rather simple. In this blog post, I am going to show you how to make laser-cut wood signs, step-by-step.
How much does a laser wood cutter cost?
The cost of a laser wood cutter will vary depending on the size and model you choose. They range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands, again, depending on the size and model you choose.
For this project, I used an Omtech Laser Cutter and Engraver which vary in price. But you can choose any machine you want.
What is the best wood to cut with a laser?
You can use any type of wood, including plain old plywood. I just used wood that I had laying around my house already.
What’s more important than the type of wood is the size. If you only want to cut from one piece like I did, then you will want something that has dimensions of 12 inches by 19 inches.
Look for a piece that is about the size you want your sign to be with extra room to cut out your letters.
What can you do with these custom wood signs?
These are so much fun to make and they can become a little bit addictive. So, you might be wondering what you can do with them so that you can make more!
I use them around my house to decorate. I make custom signs with unique quotes and messages that suit our home. This is my favorite way to use them.
They also make cool custom gifts for family, friends, your kid’s teacher, and so on.
If you want, you can even sell your wooden signs. They sell great at local craft fairs, on local marketplaces, and on Etsy. If you are going to sell, you can make signs for weddings, photographers, home decor, party decor, and more.
If you talk to local small businesses, you might even find a couple who are interested in using or selling them.
How do you make a wood cutout sign?
To make your laser-cut wood sign, you will first need to gather your materials. This includes the wood, 3M double-sided tape, and an SVG design to use.
If you don’t have any extra wood laying around, you can check your local hardware store or Home Depot. Most hardware stores will even have the double-sided 3M tape.
And, if you want to use the same SVG design that I did, you can get it here.
Once you have your materials, you will need to gather your tools including:
- Omtech Laser Cutter and Engraver (also works with other machines)
- Tweezers
- Paint Markers (I used black for my custom sign)
How do you get the letters to stick to the wooden sign?
While you can use glue, I don’t like to. First of all, glue is very messy. It can get all over your workstation and you might even find dried-up glue on your sign once you are done. This doesn’t look very nice.
My favorite adhesive method is to use the 3M double-sided tape. Attach this to the area of your wood where the letters will be cut. Doing this means that the double-sided tape will be cut with the wood for a perfect fit.
Once all your letters are cut and painted, you can use tweezers to peel off the protective paper exposing the adhesive tape. Place the letter on your wooden sign and press down to get it to stick.
I think using the 3M tape gives it a very clean, finished look. Much better than glue.
Other Designs You Can Use
If you would like to see some other designs you can use for your laser-cut wood signs, here are some of my top picks!
- Good Friends Wine Together
- Farm Fresh Eggs
- Farm Sweet Farm
- My Favorite Season Is Hockey
- Love Never Fails
- Mommy’s Little Monster
How To Make A Laser Cut Wood Signs
Do you want to make your own laser cut wood signs for your home? Learn how easy it is in this step-by-step guide!
Materials
- 3M Double Sided Tape
- Laser Cut Sign SVG Files
Tools
- Omtech Laser Cutter and Engraver (or another similar machine)
- Tweezers
- Paint Markers
Instructions
1. Download the SVG file and upload it into your machine's software program. The file is sized for machines that cut 12x19, but you can resize it without losing quality.
2. Add 3M to the back of the area that will cut out your letters.
3. Cut out the design, I have designed it in a way that you can cut the whole thing out on 1 sheet.
Note: Red lines are score lines and black are cut lines.
4. Use baby wipes to clean off the residue. I like to use baby wipes. 
5. Check that you didn't lose any pieces.
6. Use the paint marker to paint the letters you cut out. 
7. Remove the tape only on the piece you are working with. 
8. Stick it down and give it a press. 
9. Clean up any leftover residue.
10. Add any other decorations you want like a bow and command strips to hang. 
