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 LaserPaper Orange-Red
  • 1 Sheet LaserPaper Slate Gray + self adhesive
  • 1 Sheet LaserPaper Blue + self adhesive
  • 1 Sheet LaserPaper Dark Blue + self adhesive
  • 1 Sheet LaserPaper Black + self adhesive
  • Covering material

LaserPaper available in our webshop

Machines Used
  • Speedy 360, 80 Watt
  • 1.5" lens
  • Honeycomb vacuum table

We used the Speedy 360 laser, but you can laser cut this paper silhouette using any Trotec Speedy series laser cutter.

Tip

Use a 1.5" lens to achieve the best results when laser cutting intricate paper designs.

DIY-lasercut-paper-silhouette.zip

ZIP

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Step by step

Trotec laser print settings: LaserPaper
Step 1

Step 1: Design

Import the graphics template and edit the design to create your own individual silhouette. Once you're happy with the final design, use the following settings when sending the job to JobControl:

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 laser paper sheets in order according to your design. Place each sheet individually in your Trotec laser. To create a strong vacuum, cover the remaining working area of the table. Adjust the laser parameters (power and speed) to suit the model and laser power of your Trotec laser.

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

To arrange your design, place down the backing sheet and stack the colored sheets on top, in the order in which they appear in your design. If you have chosen to use our template, use the orange rectangle for the backing sheet, and then stack the remaining colors on top in the following order:

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

Trotec Materials

We used Trotec LaserPaper to test the parameters for this laser cut silhouette project. Trotec LaserPaper has been designed specifically for laser processing, like all of our range of materials. Choosing LaserPaper will ensure you get the highest contrast engraving results and the cleanest laser cuts. Trotec LaserPaper is available in a wide range of colours, and the high quality makes it the perfect choice for applications including invitations, brochures, business cards, greeting cards and more.

Inspiration

  • Add additional depth and dimension by using laser cut spacers made with TroLase ADA, simply stick them between the individual sheets. 
  • Replace the orange base plate with white LaserPaper Synthetic, so the picture can be back lit by a light for extra effect.
  • The right laser cut silhouette design makes a great gift card.

Speedy series
The ideal laser engraver and cutter for personalisation.

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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