Digitally printed puzzle with individual engraving

Step by Step instruction

print & cut puzzle
print & cut puzzle

Create a personalised puzzle using our new Digital Print Series material. Follow the instructions below and download our free template.

Preparation

You Will Need
  • 1/2 sheet TroLase Metallic, matte brushed Aluminium/Black 1.6mm
  • 1/2 sheet TroLase ADA, Polar White 1.6mm
  • Photo Frame 30 x 40mm
  • Material for covering up the working table
Machine Used

You can create this puzzle with any machine in the Speedy series.

Tips

We used a free online software to create the puzzle pieces. You will be able to find many examples on the internet as well.

puzzle-digital-print-series.zip

ZIP

Download now

Step by step

print settings laser material dps
Step 1

Step 1: Create The Print & Laser Design

Download the graphic we have provided, or try creating your own! You can find some tips & tricks on creating graphics for Digital Print Series here.

Once you have finished creating your masterpiece, send the file to the laser machine.

Print Settings

Process mode Resolution Cut line
Standard 600 dpi None
Halftone Others
Colour Optimised Geometries, Inner Geometries First
laser engraving puzzle
Step 2

Step 2: The Laser Process

We used the optimised TroLase parameters from JobControl as our engraving settings. The geometries of the puzzle pieces are somewhat complicated, so we adapted the cutting parameters to suit our design. These parameters may vary depending on what machine you are using and its available laser power.

Next, place the printed sheet of Digital Print Series on the acrylic cutting grid. Engrave and cut out the design.

LASER PARAMETERS

Colour Process  Power (%) Speed (%) ppi/Hz
Black Engrave CO2 40 100 600
Red Cut CO2 32 0.8 5000
Blue Cut CO2 60 1.62 5000
Passes Air Assist Z-Offset Advanced
1 on +1.5 mm High Quality 
1 on - -
1 on - -

Important:

Always engrave from the bottom and work your way up. This will prevent dust from building up inside the engraved areas.
Place a sheet of paper underneath the cut-out puzzle so that you can remove all the elements from the laser at once when you are finished. 

print settings laser material ada
Step 3

Step 3: Graphics Base Plate

It is necessary to have a base plate if you're going to display your puzzle in a frame. Send the graphic to your laser machine using the following settings:

Print Settings

Process Mode Resolution Cut line
Standard 1000 dpi None
Halftone Others
Colour -
base plate puzzle
Step 4

Step 4: Laser Process (Base Plate)

Simply place the TroLase ADA on the acrylic cutting grid and cut it out.

LASER PARAMETERS

Colour Process Power (%) Speed (%) ppi/Hz
Red Cut CO2 65 2 1000
Passes Air Assist Z-Offset Advanced
1 On - -

TIPS:

We used the optimised, standard laser parameters for TroLase ADA in JobControl®.

laser speedy puzzle
Step 5

Step 5: Cleaning & Assembly

After you've finished the engraving, give the puzzle a good clean with a damp cloth.

TIP:

We suggest leaving the material inside the laser machine with the vacuum on once you've finished processing. This will ensure all the parts will stay together while you clean them, making your job much less confusing!

Inspiration

  • Create a larger base plate and make use of the new Trotec signage mounting devices to hand your puzzle on a wall. If you decide to do this, make sure you place double-sided tape on the back of the printed plate before you begin cutting.
  • You can print a few general aesthetic pictures (like sunsets, sandy beaches, flowers, mandalas) and engrave them according to your customers' requirements. This way, you'll always be prepared. 

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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