Curved outdoor signage using printed acrylic

In this tutorial you'll discover how to create your own sign using printed acrylic with your Trotec Laser and JobControl® Vision.

Preparation

Required Material:

Machines Used:

* SP3000, 400W and Speedy 400, 100W
* 5" lens and 2" lens
* Acrylic slat table and vacuum table with acrylic grid

Ofcourse, you could create this pattern (depending on the size) with any machine from the Speedy Laser Engraver series.

Tip:

Get creative with various textures and colors from the TroGlass range for different finishes for your clients.

Step by Step

Step 1: Print and import design

Print the template on 8 mm acrylic and upload our laser file into the graphics program of your choice. Send the laser contour for the shield with the following print settings to your Trotec laser:

Process mode	Resolution	Cut line
Vector Job	1000dpi	None

Halftone	Others
Color	Optimized Geometries, Inner Geometries First

Important: Make sure that in the Corel print window, the color black is already stored in the parameter selection with the process "register marks." This will help you recognize the registration marks later in JobControl®.

JobControl Vision: Print and cut with the laser cutter SP3000

Step 2: Laser process printed acrylic

Position the printed acrylic face-up on the acrylic blades in your SP3000. Cover the open working spaces. The parameters may differ depending on the laser machine used and available laser power:

Laser Parameter	Color	Process	Power (%)	Speed (%)	ppi/Hz
Registration Marks	Black	Reg Marks	-	-	-
Cutting	Red	Cutting Co2	85	2.3	20,000

Laser Parameter	Passes	Air-Assist	Z-Offset	Advanced
Reg Marks	-	-	-	-
Cutting	1	ON	-2mm	-

Arrange graphics nested to save material

Step 3: Acrylic lettering

To create a unique 3D effect, the lettering of the sign is glued on colored TroGlass. We cut it with a Speedy 400. To do so, send the logos with the following settings to your Trotec laser.

Process mode	Resolution	Cut line
Vector Job	1000dpi	None

Halftone	Others
Color	Optimized Geometries, Inner Geometries First

Tip:

If you attach the lettering by hand, without using the provided template, you could maximise the space used by rotating the letters and arranging them in a cluster in order to save material.

Step 4: Laser process acrylic lettering

Now place the various TroGlass sheets that you've chosen on the acrylic grid cutting table in your Speedy 400, cover the rest of the processing surface and cut out the various lettering. The parameters could differ depending on the laser machine used and available laser power:

Color	Process	Power (%)	Speed (%)	ppi/Hz
Red	Cut CO₂	100	1	1000

Passes	Air Assist	Z-Offset	Advanced
1	on	-	-

Tip:

We have set a framework around the word "Chicago." After the laser process, we secure the letters to the frame with tape so that the entire word can be glued in the perfect alignment.

Step 5: Finishing

To finish off your project, peel off the protective layer on the front of the acrylic shield. First, loosely place the lettering on the sign. When you are happy with the layout, individually stick each letter on the acrylic shield. The lettering "Chicago" will be placed at the end, as soon as the word "jazz club" is fixed. The curved-cut sign made of TroGlass is complete, which you can now attach to the wall with ease using wall spacers.

Why is TroGlass suitable for this application?

This product range includes a wide selection of acrylic sheets in a variety of colors, each with different finishes and degrees of transparency. Along with these and a range of other benefits, making our "specially developed for laser" acrylic glass the number one choice for eye-catching and unique applications. With extremely high weather resistance and optimal light scattering as well as being very easy to work with - TroGlass if the obvious choice.

Inspiration

Illuminate the sign from behind with an LED strip to make it visible even in the dark.
Create table numbers and name badges for staff to match exterior signage.