Laser Cutting Designs
Laser cutting is the fastest-growing craft and small business category — Etsy laser-cut products generate $500M+ annually. Whether you own a Glowforge, xTool, Epilog, or a budget K40, you need fresh designs constantly. StencilForge generates custom laser cutting designs with AI — describe what you want, download the SVG, and cut.
Generate a Laser Cutting Design
Describe any project → AI creates a clean SVG for your laser
Popular Laser Cutting Projects
Earrings & Jewelry
33K searches/moGeometric, floral, mandala, boho — laser-cut earrings are the #1 bestseller on Etsy's laser category. Cut from veneer, acrylic, or leather. Average sell price: $12-28.
Decorative Signs
27K searches/moWelcome signs, address plaques, family name signs, business logos. Wood or acrylic. Layer paint, stain, or leave natural. The classic laser project.
Ornaments
22K searches/moChristmas, birthday, memorial, pet. Thin plywood or acrylic ornaments sell year-round but spike 400% Oct-Dec. Personalization = premium pricing.
Box & Container Designs
18K searches/moKeepsake boxes, dice boxes, jewelry organizers. Living hinge designs, finger-joint construction. Flatpack shipping = low cost.
Cake Toppers
15K searches/moWedding, birthday, baby shower, graduation. Acrylic or birch plywood. Fast production (< 5 min cut), high margin ($15-45 retail for $0.50 material).
Coasters & Trivets
12K searches/moEngraved wood or cork coasters. City maps, monograms, patterns, company logos. Sets of 4-6 sell for $20-40.
Laser Cutter Compatibility
Glowforge (Basic/Plus/Pro)
40-45W CO2Materials: Wood, acrylic, leather, paper, fabric
Bed: 12×20.4 in
Cloud-based UI — upload SVG directly. Most beginner-friendly laser.
xTool D1 Pro
10W diodeMaterials: Wood, leather, paper, anodized metal
Bed: 16.9×15.7 in
Open-frame diode laser. Great value. Uses LightBurn or xTool software.
Epilog Zing / Fusion
30-120W CO2Materials: Wood, acrylic, glass, stone, metal marking
Bed: 12×24 to 48×36 in
Professional-grade. Used by makerspaces and production shops.
Full Spectrum Muse
40-45W CO2Materials: Wood, acrylic, leather, fabric
Bed: 20×12 in
Enclosed CO2 with camera alignment. Good mid-range option.
K40 / Chinese CO2
40W CO2Materials: Wood, acrylic, leather
Bed: 8×12 in (stock)
Budget option ($300-500). Requires upgrades (air assist, bed, exhaust). Use LightBurn.
Material Settings Guide
| Material | Cut | Engrave | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm Birch Plywood | Full power, 1 pass | 15-25% power, high speed | Sand 220 grit → stain or clear coat |
| 3mm Acrylic (cast) | Full power, 1 pass | 20-30% power, medium speed | Peel masking after cut. Frost with fine sandpaper for contrast. |
| Vegetable-Tanned Leather | 60-80% power, 1 pass | 10-20% power, high speed | Leather conditioner after engraving. Edge burnish. |
| Basswood (1/8") | Full power, 1 pass | 12-20% power, high speed | Ultra-clean cuts. Best for ornaments and earrings. |
| Cork Sheet (3mm) | 40-60% power, 1 pass | 8-15% power, high speed | Self-finishing. Seal with clear matte spray for coasters. |
Laser Cutting Pro Tips
Always Use Masking Tape
Apply painter's tape or transfer tape before cutting/engraving wood and acrylic. Prevents smoke staining and flashback marks. Remove after cutting.
Air Assist is Essential
A small air compressor blowing at the cut point prevents flames, reduces char, and clears debris. Most important upgrade for any laser. $30-50.
Test on Scraps First
Every material batch is slightly different. Run a small test square to dial in power/speed before committing to an expensive piece of material.
Design with Kerf in Mind
The laser beam removes 0.1-0.3mm of material (the 'kerf'). For press-fit joints, offset your design by half the kerf width. Measure with calipers.
Fresh Designs, Unlimited Ideas
3 free SVG designs per day. Compatible with all laser cutters.
Generate Laser Design →