Making a backlit LED acrylic sign with Co2 laser

In this video, I'll show you how to create a simple yet professional laser cut backlit acrylic sign without using any glue. This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process, and you'll learn how to add LED lighting to create a cool neon sign. Perfect for businesses, events, or home decor. I also show a couple of bonus projects using two-tone acrylic.
Note: You could add acrylic glue to the back of the sign to reinforce the parts if the sign will be moved around a lot, and the glue is transparent so it won't affect the look of the sign.
Shop (affiliate link...thanks for supporting the channel!):
xTool acrylic (xTool discount code: "VW10") - shorturl.at/iBCT7
xTool P2 55w Co2 Laser Cutter ("VW10") - shorturl.at/acsI9
xTool P2 Automatic Conveyor ("VW10") - shorturl.at/zIU28
LED Neon Rope Lights - amzn.to/49ONcDX
Govee Smart LED Lights - amzn.to/42UU5Bt
MakerStock (code “Voeltner10”) - makerstock.com...
Acrylic Adhesive - amzn.to/4bUacmI
Two-tone acrylic - amzn.to/3uQLH9t
Houston acrylic (not affiliate link) - shorturl.at/bjxAY
Laser kerf file referenced in video: www.o2creative...
Let me know in the comments if you want to see more laser project videos. Thanks for watching!
#ledsigns #neonsign #lasercuttingacrylic

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

If you'd like to try some of the xTool acrylics, check out this link here and use code "VW10" on the xTool website for a discount across their online store: xTool acrylic (xTool discount code: "VW10") - shorturl.at/iBCT7

[@tomasrodriguez7715]

Laser projects. We need more brother! Thanks!!

[@didaumbrazil]

I work at a company that does a lot of projects using acrylic and we solved this issue using frost, opal white (the name vary with the brand) or even ilumisheet. It ends the huge variation between dark and light portions of the sign.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you. Another person also left a similar comment. Very much looking forward to trying that. 🙌🏻

[@justjc713]

Laser Project: Thank you for showing the way that something may not work and how you corrected it. It's much more helpful than the perfect only shots.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. Much appreciated.

[@terryh5677]

Laser Project: SWEET and smart thinking. Show the good and bad is always more helpful. Thank you very much.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

[@claudsrich]

Laser projects - thank you for showing your thinking and where you felt you went wrong. This is so helpful!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Matt awesome project and love the way you put it all together in this video. The difference between the standard LEDs and the Rope style was night and day thank you for sharing that! Laser Projects!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Chad! You inspire me brother. 👊🏼

[@elvisontour2005]

Laser projects. New subscriber here!!😊

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Woohoo. Thank you.

[@TheInkspirationStation]

Laser projects are my favorite projects. But YOUR laser projects are better than mine and I love watching your content! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Wow, thanks! I'm glad you're here so we can learn from each other.

[@vectorialstudio]

Laser projects. One of the best channels to clear doubts and always learn something new. Best regards from Canada. 👍

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Awesome. Thank you! Cheers my Northern friend!

[@Lutzboater]

The sign turned out great. Looks just like the original !!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks so much! Very happy with how it turned out. I can’t wait to make the next one.

[@1bigslug]

Many tanks for testing and showing your challenges. Those are expensive mistakes you help us all avoid. Thank you!!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Absolutely. Glad it helped. Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@mikiauto73]

LASER PROJECT : thank you so much for this video! Answered several of my questions! Please do more if acrylique and light projects? And double color acrylics? Really great inspiration!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you very much! More to come.

[@nocillis]

Laser Projects. That's really handy having two toned acrylic. And that's a cool laser cutter. Adding that to my dream workshop ideas list.😊

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching! This xtool P2 is one of my favorite machines to use.

[@HockeyPop29]

I haven't messed with acrylic much, other than to make a 3- layer thick blast gate for the inside of my cabinet's exhaust vent. We converted one of our spare bedrooms in our now empty-nester home, and my son is coming over to help make it a complete studio to do laser, vinyl, and sublimation crafts. I really like these LASER PROJECTS!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

That sounds awesome!! A laser studio! 🤩

[@norret64]

Laser projects - Thanks for the tip on the two tone acrylics I had no idea those were out there and I cant wait to try them! That sign came out amazing!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks so much! They are awesome to use. Happy lasering!

[@coreydavoll7622]

Laser projects - that sign looks great!!!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Corey! 👊🏼

[@CultivatedLaser]

I dont know you, and I just subbed before watching this video, but THANK YOU for not calling this a neon sign.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Hahaha. Right?!

[@napsknottyworks7203]

Laser Projects! Glad to see you in the shop and im gonna take a look at that LED rope, looks way better than the regular lights! Great video.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Nap! The rope made the sign for sure! Huge difference. Thanks for watching brother.

[@lilinoeaddington6843]

Laser Project - very inspiring to this new xTool P2 owner! 😊

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Glad it was inspiring! Welcome to the channel.

[@ChurchCOD]

Laser projects look dope! I am really tempted to get to P2 to be able to cut acrylic

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks! It’s a great machine and acrylics are fun to cut.

[@KB-qh2jt]

Laser Projects, Nice Work!

[@ryanbender5573]

Laser projects. Love it. Picking my P2 up tomorrow. Can’t wait to be creative.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

It’s such a great machine! Thanks for watching.

[@KristenPish]

Laser projects - looking into laser engraving as a side hustle while I’m in nursing school, but don’t know where to start. Thank you for the video, I love the sign!!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Best of luck! It's a fun hobby business to get into.

[@joem924]

I have this square LED fixture in our laundry closet. I disassembled it when I bought it so that I could retrofit the original light fixture from a 75w incandescent to an led. When I disassembled the fixture, I noticed they used similar LED's strip to what you have initially, but used a sheet of non transparent paper (kind of like tracing paper) and a sheet of glass to diffuse the light so you don't see the individual LED's. Just mentioning this as I know sometimes we get in a bind and have to work with what's on hand. This was an awesome project! Thanks for sharing.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

That sounds like a great solution! Thanks for commenting and watching. Welcome to the channel.

[@theloniuser]

LASER PROJECTS - I loved this video and would Love to see more. Thanks!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Awesome, thank you! Let me know if there's anything in particular that you'd like to see. Welcome to the channel!

[@kelliegriffin7115]

laser projects for wedding DIYs!! hahahaha different goals

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

There’s definitely a market there! More laser projects to come. Thanks for watching.

[@ulaB]

Laser projects with layered acrylic are still on my todo list. I just got silver/black ones to play with. Great video.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

It’s gonna be hard to stop once you start. It’s a very fun medium to use. Thanks for watching!!

[@jessserre5173]

Laser Project - love your videos, very informative without intimidation.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you very much! I appreciate that.

[@CoreyD76]

Laser projects. I might have to steal the acrylic tag idea for my daughter's softball team!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks! Go for it! They make great bag tags and are very durable. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffwieland2302]

Laser Projects - appreciate the depth of the video :)

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you, Jeff!

[@KittyOnKrake]

Laser projects - thanks for the detailed video. New to laser engraving so this is very helpful

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@davidpike1047]

Laser projects- don’t think I didn’t watch the whole thing. LOL. Great video as always. May need something like that for my shop.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks David! You’re a loyalist! Yeah, let’s make one.

[@wkdmnky]

Laser Projects! I got a lot out of this video and am happy to say I know subscribe to your channel!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@BinaryDisastr]

Laser Projects! I love love love the 76 light you made. Like you I used to love seeing that logo and more when growing up. My P2 is ordered and waiting on shipping and would love to make one myself but I'm definitely not anywhere good with vector art so I may just have to live vicariously though your sign. Awesome work!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching! You're going to love this laser.

[@BinaryDisastr]

@@VoeltnerWoodworkingthanks. Yeah I’m very excited.

[@Generate-3D]

Laser Projects -- Thank you so much for this video!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you for watching!

[@JBNoles]

Laser projects. Nice video. Enjoy your style!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@lowelljeff]

Laser Project. Awesome

[@randallmaddux9233]

LAZER PROJECTS-Great video, thanks and keep it up!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you Randall!

[@KatieSessegnonTaylor]

Laser Projects - Really cool project - thanks

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you very much Katie!

[@boruchlen]

Laser projects 😊. Really enjoying, thanks!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

More to come! Thanks so much!

[@TheGordie21]

nice.. awesome video

[@thashoelady]

Laser projects. Great video

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@jharper74]

Laser projects - awesome!!!!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks so much!!

[@roblanham6047]

Laser Project!! Enjoyed!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@Zentient1]

Laser Projects. Nicely done!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much! It was a fun project, and now I can't wait for the next one.

[@dgoddard]

Laser projects. I'm a boomer, too, and this rock! Now we need the Sinclair Dino! ;-)

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Hahaha. Thanks!! How about Bob’s Big Boy Burgers? Maybe that was only a SoCal thing?

[@dgoddard]

@@VoeltnerWoodworkingThat would be great! But we called them Shoney's around these parts (SW Missouri).

[@witnessriders]

Laser Projects, Love it! Good work sir

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@Asher-yv1rh]

"Laser Projects" Amazing. I would of used walnut wood for the frame, but it came out Amazing!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Yeah, I was a bit pressed for time on this one but a walnut frame would have looked nice.

[@jeffvoeltner8575]

Great job, Matt!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks bro!

[@4legdfishman]

Laser projects... New subscriber here! Looks like it came out great! And I learned something! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Awesome! Thank you and welcome to the channel.

[@Frightknight28]

Laser Project: Awesome job!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@earlhicks8730]

Laser Project - Nice Work!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@justinbanks2380]

Laser Projects Very informative and fun project!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to more projects. Let me know if you have any ideas.

[@drewrodrigues]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing! 😄 Quick tip! If you make the back enclosure a bit deeper, point the led ring inwards and then add an opaque/frosted acrylic behind the top layer, it would diffuse the light better and you wouldn't see the LED ring. This way you can evenly distribute the light through the front face. Either way, cool piece! 🚀

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you. Yes, some others have commented the same and I've tried it after this video. Works great. Much appreciated and thanks for stopping by!

[@a91customs]

Cool video Matt, sign came out nice.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Buzz! I appreciate that.

[@cliffgeter1105]

Laser Projects...Looks great...

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Cliff!!

[@DanStone1025]

Nice work. That came out really nice. I recently made some nice multilayered edge lit, (with multiple colors), designs.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Such a fun medium to work with

[@SchnazzyVideo]

laser project - nice! love the sign

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! It came out way better than I expected.

[@howeydesign]

Laser Projects. Pretty nice...I have yet to try any acrylic on my laser...I have decent ventilation system, but...VERY COOL PROJECT!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Oh man, you’ve got to try it. Cuts so clean.

[@TheTimaffleck]

Laser Projects :) - With the 2 tone, try the engraving with zero or very little air assist. That should reduce the need for cleaning after.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I did that and it worked better but still had some cleanup with this stuff. Projects still came out great. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@joypatrick8057]

Laser projects. Nice project!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@omarsantiago3759]

awesome!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bentheredonethat9296]

I use white acrylic as a defuser for any type of LED lighting. You could have cut a slightly larger white acrylic interior ring that would cover the LED lights to defuse them.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you. Someone mentioned using opal as well. Looking forward to trying these tricks. Good ideas.

[@bearsstuff]

Laser Project. I have all the parts to build something like this. I hadn't thought the LEDs would do that. I think I'm gonna have to pick up that rope and mirrored acrylic. Also an excuse to buy a laser. To cut said acrylic. Thanks!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

It’s always a good day to get a new laser. 😂

[@dian3145]

Laser projects…what a great demo. I like you included fails (cause, don’t we all?) I don’t like the led hot spots, I will have to try the rope. Thanks!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. We definitely all fail for sure.

[@oseanmc]

I haven't done any acrylic yet but I use COB LED's to edge light my wood and epoxy projects. I had hotspot issued using the Fiet Smart LED's (Which I liked the smart control features) so I switched to using PARMIDA 24V Dimmable RGB COB LED to avoid the hotspots.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Oh nice. I’ll have to check that out.

[@treyjones424]

i LOVE ME SOME "LASER pROJECTS" BUT REALLY THE SIGN AND VIDEO WERE GREAT

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks dude! It was a fun project.

[@gaylejenkins4159]

Laser Project! Thanks for the tips! I am going to do my first kerf so hopefully you made all the mistakes for me😂

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Hahaha. There’s plenty of mistakes to be had.

[@lanygeldenhuys4982]

Great job.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@istayhighi1540]

Another thing you can do for the light is make a diffuser. Get some thin frosted acrylic and cut a rectangle that’s as wide as the strip and as long as you need for the circle. Then just place it overtop the LEDs on the inside and it should soften the light so you don’t have any hard spots.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Oh, that’s a great tip. I’ll try that on the next one. Thank you.

[@zapa1pnt]

Laser projects: Maybe you could have a rotating ball sign, by having a reflector box with a small "ish" ball rotating, on a horizontal axis, being magnified and projected, onto an angled mirror. Just like an old projection television. Think you could do it? 😁✌🖖

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Now that’s a cool idea!

[@j.justin1511]

Laser projects look really fun. New sub, great video. Love the subtle hashtag. :OP

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Hahaha. #IYKYK thanks for joining the channel! More to come.

[@rafaelmacaraeg6768]

Laser Projects... nice

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you so much!

[@janinelew2483]

Laser projects😊

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching!!

[@hbcountry495]

later projects. Cool sign! Thanks for sharing the process. I recently purchased 2-tone acrylic (not Trotec) and am needing to find the sweet spot for engraving it. Any advice is welcomed! I like the bag tags- that's what I'm working on now :) Keep the good work coming.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! I always recommending buying a little extra and testing the material to find the best setting for your laser since not all machines are equal. Glad it was inspirational. It’s a fun project.

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

New sub here… do you have any woodworking videos or maybe a shop tour for the near future? I love your tool wall in the background but your channel seems to be more oriented towards laser stuff vs “woodworking” like in the name of your channel. Not complaining but I would like to see more woodworking stuff or a tool wall/shop your 😂 Thanks for your time and your videos

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I had some earlier woodworking videos but they never got traction so I pivoted the channel and unlisted quite a few. I hope to be able to open the channel a bit going forward now that the channel has had some successful videos.

[@LarryClay]

Laser projects - Nice sign. If you use a layer of white acrylic in between the sign and lights you will get better diffusion.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks Larry! I’m going to have to try that. Very much appreciate that.

[@PaulNelson66]

​@VoeltnerWoodworking white is OK, but use opal is better diffuser. I used to do signages. I'm starting up my business doing the signs too. 😊

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

@paulwiltshire2800 awesome. Thanks for the tip.

[@LarryClay]

Thanks, I didn't know that. @@PaulNelson66

[@jayd9203]

Me likey laser projects. 😉

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Sweet! More to come. Thanks for watching.

[@itssurii]

For the leds to reflect the light proportionately across the circle, your frame thickness need to be at least 1inch. Instead of cutting the circles and gluing them you could bend a black/white strip of 1 inch in round shape.

[@bitboxbear1432]

Have you ever thought about putting a mirrored acrylic about 1" ring facing back toward the lights as a layer then putting the rest on top? I have never done this work before but it would hide the LEDs

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I actually tried using 2-way mirrored acrylic but it didn’t show through well enough. I ended up not including it in my video to keep the length down. Some others have commented about using white acrylic behind to mute the reflection and disperse the light. Looking forward to trying it. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👊🏼

[@murraygreen110]

Hi great sign, thanks for all the information. I just recently purchased the P2, it’s a good machine. But I am having problems engraving the Trotec two tone acrylic. I can’t get it to turn out nice like yours. Would you be able to tell me the settings you used. Thanks

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you. I’m sorry I don’t have the settings for this anymore. I always run a few tests on scrap material to dial everything in. What is the issue on yours?

[@GetRealwithMike]

laser projects. Okay, what thickness are you using? Where did you get the rope LED? Where did you get the acrylic? I want to try this at home. I custom built my laser cutter. 2 x 4 area with 20 watt output diode laser. I want to make the Miller beer witch sign and a Harley Davidson sign, and some of those old time garage signs like what you made. Well done. Try recessing the lights under the edge to hide the dots and cover the light strip with a diffused material, add the reflective to the back and you're set.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! Most all of the answers are in the video description with links if you’re interested. Those would be some fun signs!

[@Roy1271]

Laser Projects

[@GreasedUpBattleCow]

Did you use opaque or translucent acrylic? It looks like it's opaque in the video but I'm not positive.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

This stuff was opaque. The P2 can cut either.

[@GlowmaticBikes]

If you cut the circles at the same time they will 'weld' themselves together. Just look it up on youtube. Although 3 layers would have been a bit much

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Oh, interesting. I’ll check that out. Thanks.

[@josephKEOarthur]

Laser Projects :: 🎉 yep . made it. but yeah. what about the distance of x and y. where is the strongest and weakest wavelenth the laser hits/cuts? do you often clean your laser for maximum cleanliness and efficiency?

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Sweet. Thank you. The strongest is closest to the laser source, so top left would be the strongest but this laser doesn’t have any issues getting through the material. As long as the laser is focused right it will be good. It depends on materials you cut on how often you’ll need to clean the lens. Every month is a good rule of practice. Thanks for watching.

[@andypark6966]

Laser Projects ;)

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thank you! 👍

[@simonmaton]

Love your work. I would like to add a laser head to my existing CNC router to cut up to 3/4" plywood. Would you be able to recommend a brand/model/type/size please? I am aware of the speed limitations that my CNC router may have regarding laser work, but I'm only interested in cutting, not engraving etc. Many Thanks.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I recommend a dedicated laser engraver if you’re primarily cutting because of the work surface. A spoil board on a CNC is not going to be the best surface for cutting. The P2 or S1 are great machines by xTool. I have a few other videos on my channel with some other options. I hope they help.

[@simonmaton]

@@VoeltnerWoodworking I’m talking about a big industrial router here! Surely it makes no sense to purchase a complete new machine when I can put any surface I need on my existing table and simply add a laser head? Treat the laser like any other tool that can be changed!

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

@simonmaton it’s very doubtful you’ll be able to add an add on diode laser to cut 3/4” material. You’re going to want something like a Co2 laser for that. I’m sorry I don’t have a recommendation for an add on laser attachment that I would recommend.

[@niceboy761]

Can this cut metal and engraving it as we'll

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

For cutting metal you’ll need either a fiber laser or plasma cutter.

[@geauxracerx]

Extruded Acrylic doesn’t etch as well as Cast Acrylic. Cast is just much better choice for laser use

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I used cast for this.

[@geauxracerx]

@@VoeltnerWoodworking yes that’s indeed what you said in the video. I was just agreeing for those that were on the fence, so they didn’t waste their time and money with subpar results and even cracking that extruded will yeild

[@DerekSpeareDSD]

laser project: how do i get the image for the coffee guide? I have a 180w co2 laser and i want to burn it on a wood sign for my wife's coffee bar.

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

I believe this design was from DesignBundles.net. Great resource!

[@DIESELJUNKIES44]

Who did you use here in Houston?

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Links are in the description, but I used Houston Acrylics along with xTool materials.

[@henrymach]

How I would do the frame? Well, walnut...

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Hahaha. Someone had to say it. 😂

[@sblack48]

Can this be cut by a diode laser?

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

A diode laser will only be able to cut opaque dark acrylic so this sign couldn’t be done with a diode.

[@afbigfish1]

How/what did you use to secure the inset numbers in place?

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

By adjusting the kerf settings you don't need to secure them in place really, but you can use acrylic glue and it works pretty well.

[@afbigfish1]

@@VoeltnerWoodworking ok thanks i havent really messed with acrylic yet but I have a few ideas for some projects

[@frankgorbey2157]

Laser projects

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching

[@LS_Mk]

Laser Projects

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching! More to come.

[@thesquinty1]

Laser projects

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching!

[@chriswolfe8248]

Laser project

[@VoeltnerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching, Chris!