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](/static_processed/fba70bc0f77581b2b47c6cf0da8127f4/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/paper-cutting-silhouette/DIY-lasercut-silhouette.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Preparation
Required Material
- 1 Sheet Laser Paper Orange-Red
- 1 Sheet Laser Paper Slate Gray + self adhesive
- 1 Sheet Laser Paper Blue + self adhesive
- 1 Sheet Laser Paper Dark Blue + self adhesive
- 1 Sheet Laser Paper Black + self adhesive
- Covering material
Machines Used
- Speedy 360, 80 Watt
- 1.5" lens
- Honeycomb vacuum table
We used a Speedy 360 laser engraver for ours, but you can create this piece using any of the laser machines in the Speedy laser engraver series.
Tip
We used the 1.5" lens, because we wanted to make very delicate and detailed cuts.
Step by step
![Trotec laser print settings: LaserPaper](/static_processed/3ba42aa8c4e669a59cff5ea410b56d1d/.PNG?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/paper-cutting-silhouette/trotec-laser-print-settings-paper.PNG","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "trotec-laser-print-settings-paper.PNG")
Step 1: Design
Import the graphics and adapt the design 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](/static_processed/a122272f6f696136ea1c91492356d6af/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/paper-cutting-silhouette/laser-cutting-different-paper.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-cutting-different-paper.jpg")
Step 2: Laser Process the Paper
Arrange the colored paper sheets in order, according to your design, and then lay them in the your Trotec laser machine. Cover the rest of the working surface to get a strong vacuum. The laser parameters can 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](/static_processed/f69d09866d9bd2805c018a683591e8f8/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/paper-cutting-silhouette/assemble-lasercut-silhouette.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "assemble-lasercut-silhouette.jpg")
Step 3: Assembly
Select a color for the backing plate, and then place the colored sheets in order, based on your design. If you're using our design, take the orange rectangle as a backing plate, and then stick the remaining colors in the following order:
- Slate grey
- Blue
- Dark blue
- Black as finishing
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
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.
Step by step
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 |
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 | - |
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 for a laser cut silhouette](/static_processed/a87ddb8636485269be1cbf7b910222e6/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/paper-cutting-silhouette/inspiration-lasercut-silhouette.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
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.
![](/static_processed/fc17f3f08cabee36be9428851f6288f3/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":470,"fit":"cover"}}})
![](/static_processed/be02a368e247553be5ca098932b53787/contact-ferdinand.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/contact/contact-ferdinand.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":80,"height":80,"fit":"cover"}}})
