Laser cut silhouette

Follow this tutorial to learn how to create your own paper silhouette artwork. These finished pieces make great gifts and decorations.

DIY laser cut silhouette
DIY laser cut silhouette

Preparation

Required Material
  • 1 Sheet Laser Paper Orange-Red
  • 1 Sheet Laser Paper Slate Gray + 3M adhesive
  • 1 Sheet Laser Paper Blue + 3M adhesive
  • 1 Sheet Laser Paper Dark Blue + 3M adhesive
  • 1 Sheet Laser Paper Black + 3M adhesive
  • Masking material for laser bed
Machines Used
  • Speedy 360, 80 Watt
  • 1.5" lens
  • Honeycomb vacuum table

This DIY uses a Speedy 360 laser engraver, but feel free to create this piece using any of the laser machines in the Speedy laser engraver series.

Tip

If possible, try out a 1.5" lens for this DIY. They're ideal for delicate, detailed cuts.

DIY-lasercut-paper-silhouette.zip

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Step by step

Trotec laser print settings: LaserPaper
Step 1

Step 1: Design

Import the provided graphics, but feel free to adapt them as you wish to create your own unique silhouette. Then send the 5 various graphics to your Trotec laser machine with the following settings:

Process mode Resolution Cut line
Standard 500dpi none
Halftone Others
color Enhanced geometries, Inner Geometries first
Laser cutting different types and colors of paper
Step 2

Step 2: Laser Process the Paper

Arrange the colored paper sheets in order according to your design, and place them in your Trotec laser machine. Also, consider masking the rest of the working surface to get a strong vacuum. We recommend the following laser parameters, although they may vary depending on the laser machine you're using and the available laser power.

Laser Parameters: Engraving

Black Engrave CO2 40 70 500
Color Process Power % Speed % ppi/Hz
1 ON 0mm High Quality
Passes Air Assist Z-offset Advanced

Laser Parameters: Cutting

Color Process Power % Speed % ppi/Hz
Red Cut CO2 15 1 1,000
Passes Air Assist Z-offset Advanced
1 ON 0mm -
assemble your laser cut silhouette
Step 3

Step 3: Assembly

Select a color for your backing plate, layering the colored sheets on top, following the order established in your design. If you've decided to use our design, we recommend the orange rectangle as a backing plate, with the remaining colors layered in the following order:

  • Slate grey
  • Blue
  • Dark blue
  • Black as finishing

Trotec Materials

Like all of our laserable materials, Trotec LaserPaper has been developed specifically for laser processing. This means you can achieve the highest contrast with the laser machine, while retaining a clean cut mark from laser cutting. Available in a wide variety of eye-catching colors, Trotec LaserPaper is ideal for many applications! Consider trying it for invitations, brochures, business cards, greeting cards and much more. Let your imagination run wild!

Inspiration

  • Cut spacers from thin TroLase ADA, and stick them between the individual paper sheets. This adds additional depth and dimension to the final piece.
  • Replace the orange base plate with white LaserPaper Synthetic, so you can stand the picture in front of a lamp and illuminate it.
  • Depending on the motif, laser cut silhouettes make a great gift card.

Speedy series
The ideal laser engraver and cutter for personalization.

Discover laser engravers and cutters

Questions about applications or settings?
We're happy to advise you from A for Air assist to Z for z-offset.

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