Saturday, 21 February 2015

Acrylic Cutting - Tips and Tricks Tutorial: Create a Multi Layered 3D Sign



signage rocket motel sign


The multitude of possibilities a Trotec laser provides with its laser cutting, marking and engraving capabilities is astounding.

Our Americana, retro inspired acrylic sign highlights a range of options available when creating a multi layered 3D sign.

Find out how the process of laser engraving can help ensure accuracy when placing 3D letters, how engraving acrylic can provide a colour change effect without the need for additional materials and how you can also create a multi coloured flat surface by laser cutting acrylic.


Our tutorial will also provide answers to a range of issues you may experience when laser cutting acrylic signage.

We explain how using an acrylic cutting grid table prevents beam reflections onto the back of the material. We also note how the table is important for the elimination of gases and how the table could be the answer if you have previously experienced issues creating the appearance of a flame polished edge when laser cutting acrylic.

acrylic sign zoomed
The appearance of a flame polished, crystal clear edge is a major benefit of laser cutting acrylic over traditional methods. It dramatically reduces production time and the risk of damaging the material is reduced compared to carrying out the process by hand. It is extremely easy to produce when the correct settings and table are used in the laser.

Laser cutting of acrylic - up to 40 mm material strength

If you experience a slight burning to the acrylic we also demonstrate how this can be prevented, simply by keeping the protective film in tact when laser cutting the acrylic.

Check out our free tutorial here.

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

#IkeaHackers - Laser Etched Pet Memorial Mirror Tutorial

Memorial plaques can be expensive but we all want to remember our beloved pets. With the help of a Trotec laser turn a simple Ikea mirror into a beautiful keepsake by the process of laser etching.



We used the Honefoss mirror from Ikea, which comes in a pack of 10 for just £15.

Ikea Hackers Laser Etching Mirror

Import your chosen picture in CorelDraw.
Remove the background from the image.
This can be achieved using CorelDraw. Use the edit bitmap tool>image>cut out lab to access CorelPaint.

Use the outline tool to draw a rough line around your pet then using the fill tool to select the part of the image you want to keep and preview the image.

Clean up the image using the 'add' and 'remove' detail tools to restore elements of the image which may have accidentally been removed or to delete any background which still remains in the image.

Save the image and return to CorelDraw
Invert the image to give the appearance of a negative.
Effects>transform>invert

CorelDraw Image Invert

Send the image to JobContol using the 'print' function.

We used a Trotec Laser Speedy 400 flexx to laser etch the mirror.

Speedy 400 flexx: CO2 and fiber laser with a huge work area

Laser etch the mirror from the back to acheive the best results end with a smooth finish.

Recommended settings - 500 dpi 30% speed 100% power on an 80 watt Speedy 400 flexx.

The final result, a laser etched mirror keepsake for your pet. Simply replace the laser settings at the bottom of the image with a personalised message.





Visit www.troteclaser.co.uk for more free laser tutorials.

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Personalise your Rolling Pin with a Trotec Laser

If the smell of pancakes creeping in from the kitchen has inspired you to don your apron and start baking, then why not make it personal with a Trotec laser.

Rolling Pin with custom Engraving

Find out how to personalise your rolling pin and create fun cookies and pastries with a Trotec Laser.

Use the in depth instructions from our website tutorial to find out

  • How to ensure your artwork is the right size for your rolling pin 
  • How to prepare your rolling pin to achieve the best results from your laser engraver
  • The accessories required to perfectly laser engrave wood when dealing with a curved surface
  • The artwork pdf
  • Laser engraving settings

Don't forget to share your creations with us, email them to lucy.hall@troteclaser.com

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Welcome to Trotec Laser Ireland


This month Trotec Laser has celebrated the grand opening week of our newest showroom in Dublin, Ireland as part of our ever increasing worldwide expansion. The showroom in Blanchardstown welcomes visitors into its showroom area with a wide range of samples on display highlighting a Trotec laser's cutting, marking and engraving capabilities.




The showroom also has a dedicated demonstration area where customers receive a personalised demonstration from our Irish area representative Peter Martin. Customers are welcome to bring their own samples to test and compare or attend for a general laser demonstration. Our Ireland showroom showcases a wide range of our flatbed laser cutters, markers and engravers from:


The Rayjet, our entry level laser which is available on a 'ray-as-you-go' scheme to spread the cost of the machine.







The Speedy 400 flexx which, due to its dual CO2 and fiber power sources is also able to laser mark metal. 


The Speedy 500, recently renamed SP500, our second largest Speedy flatbed laser cutter, marker and engraver. 


Trotec Laser also offer a range of materials, laserable products and laser marking consumables such as Cermark and Thermark, a range of which can be seen on our materials carousel in any of our showrooms. Materials are available to the UK mainland with next day delivery for in stock sheet material and a cut to order service is also available to save you time.



It wouldn't be a grand opening without a red ribbon cutting.

The perfect laser engraved wedding gift, engraved onto a wooden chopping board.  

 A sample of a Trotec Laser's metal marking capabilities on stainless steel and anodised aluminium.



A laser engraving technique called 'relief mode' which created a 3D effect. Here we have used a shell like pattern to customise a wooden picture frame. 


Cut out of acrylic on a SP500.


There is always time for cake. Our tutorial on how to create your own branded laser cut cupcake topper will be coming soon. 

Created on the Speedy 100, we have replicated a photo of a beloved pet onto acrylic, perfect fro framing or to use as a pet memorial. 


Champagne anyone? We used our rotary device to laser etch these glass Champagne bottles to commemorate the opening. 


When in Ireland, why not use cups the same colour as the Irish flag?

We have a huge range of samples which show off our lasers' capabilities and to inspire you as to what you can create. If you don't see an example of an application similar to yours we can create one for you to meet your specification.




Fancy a cuppa? Our of a Trotec laser etched mug of course. 

A laser cut wooden fly, buzzzzzzz


Laser cut and engraved card, possible with even the most intricate of designs. 


A laser engraved wooden wine box. A selection of wine boxes are available to purchase from Trotec Laser, leaving you to get creative and add value to the products where it matters and provides the highest return. 


It wouldn't be an event without Bono. Represented on a laser engraved wooden sign, here you can see the different colours achievable when laser engraving wood. The dark shade almost looks like it has an additional layer of paint but without the messy, costly post processing. 


The living hinge allows the user to create curved wooden products by laser cutting and engraving select indentations into the product. 


An intricately laser cut wooden room divider. 


Wooden and acrylic shamrocks, laser cut and engraved on a Speedy 100.



The trademark Trotec thumb. A Trotec laser naturally gives a flame polished edge to acrylic, which is usually achieved by hand and is very time consuming when cutting acrylic via other methods. 


Laser etched mirror, part of the 'Ikea Hacking' tutorials we will be uploading.  



More intricately laser cut card, highlighting the finest detail achievable with a Trotec Laser on even the thinnest of card stocks. 

The perfect way to commemorate the big day, a personalised wooden heart, laser engraved with the wedding date. 

 'Keep calm and buy from Trotec' because you know you are investing in the right piece of equipment to make your business more profitable. An example of a laser etched mirror. The key to customising a mirror is to etch from the back. 


Who said romance is dead? Our laser etched granite hearts, which are also available to purchase from Trotec Laser, plain for you to customise. 


Love is in the air with our laser cut and engraved wooden tea light candle holder. Find the free tutorial here. 


Laser cut card which gives a highly detailed lace effect. Some lasers can burn white card, but with the right settings a Trotec Laser leaves the white card pristine. 


Metal marking with a Speedy 400 flexx on stainless steel. 

Engraving acrylic can produce the appearance of a white undercoat. Shown here in our laser engraved herb signs. 


Laser cut acrylic jewellery. 



A selection of laser engraved trophies and awards. 


Photo replication on granite with the Speedy 100 laser engraver. 


Another example of relief mode, giving a 3D effect through laser engraving.


Even the intricate designs of the bats ears and witch's broom are in tact when cut on a Trotec Laser. 


A range of Trotec Laserable laminates which allow the user to produce multi coloured layers without the need for gluing additional pieces of material, saving time, mess and the price of costly consumables. 


Wooden laser cut art. 



Not just useful for paper cutting, even delicate scoring can be achieved on a Trotec Laser. 

Give the right first impression with a laser cut and engraved business card. 


Signage laser cut engraved and cut from Trotec Laserable laminates. The multi layered material displays white writing when engraved. 


We were ready for our first demonstration with a laser cut personalised gift for the customer. 




You can find Trotec Laser Ireland at
  • ​Unit 13, Rossfield (site 50)
  • Rosemount Business Park
  • Snugborough Road
  • Dublin 15
  • Ireland
  • 20 minutes from Dublin Airport

You will always receive a warm welcome at our showroom in Ireland. To make your appointment call us on +44 844 800 0020 or email sales@troteclaser.com. The showroom is not currently permanently manned as Peter, our area representative may be on the road carrying out demonstrations so appointments are recommended and also allows us to tailor your appointment to meet your needs. Speakl to us about how a Trotec Laser can make your business more profitable.