Easy Laser Engraving on Clear Acrylic!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Leave me a comment and let me know if you have someone in mind that you'd give the jellyfish to!

[@beekahn-sales7888]

Honestly, I'd make it for myself. 🤣

[@LetsMakeAThing]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brucejomms]

My Ex-Wife............. Yeh she was a jellyfish... spineless bitch 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RichDogOfficialMusic]

Never saw someone before engraving with diode laser on transparent acrylic. May i ask a question will it work same on frosted & milkey arcylic? And can this metod cut this 3 kind of arcylic?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

@@RichDogOfficialMusic I haven't tested this on frosted acrylic so I can't say for sure. Sadly, you cannot cut clear acrylic with a diode laser even using a method like this.

[@laserXperience]

Finally somebody who gets right to the point

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Thank you. I try my best to be concise in the videos.

[@imdaogsee3648]

The dish soap hack is a life saver!!! I had stopped trying to use the card stock method because of the debris that burns in. Thanks!!!!💯

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You are so welcome!

[@robinmichael8544]

You have a really educational way explaning, very good 🙂👍 most people wouldnt have told soap-side down..and i would sit there scratching my head and wonder 🙂

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Thank you! Glad you found the video useful. I've been an educator for over 15 years so that may have something to do with it. 🤣

[@JimVoll-l9u]

Way back in the day when I was in Scouting, we used to rub some soap on the outside of cooking pots before putting them on the fire to help keep soot from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

[@shirocp]

Your method worked beautifully! I was applying black paint on the underside of acrylic and alcohol to remove fingerprints and dust. My acrylic kept cracking!! The soap and detergent worked wonders, and I prefer the black card stock rather than paint (no messes or cleanup in between). I actually used your settings and the results were great! Thanks a bunch.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Awesome! Glad it worked so well for you!

[@desparzaification]

I AGREE THANKS

[@holliday9416]

finally the discussion its finish, it is possible to engrave clear acrylic! thanks a lot for the viedo u have a new subscriber!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad you found it useful!

[@BrendaDavis-1963]

Wow I bought some of these two they’ll be here tomorrow so I’m glad I came across you a video

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Have fun making your new signs!

[@BrendaDavis-1963]

@@LetsMakeAThing well I’m new to the laser world so I’m still learning all of the settings. I did my first slate coaster last night, but that smell is terrible and then acrylic. I heard you have to paint then how does that work? You just wipe the paint off with critic, paint or, watch your video so I think I like your video better

[@ArtisanPirate]

Thanks for this very informative video! I just got a Ray5 20 watt laser and have been wanting to try some clear acrylic

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FretNoMore]

Excellent method and explanation - thank you!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@invinciblemuffi]

Very well explained. Thanks a ton for sharing your experience

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marykevanderwalt2181]

I'm so glad i came across your video. I got an AlgoLaser and tested my.first acrylic see through and it started catching fire, luckily i got an emergency stop button on my machine. But im gonna get all the materials needed to engrave on the see through acrylic hopefully it will work this time.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad I could help!

[@momentomoridoth2007]

I use plastic polish meant for automotive headlights to get the small scratches out of acrylic - works great

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@ShafaqIftikhar-pw9ld]

Another super video thankyou for the upload!!!!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gilbertboyer9936]

Thank you for instructive video. You have given us hope. Any idea for settings on cutting 8mm clear acrylic?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Sadly, you cannot cut clear acrylic with a diode laser. You need a CO2 laser for that.

[@skurniyantomappadang]

i am going to try this methode. many thanks for usefull video...❤

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You're Welcome!

[@BrendaDavis-1963]

My granddaughter would love the jelly fish

[@BrendaDavis-1963]

May make her one

[@johnstuart9965]

Great and very informative videos, Keep up the great work.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Thank you!

[@borisbadinov7757]

Thank you so much, this is exactly the info I needed. Subbed!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad it helped!

[@Bakerfamilyvideos]

Thanks alot

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You're Welcome!

[@ConscienciaSuprahumana]

excellent video (and ense of humour)!!, thanks!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Many thanks!

[@dfortin0011]

xty sir very helpfull and entertaining !!!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad you liked it

[@NormanCollinsTeaching]

How do you think I could set this up using a 5W diode laser? I have a Sculpfun s9. I would love any advise you can give me. I know I would have to set the laser for a longer time or multiple passes.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I would run a materials test in Lightburn to get a baseline of where your laser starts to engrave the acrylic using this method. Then you can take those numbers and tweak them till you get results you're happy with.

[@NormanCollinsTeaching]

@@LetsMakeAThing Thank you, sir. I bought your course and have already learned more in one day than a week just watching random videos.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

That's great to hear! Would you mind if I used your testimonial about my course for my website?

[@NormanCollinsTeaching]

@@LetsMakeAThing Of course! Go right ahead!

[@deonbaptiste1991]

Great video, Thankyou. Been wondering how to engrave clear acrylic using my diode laser, one question though. What alternatives you would recommend in place of the spray adhesive ?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You don't really need the spray adhesive. I've had lots of people let me know they successfully used this method without it.

[@boshoss86]

Can i ask what your settings where: Power: Speed: Line Density?

[@BlackAngel-qt3yh]

Superbe ! pourriez vous me donnez les réglages svp ? j’ai une ortur master 3 Merci !

[@korayb5295]

Hello, I like your videos.. can I know which software you are using ?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I use Lightburn. lightburnsoftware.com/

[@scotttyler7610]

Thanks for the video. What’s the purpose of the spray glue? What’s it purpose? Thank you

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You're welcome! I used the spray glue to hold the card stock down to my bed. It wasn't really necessary in retrospect. I just wanted to be sure it didn't move during setup and engraving.

[@scotttyler7610]

Thank you very much. Gonna try tomorrow.

[@ZBDaniel26]

Hi. Can this trick also work in cutting clear acrylic?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Sadly no, you need a CO2 laser to cut through clear acrylic.

[@axeldejesus2060]

Awesome video Curtis Thanks. I've been wanting to make this kind of sign so this video really helped me. Thanks

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@venussnyder9822]

Your videos are making my dive into laser cutting/engraving so much more pleasurable, thank you! However, I couldn't get all the black off my acrylic, could you tell me why that may be?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I found that when I was getting leftover soot on the acrylic it was one of two issues. Either I was putting the soap on too thin or I was still running the laser too slow (or too much power). It took a lot of tweaking to get it just right.

[@philgarver1241]

Thanks for a helpful video, much appreciated! I guess the only questions I have is how do you know which is the front and back of these? Thank you!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

There is no actual front or back on the acrylic. It can fit into the LED base in either direction.

[@philgarver1241]

@@LetsMakeAThing Understood, thank you!

[@ebayscopeman]

Is it possible to engrave deep enough to be able to fill the engraving with black paint? I want to make clear round knob dial skirts with numbers engraved (miror imaged) on the back side of 1/32 clear plastic cut the center and the perimeter out (like a disc with a hole in the center) and then fill the numbers with paint so they stand out with illumination from the rear. Sam

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Sadly, you'd need a CO2 laser to get a deeper engrave into the clear acrylic.

[@jackhelm9852]

What did you use to cut the acrylic to fit the bases and get several out of one sheet of 12x12?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I used my table saw and a small hand saw to cut them down.

[@LetsDIYIt]

Thanks for the video. I ordered rhe card stock and adhesive to give your method a try. Question, what does the adhesive do for tuis method? Does laying the card stock down without glue cause an issue?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I used the adhesive to make sure the card stock wouldn't move around and cause alignment issues. May not be necessary, as I often over-engineer solutions.

[@LetsDIYIt]

@@LetsMakeAThing gotcha. Thought maybe was a added later of protection and not necessarily a necessity. I ordered it anyway. My laser head doesn't move though so I may try running it tomorrow with just the card stock

[@TimothyAllenMadison]

I tried your settings and immediately the acrylic started popping. I have the 20 watt WeCreate Vision diode laser. How is it that you're able to use such a high power percentages when most other recommendations for etching acrylic with a diode laser are to use low power?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

It could be that the auto focus on the WeCreat isn't precise with the clear acrylic and it's ending up slightly de-focused. I found when I de-focused my laser at all it caused the popping with the speeds and power I was using.

[@axeldejesus2060]

Hello Curtis. I also have a 20-watt laser and you mentioned you engraved this at 10000 speed and 70% power? What are your settings for cutting the clear acrylic? Thanks

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Sadly, you cannot cut clear acrylic with a diode laser. If you want to cut clear acrylic you will need a CO2 laser.

[@axeldejesus2060]

@@LetsMakeAThing Ok Thanks. I was curious since you purchased the 12x12 sheets. Was that so you can test the engraving?

[@danpavlicek9904]

Hey. Hey, I'd like to ask you. Could you please help me? I mean, even when I use detergent, my acrylic is still tan from underneath and it's black. Could I ask for a straightforward procedure? I recently bought a diode laser because of making this and I can't figure out what to do and how to do it. I've been watching your videos for a while and I really like them but unfortunately with this acrylic I don't know what to do . Thank you for any answer and help Dan

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I'm not sure if by detergent you mean dish soap or laundry. Be sure you are using dish washing liquid, as some detergents will have chemicals that react and cause more problems with the engrave. You might also want to try playing with your power and speed. If you're getting black and tan you might also be running too hot and/or too slow. It's a process and can take a lot of trial and error to dial in for your laser. Hope this helps!

[@danpavlicek9904]

Hi I use dishwashing liquid and black cardboard. I've used so much acrylic I don't even count it anymore 😁. I also have a 20W laser but from a different company and I noticed you use a 20W laser too. Could you please try to send me your parameters for comparison? Thank you for your help. Dan

[@scotholmes]

Do u do this engraving for others? I want to hire someone for a small job

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I do not take commissions. Sorry.

[@brunoferro5440]

Please settinga to lightburn. Thanks. Good work

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I covered the settings I used in the beginning of the video.

[@desertrooster702]

I am using a Creality Falcon2 22w. The acrylic is popping like crazy with these setings. I lowered the power and increased the speed and it is still happening. Any suggestions?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Double check your focus. I found that when my laser wasn't focused properly I'd end up with lots of pops. If you haven't done a ramp test to make sure your laser focus is dialed in I'd also suggest doing that so your focus is really precise. If you've done both of those things, keep going faster and lowering the power till you get it dialed in.

[@epeeforte]

Hey, tell me, I have a sincere question, I'm French, I tried your method, however I really can't get the same result, I use transparent acrylic and not black like you, I I have an Xtool D1 Pro 20W & Infrared 1064nm - Also, I ordered on Amazon France, black cardstock, spray glue, and a silicon mat, but in both cases, I have the cardboard that "background" and on the acrylic a burnt residue, due to the cardboard, any idea? how to do? thank you =)

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Did you put dish soap on the acrylic before laying it on the card stock? Without the dish soap you won't get as decent of a transfer and will end up with the brown residue.

[@tomzphone]

Followed your video, however, didn't use any glue/spray on the card stock, used one sheet - folded in half. Everything came out perfect, but 70 power and 160mm/per sec speed is too much, have to lower the power or up the speed. using a 20watt laser by Xtools.

[@axeldejesus2060]

Hello Steve. Question. When engraving with this method; where is the actual engraving happening? On top of the acrylic or on the cardboard side? Thanks

[@LetsMakeAThing]

The engrave happens between the cardboard and the acrylic. So on the bottom of the acrylic the way I have it set up.

[@KimberlyJaneSotelo]

if i may ask, how many mm did you use for the Acrylic?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I used 3mm cast acrylic for this video.

[@ankkd1923]

how long did it take you to engrave that ?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I made this sign on a 20 watt diode laser and it took me about 14ish minutes if I'm remembering correctly.

[@ankkd1923]

@@LetsMakeAThing Thanks for replying, now, please what settings would you change for a 33w diode laser?

[@vz3390]

when you say, "focus on the top of the cardstock..not the acrylic" what do you mean? I flip the latch down set the laser on top on acrylic and tighten down before lifting it back up...am i supposed to do that differently?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Like I showed in the video I put the card stock down first and then I focused on the card stock before I put the acrylic down. In your case, you would use the the latch on top the card stock, lock your laser, then move it out of the way and add the acrylic. Hope this helps!

[@vz3390]

@@LetsMakeAThing i was thinking that's what you meant, but I'm not near my laser and thought it would bump up against the acrylic piece that way. Ill try this when I get home. Ive had my laser for a couple days and thought I had it down but nope not yet. Thank you for your video.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

@@vz3390 Hope it works out for you!

[@vz3390]

@@LetsMakeAThing thank you. And actually now that I look at your video again I see why I was lost when you focused the laser on the cardstock. You were using that black item to get the laser focus right. My xtool doesn't utilize that so you have an extra gap where you can slide the acrylic under whereas my light shield is very close to the material so I dont have as much of a gap to slide the acrylic under. Any advice?

[@PhilippeLhoste]

@@vz3390 If possible, you might remove the light shield to gain space below the laser (I can do that on mine). Of course, protect your eyes with special glasses, then.

[@jimmiejendruck4521]

For speed can you convert that for me please, I use percentage. Yup I’m a newbie. Have a great Christmas and the best to you in 2024

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I can't convert to percentage because Lightburn only does mm/min or mm/sec. And even if I did convert to percentage it's going to be a different speed on your laser than it is on mine. If you're planning on getting serious with laser engraving I highly recommend purchasing the lightburn license. Extremely reasonable and it's a one time fee not a subscription so it's yours forever. They also offer a 30 full access trial before you buy! I am not sponsored by Lightburn I just love their software.

[@stevenwalrath508]

Little confused on your description about engraving on the back side and how the black paper works

[@brunoferro5440]

where can i transfer the test file of these eyes on acrylic

[@LetsMakeAThing]

I'm not sure what test file you are asking about?

[@kolevanover3626]

Will a microfiber cloth scratch the acrylic?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

As long as its clean it shouldn't. Just be careful there isn't any debris on the acrylic that could get caught on the cloth then leave scratch marks. I've had that happen to me before.

[@Nobel0]

Hey sir, Does this will work on a Atomstack 10W laser ? Thanks

[@LetsMakeAThing]

It should. Although you'll need to test for speed and power since your laser is a different wattage than mine.

[@Nobel0]

@@LetsMakeAThing Thanks a lot, so the concept you used, is having high speed with less power right ?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Yes, if you go too slow with too much power you'll end up cracking the acrylic. Start faster with medium power and dial it in from there.

[@Nobel0]

@@LetsMakeAThing Thanks a lot for the help sir. Much appreciated !

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You're welcome! Let me know how it goes!

[@Youdontwannaknow..]

What Minimum wattage laser required?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

You should be able to do this on any diode laser 5.5 watt and up. Just need to run slower if you have a low powered laser.

[@mikemckee6299]

How do I contact you about getting some work done for me?

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Sorry, I'm not taking commissions currently.

[@MrRhix]

Would this work to actually cut the acrylic? Even if it takes long or something. Because spending +3k € for a machine outta nowehere hurts a bit too much =/

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Unfortunately, this will not work to cut clear acrylic on a diode laser. You still need a CO2 laser for that.

[@MrRhix]

@@LetsMakeAThing thank you a lot for your fast reply! Yeah, i thought so, but still had some hope. Well, i guess there would exist some vídeos of people doing it if it was in any way possible.

[@PhilippeLhoste]

AFAIK, you can cut black acrylic with a diode laser, not clear acrylic. You don't need a 20 W laser to engrave acrylic, a 10 W is enough (perhaps a bit slower; mine peak a 6000 mm/min), so the price might be lower (and there are often sales).

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Yes, you can cut black and most other colored acrylic with a diode laser because the color allows the acrylic to absorb the diode's wavelength.

[@LuisCasstle]

Anyone that works with acrylic should know that you do not use solvents on it. If someone says theirs is fine with alcohol they're probably blind and can't see all the cracks.

[@johnstuart9965]

If you plan to sell these plexiglass signs to the public, I would never use paper towels to wipe off water or anything with any paper towel or tissue because you can make very small fine scratches on the PLexi, you should use a cloth that is made specifically for cleaning your Large screen TV. they sell this cloth for screens and photo lenses to prevent tiny scratches when wiping off dust and stuff, but use mild soap and water & nothing harsh, rinse then wipe gently.

[@LetsMakeAThing]

👍

[@richm.1583]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKa7oZ6JrcyXq8U This might be the Video about the soap. Haven't done it yet but ran across your vedeos and remembered I had this saved. "Steve makes everything custom edge-lit sign". Looks like I have some more binge watching; Thank You!

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

You must live next door to Drew Fisher! now that is funny! 🤣🛫

[@LetsMakeAThing]

Considering none of my stuff has been stolen, er borrowed, by the neighbors I doubt I live near him. 🤣

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

@@LetsMakeAThing you are a lucky man. 😀🛫