3D Sign Retro Style
Produce this 3-coloured sign in retro style. By sticking on elements you get quite simply an interesting 3D-effect.
![3d sign retro style detail](/static_processed/168282ff70e6c47c057172faf18853b0/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/3d-sign/3d-sign-retro-style-detail.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Preparation
Materials
- A 24" x 24" sheet of TroLase Almond/Black (1/16") with adhesive backing
- A 24" x 24" sheet of TroGlass Color Gloss Translucent Red (1/8")
- Double-sided tape
Trotec Laser and Accessories
Step by step
![trotec materials laminates](/static_processed/eddd675e67a5a240a495177cf0f908da/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/3d-sign/trotec-materials-laminates.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "trotec-materials-laminates.jpg")
Step 1: Prepare your Artwork and Send it to Your Laser
Make your own design, or download our templates (above) and make any desired adjustments. Once your file is complete, send the job to your Trotec laser using the print settings below.
Print Settings
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 500 dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Color | optimized geometries, inner geometries first |
![laser processing 3d sign laminates](/static_processed/a10fcf4fed74e431190aa96083f29d7a/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/3d-sign/laser-processing-3d-sign-laminates.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-processing-3d-sign-laminates.jpg")
Step 2: Cut and Engrave the TroLase Sheet
Place the TroLase sheet on the acrylic cutting grid table in your laser. Cover the remaining area on the table with scrap paper (e.g., standard printing paper). This technique will help to concentrate the laser's suction force on your material to prevent it from moving during laser processing.
Proceed to enter your laser processing parameters. The optimal settings will vary depending on your particular laser and its maximum wattage.
New Speedy 400 Users
The recommended parameters below have been devised for older Speedy 400 models. If you are using a new Speedy 400 with OptiMotion™, your laser will automatically determine the optimal speed. Hence, you can use the following power and speed values for the Red (Cut CO2) process:
- Power: 50%
- Speed: 2%
Processing Parameters
| Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Engrave CO2 | 35 | 75 | Auto PPI |
| Red | Cut CO2 | 42 | 1.2 | 1000 |
| Blue | Cut CO2 | 20 | 10 | 1000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Direction | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ON | 2 | Bottom to top | Optimized quality, corr. 5 |
| 1 | ON | - | - | path planning: standard, corr. 5 |
| 1 | ON | - | - | path planning: standard, corr. 5 |
Step 3: Cut the TroGlass Color Gloss
Remove the TroLase from your laser's work area, and place the TroGlass sheet on the acrylic grid cutting table. Once again, cover the remaining work area with scrap paper to concentrate the vacuum suction force on your material.
Next, enter your laser processing settings. Similarly to in Step 2 above, your laser and its maximum wattage will determine the best parameters for your project. Our recommended settings (below) pertain to Speedy 400 (120 W) systems.
New Speedy 400 Users
If you are using a new Speedy 400 with OptiMotion™, you can use the following power and speed values for both both Red and Green (Cut CO2) processes:
- Power: 80%
- Speed: 1.1%
Proceed to cut the TroGlass in several steps:
- Skip the Green (Cut CO2) process, so that the larger sign components can be cut first
- Remove the cutouts from your laser and place them to the side
- Peel the protective film from the reverse side of the remaining TroGlass sheet, and stick double-sided tape on its underside
- Place the remaining TroGlass sheet back into your laser in the initial cut position, with the tape on the bottom side
- Proceed with the Green (Cut CO2) process, ensuring that you skip both Red and Blue (Cut CO2) processes
Laser Parameters:
| Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Cut CO2 | 30 | 0.2 | 5000 |
| Blue | Cut CO2 | 20 | 10 | 5000 |
| Green | Cut CO2 | 30 | 0.2 | 5000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Direction | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ON | - | - | Path planning: Standard, corr. 5 |
| 1 | ON | - | - | Path planning: Standard, corr. 5 |
| 1 | ON | - | - | Path planning: Standard, corr. 5 |
![3d sign assembly](/static_processed/13c2832669c0fb2cda27d779930668de/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/3d-sign/3d-sign-assembly.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "3d-sign-assembly.jpg")
Step 4: Assemble the Sign
Once laser processing is complete, remove the cutouts from your laser.
First, peel away the protective film from the back of the largest TroLase cutout. Then, carefully stick this piece to the marked area on the red TroGlass cutout.
Next, affix the two smaller TroLase cutouts ("No. One" and "Freshly baked") to the the marked areas on the sign.
Finally, remove the protective film from the back of the red TroGlass lettering. Glue the individual pieces to the upper-left edges of the font engravings of the sign. This will produce the illusion of a shadow created by the lettering.
![3d sign retro style inspiration](/static_processed/db799aedd795e4c4d3687bafbf51e28a/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/3d-sign/3d-sign-retro-style-inspiration.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
More Ideas
- Experiment with different colour combinations — TroLase and TroGlass are each available in a variety of colours and finishes!
- For a classic look, consider using Trotec's solid wood collection
- To achieve a metallic finish, try TroLase Metallic Plus or TroGlass Metallics
![](/static_processed/666fff4d72dd3cc08ac610849af36edf/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/Laser_Machines/Speedy_Series/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png","edits":{"extract":{"top":142,"left":497,"width":933,"height":393},"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
![](/static_processed/86036e30dfb64f111e0262ca17280c76/tlca_mike.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/contact/TLCA_Mike.png","edits":{"resize":{"width":194,"height":194,"fit":"cover"}}})
