DIY laser cut silhouette

Laser Cut Silhouette

Searching for a unique gift or decoration idea? This tutorial will teach you how to create your very own paper silhouette artwork.

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

Find our LaserPaper in the webshop

Machines Used:

Use any of the laser machines in our Speedy laser engraver series. We used a Speedy 360 for our silhouette.

Tip:

For delicate and detailed cuts we recommend using the 1.5" lens.

Step by Step

Trotec laser print settings: LaserPaper
Trotec laser print settings: LaserPaper

Step 1: Design

Import your own graphics and edit the silhouette design as needed. Then, send the 5 assorted graphics to your Trotec laser machine with the following criteria:

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

Step 2: Laser Process the Paper

Organize your mix of colored paper sheets in their correct order, according to your design. Place them flat in your Trotec laser machine. Cover the remainder of the working surface to allow for a strong vacuum. Parameters may vary by laser machine model and beam strength.

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
Stick the different paper layers together to finish your multi-layer silhouette.

Step 3: Assembly

Choose one color for the backing plate. Next, arrange the colored sheets in the correct order, in line with your design. If you are following our design, use the orange paper as the backing plate, and then place the remaining colors in the following order:

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

Trotec Materials

Are you interested in using our tested LaserPaper for your applications? Try it out for yourself. LaserPaper was produced especially for laser processing, along with our additional laserable materials. With this comes high laser machine contrast, clean cut marks, and impressive results. LaserPaper proves to be high-quality and is available in a variety of different colors that way your next invitation, brochure, greeting or business card will stand out.

Inspiration

Inspiration for a laser cut silhouette
Inspiration for a laser cut silhouette
  • Cut spacers from thin TroLase ADA, and stick them in between the individual paper sheets to further emphasize the depth of the finished product.
  • To illuminate your creation, substitute the orange base plate with white LaserPaper Synthetic and stand the picture upright in front of a lamp.
  • Depending on the context of the design, you can use the laser cut silhouette as a gift card.

Download Graphic Files

Download Graphic Files

Product Recommendations

Laser engraver and cutter

Speedy series: laser engraving and cutting machines for formats up to 40 x 24 inches

Product Details
See our lasers in action! Request a demo now
Request a demo now