TABL E OF CON TENT S
Cover Story: Alex Sellite: And Now For Something 12345Completely Different What Art Teaches Us About Life and Business: 12345An Art Therapist’s Perspective 12345 By Missa Braund-Allen, Designs byMissa
"But I'm Not a Photographer..."
12345 By Tara Flannery, Tara Flannery Photography
Freaking Laser Beams
12345Jeff Stockton, Upstate Laser Engraving, LLC
Tips and Tricks
Recurring Columns
Business 101: Your Laser Activity: Hobby or Business? 12345Susan Barney, CPA, MST, SD BarneyCPA, Inc. Design: Learning How to Design: Yes! Even You Can Do It! 12345Crystal Aguila, Riley Black Designs Maintenance: Things Your Laser Wishes You Knew... 12345Summer Shigley, The Spotless Forge Materials - Acrylic: 6 Simple Low-Budget Projects 12345Amanda Leavitt, Cerulean Tides Materials - Wood: What Wood and When 12345Braden Todd, GS2 Awards Marketing Corner: Promote Designs (or Anything) For Free Using Facebook 12345Matt Rise, Talk Laser
Shopping & Classifieds Robin Roberts, Editor & Publisher Laser Focused Magazine, Spring, Texas www.LaserFocusedMagazine.com. Info@LaserFocusedMagazine.com
Hello fellow Laser Users!
EDITOR'S NOTE
Happy New Year It's a new year with new opportunities and perspectives so we jump into something completely different in this issue with our spectacular cover guest, Alex Sellite of Laser Everything! Alex is our first 'toes into the water' in the world of galvo and fiber lasers. He has a staggering depth and breadth of knowledge and puts it out there for free through his various channels for all to access. Generous is an understatement. Read his story: how he got started with Laser Everything, where the business is heading, and the benefits to you as a laser maker/creator/user, no matter what laser you have. He is a treasure in our laser world. Please read here and then check out Laser Everything on YouTube and Laser Source, the podcast, if you haven't already. You will find a lot of knowledge waiting for you there!
With the frenzy of Christmas behind us, I encourage you to take some time for yourself by settling in and reading this issue of Laser Focused. There's a lot to learn here – whether you want to improve your photography or design skills, get your feet wet with acrylic, explore fiber lasers, or bump your marketing into high gear (and so much more), there is something for you. We have a talented group of contributors who have taken the time to share their expertise. I am unendingly grateful for them all!
You might notice a difference in the publication of this issue of the magazine. We have switched to a new platform, ISSUU. One of the great benefits is that you can watch the linked videos within the magazine! You no longer get bounced out to open (yet) another tab; you can watch and then pick up where you left off in the magazine. Please support our advertisers. They are supporting getting this information out to the community and are offering some nice discounts! They believe in the mission so give 'em some love, please! Finally, I appreciate the support and feedback from so many of you! Laser Focused is a labor of love, and I am grateful that you help keep the tank full with kind words. You'll soon be asked to do a survey so we can understand our audience better and create great content that keeps you coming back. Also, look for merch and other ways to support this free magazine coming soon! Laser On!!
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n i b o R
Robin Roberts, Editor & Publisher
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Leavitt Cerulean Tides Laser Supplies
Braden Todd GS2 Supplies
Susan Barney,CPA SD Barney CPA, Inc
Tara Flannery, CPP Tara Flannery Photography, LLC
Crystal Aguila Riley Black Designs
Become a guest contributor and share your expertise with our readers. Contact us by clicking HERE
Matt Rise Talk Laser
Jeff Stockton Upstate Laser Engraving, LLC
Summer Shigley, The Spotless Forge Time2Travel
Missa Braund-Allen Designs byMissa
Become an advertiser and get in front of our readers. Contact us by clicking HERE
THE START OF LASERS A Brief History The first laser was developed in 1960 by a team of scientists at Bell Labs, consisting of Gordon Gould, Charles Townes, and Arthur Schawlow. The team was working on developing a new form of light amplification, and they ultimately came up with the idea of using a process called "stimulated emission" to create a highly focused and intense beam of light. The first laser was built using a process called "optical pumping," which involved shining a bright light onto a rod of a special material called a laser medium." The light would excite the atoms within the rod, causing them to release photons, stimulating other atoms to release more photons. This process would continue, amplifying the light and creating a highly focused and intense beam of light. The first laser was built using a medium of ruby, and it was able to produce a beam of red light with a wavelength of 694.3 nanometers. This first laser was not very powerful and had a very low efficiency, but it produced a beam of light that was highly focused and intense. The development of the first laser had a profound impact on many fields, including telecommunications, medicine, and manufacturing. It opened up new possibilities for precision cutting, welding, and drilling, and it also paved the way for new technologies such as optical fibers and barcode scanners. And us!! Now you know!
I can be seen in the dark, but I don't make a sound. I can be used to cut and engrave, but also to treat medical conditions. What am I? A Laser, of course!
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TIPS AND
Tips from other laser professionals
When lasering whiteboard prior to removing cut pieces from honeycomb tray, simply spray your rag with glass cleaner and clean your pieces before removal. Makes for easy cleanup, especially if you didn’t mask your material. Laura Kubik
One trick I tell everyone using a living hinge - to keep it from snapping after cutting is to wet th wood a little, then fold it as needed Once wet, just set something a littl heavy on it, so it dries in that position. Johana Ovalle
Did You Know... Cleaning the glass laser tube itself is not necessary in order for it to work properly. But if you must, use a Tub O Towels towel, followed by a slightly damp microfiber towel to clean the reachable parts of the tube. If you absolutely feel like you have to clean under the tube, use Tub O Towels and a weeding tool to gently guide it under the tube. Gently pull the cloth through to clean the debris and then wait several hours before using your machine. Summer Shigley Your link to purchase Tub O Towels on Amazon* Your link to purchase a weeding tool on Amazon*
When of a m a lintwipe y apply mater will ch
D TRICKS
- if you have one, submit it HERE
e d. le
Gorilla Duct Tape is the go-to for removing masking from highly detailed pieces. Simply apply to finished piece that still has masking in all the small places and carefully pull up. It will tke most of the masking off, if not all!
cleaning charr and more off material - apply the cleaner to -free cleaning cloth and THEN your material. It is best not to the cleaner directly to the rial if you don't know how/if it hange the finish.
Submit your favorite tip here!!
Take some printer paper (I use colors that are impossible to print on) and put it on the crumb tray. Then, place your material on top of that. This will lessen the flashback on the back without having to mask and peel! Robin Roberts
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ALEX SELLITE of Laser Everything
And Now For Something Completely Different... It was on a lark, really. One day, fighting boredom, Alex Sellite made a video. It was simple, he was just demonstrating the marking of a piece of gold jewelry. This is something he was doing in his brick-and-mortar business on a daily basis. He didn't have an online store; he didn't even have an online presence! He just thought it would be a cool video to put up.
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ALEX SELLITE Completely Different
Fast forward to a year later. Again, out of boredom, Alex thought he'd check on that video he had made ages ago. What he found changed his life's trajectory... it had over 70,000 views. He instantly realized there was a vacuum in the laser world for technical, comprehensible information, specifically regarding galvo lasers. When Alex and his wife discovered this need, they decided to close their store and launch Laser Everything - and so it began.
in Miranda (Mrs. LaserEverything) but a genuine love and partnership that has enabled Laser Everything to become the thriving source of information it is today.
Alex credits his wife, Miranda, as being the backbone of their success. After connecting on OkCupid, the two became smitten and went on to marry and later launched this business that has exploded the amount of information available online about lasers and laser engraving. Miranda serves as both Alex's advisor and safety net, managing tasks that allow Alex to focus on creating content without worrying about any potential pitfalls.
The Laser Everything/Laser Source studio is at the house, and there is never a dull moment. The home and work life blend into a flow of recording, kids, streaming, pets, cleaning, editing, cooking... life! It's full, happy, and busy, and they wouldn't want it any other way.
Together they created a business model that has provided tremendous success and allowed them to grow their family, now with two children and a third on the way. It's clear that Alex has found not only a business associate
The success of Laser Everything is a testament to the importance of education and understanding the technology behind machines, especially when it comes to laser marking. By focusing on user education, Alex is helping make the capabilities of lasers more accessible to people from all backgrounds and skill levels, opening up a world of possibilities.
As we talked, Alex pointed out that as lasers become more complex, having a good
Videos INTRODUCTION
How It Began
Miranda & The Family
understanding of how they work and what they can do is key. It can be challenging for anyone not technically oriented to understand all the details of how different lasers work. That's why Laser Everything strives to make this technology more user-friendly by translating complicated concepts into simple and understandable terms. This not only helps with basic upkeep, but with understanding comes new vision, opening the possibility of new opportunities. Alex's goal is to help give his listeners a better understanding of lasers and what to do to get specific results. The benefit to those of us who consider ourselves more creative than techie is we gain knowledge. Knowing the nitty-gritty technology details gives us more power, letting us elevate projects by knowing how to manipulate our lasers more effectively and efficiently. Alex also pointed out that knowing the technology can help users troubleshoot problems quickly and save them from costly repairs. While we were talking about the benefits of tuning in to Laser Everything, I asked Alex about the demographics of his channel, especially when it comes to how many women are tuning in. He shared that the female audience is growing – up from 2% to 8*. He's
hoping the trend will continue and shares that it is a basic tenant of the business that everyone is welcome and included. Yes, it often has a masculine vibe, but the learning is there for everyone, all the time. He went on to say that often his women subscribers are running with the information and bringing some incredible out-of-the-box ideas and results to the table. Check out the video below to hear more. If you like free stuff, (and who doesn't?), know that all of the content created by Laser Every-
thing and Laser Source is free on their Discord, Facebook, and YouTube channels. Alex hates paywalls and refuses to hide 'the good stuff' behind one. He believes strongly in the power of education and wants to ensure everyone has access, regardless of their financial situation. His main goal is to help empower people by giving them the tools they need to become successful in laser engraving. It turns out that, even though it is all out there for the finding, people who are fans and love what Alex and the team are doing wanted to support Laser Everything/Laser Source in a more tangible way. The Laser Master Academy grew out of this desire for the fans to support the endeavor. Subscribers get access to the Laser Master Academy website, which has the continued on next page...
Business Profile
Why Watch LE?
Women in the Community Home
ALEX SELLITE
Completely Different...cont'd
content available but in a more organized fashion. For eight dollars a month, subscribers also access extra rewards like bonus podcast episodes and live streams. For those who want to show additional support, a twenty-five dollar monthly subscription is available, which gets the subscriber's name added to the end of Laser Everything's current videos. And there are ALOT of names at the end of the videos! Currently there are over 2600 subscribers. in the Academy. It's clear that people find value in the content that Alex and his team create! Speaking of the team, or 'The Nerd Crew' as Alex sometimes refers to them; he's got an all-star group of folks who are working hard to make Laser Everything as successful as possible! Many have come from the subscriber base itself. Kyle was the first to join, and he is, as Alex puts it, 'My Clone. My second me.' He understands Alex's vision for the channel and helps create content. Then there's Boyce - an expert in podcasting and social A favorite episode!! media - who takes UV lasers put to the test! care of the online presence.
Amanda, the only one who didn't come from the Laser Everything community, is the web developer, building up the tech infrastructure that lets them connect with more and more people. In addition to this core, on any given week you may also see Jimmy, Matt, and/or Michael. So now Alex has a team he can trust to help with all the hard work of creating awesome content and expanding the Laser Everything community.
Videos The Team
The Marketplace
Las Sou Pod
ser urce dcast
But Alex is not done there! Laser Everything is about to take another giant step forward. They're launching an online marketplace so that customers can find all sorts of cool stuff from vetted small makers and industry leaders. Have a jig people need? Parts? Designs? Class? Equipment? These are just some of the offerings expected to be available to laser users in the space. With this marketplace, customers will be able to buy high-quality products in a safe environment. Laser Everything's mission is to be the go-to for anyone curious about laser engraving and make it easy to get all the necessary tools and materials. Amanda and the development team are working their hardest to make this happen - so stay tuned! As always, I asked Alex about what advice he has received in business and in life that has guided him along the way. He shared these wise words from his mentor Michael Mullins: "If you don't value your time, no one else is going to." Those words have really stayed with Alex, helping him make decisions in business. He emphasizes the importance of not selling yourself short - if you do, people may start expecting too much without giving anything back in return. In life, it is to be present in the moments. “Step outside in the rain for 5 minutes and really be there.” For Alex, whether spending quality time with family or pushing ahead on a project, he always looks for ways to get the most out of life. Life is short and take in as much as you can, make every moment count!
Business Advice
Life Advice Home
ALEX - ANSWE FUNDAMENTAL GALVO
Videos
Honestly, I attempted to put into writing what Alex all very understandable, watch these bite-size
What's a Galvo?
Galvo Speed
Fiber Lasers
Marking vs Engraving
RING SOME O/FIBER QUESTIONS
said, but he was so clear and concise, and made it e explanations, masterfully delivered! - Robin
Material Size
Galvo & Gantry Together
Rotary & Galvo
Galvo Timing
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Busine
CONTRIBUTORS: Susan Barney,
Your Laser Activity: It’s the beginning of a new year. It’s time to make New Year resolutions: eat healthy, exercise more frequently, spend more time with family and friends. Many people pursue their dreams of making more money by starting a new business. It’s very easy to start a business. All you need is an idea for a product and a few dollars to buy some materials and equipment. But this also describes a hobby. What is the difference between a hobby and a business? The difference starts with your mindset. A hobby is motivated primarily by recreation and relaxation. A business is motivated primarily by profit. Both a hobby and a business can produce income. Whether the income is from a hobby or a business, it must be reported on your tax return. Income received from a hobby is reported as other miscellaneous income not subject to self-employment tax. The income is allowed to be reduced by direct expenses used to produce the income known as cost of goods sold. However, no general or overhead expenses are allowed to reduce the income that you make from a hobby. Examples of general and overhead expenses are rent for a studio or workshop, office supplies such as paper, pens and pencils, and telephone and internet expenses. You are taxed on the net income from the hobby, the income from the sales less the cost to produce the products sold. Income received from a business, on the other hand, is reported differently on your tax
return. A business owner that is not incorporated will report business income on a Schedule C. You will report income received from sales, the cost of the products sold, and general and overhead expenses necessary to run the business. If the net of the sales less the expenses is positive, the net income will be subject to both income tax and selfemployment taxes. The Internal Revenue Service offers some guidance on determining whether an activity is a hobby or a business: A business must maintain complete and accurate books and records. The books are a reporting of the business’s assets, liabilities, owner’s equity, income, and expenses. Assets are property that the business owns such as cash in a bank account, lasers, computers and other equipment used in the business and liabilities are amounts that the business owes to others such as a credit card company. Owner’s equity is the amount of the assets reduced by the liabilities of the business. The income is the sales from the business and the expenses are the costs to produce the products of the business and general and overhead expenses. The time and effort that you spend on the activity must reflect your intention to make it a profitable business. Some people spend a lot of time on hobbies that fulfill their creative passions, but the intent of the activity is still to provide them with personal pleasure and relaxation. People that run a business must think about the satisfaction of their customers. They must
ss 101
CPA, SD BarneyCPA, Inc.
Hobby or Business? produce their products at a minimal cost. The more time they put into their business the more income is expected. The income of your business supports your family’s household expenses. A family’s household expenses are usually covered by income from either part-time or full-time employmeant. The amount of the income is earned on a weekly or monthly basis. A business owner plans and budgets for income that they expect to make so they can contribute to their family’s support. The income received from a hobby is usually supplemental to a family’s household income as a hobby is usually done on a person’s free time. You have specific knowledge to carry on the activity as a successful business. A business owner must have either the education or skills in the industry prior to starting the business. The cost of a college degree or trade school is not deductible as a business expense. However, you will continue to learn as your business grows. The cost of seminars and books to bring your knowledge current are tax deductible as business expenses. An activity is more likely to be considered a business if you made a profit in similar activities in the past. Every business owner must start with their first business. But many business owners go on to expand their businesses into different product lines or start new businesses. The element of profit acts as an incentive to grow.
A business loss is not due to your efforts. Sometimes, irrespective of how much you work, you may suffer a loss instead of making a profit. You may lose a particular sales market. The cost of materials may increase, and you are unable to raise the price of your product. The economy may be challenging, and your customers have less income to buy your product. All successful business owners suffer losses, but the losses are temporary. You take what you have learned and accomplished and continue the success. It’s important to classify your activity accurately as a hobby or business. But, it is equally important to understand that the activity may change over time. An activity may start as a hobby and develop into a business or a business owner may decide that recreation and relaxation is the priority and change the classification of the activity to hobby.
Susan Barney, CPA is the principal of SD Barney CPA, Inc. (281) 894-8686, 12115 Jones Road Houston, TX 77070. We provide business consulting, tax preparation, QuickBooks training and bookkeeping services.
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What Art Teaches Us About Life & Business: An Art Therapist’s Perspective By Missa Braund-Allen Imagine for a minute that you have just decided to try a new painting technique on a laser item. The technique is not one you have attempted before, but you figure you can manage it. You gather the supplies and dive in. Soon you realize it does not resemble what you had imagined. Frustration washes over you, along with thoughts like “This should have been easy” and “I wasted all this time and material.” You quickly conclude “I can’t paint. It is not for me. I hate it,” and you halt work on any project that requires painting.
Now let’s shift to laser cut settings. You want to cut a new material; you take your best guess at the settings and let it burn. Unfortunately, the material does not cut through. Do you immediately determine you are a terrible laser operator? Do you resolve to pack up your machine and sell it that night on eBay? Or, do you move past the mild pang of defeat, adjust your settings, and test again? My guess is that you reconfigure and retry. So, why don’t the same principles apply to artistry as they do to technical skill? Well, I think they should. We, as a culture, have a fairly dynamic relationship with art. While painting and drawing may be freeing and fun for some, it is often riddled with self-consciousness and frustration for others. Although many may not consider themselves “artists,” the laser industry relies heavily on products that are finished artfully. In talking to laser users, I’ve encountered a large number frustrated with the “art” part of our craft. The community groups are full of posts asking “Show me your top sellers that require NO painting or minimal finishing.” However, if we allow it, art has much to teach us about both the making and the business aspects of our work, and a little about life, too.
Develop a Working Relationship with Failure To make art is to fail constantly. Failure is an essential part of the artistic growth process. The same is true for business. Failure is often seen as the enemy, but fear is the true problem. Failure is just a tool, a process by which new information is discovered. The information or data simply await integration and for processes to be revised accordingly. The fear is what failure must mean about us or about our inherent ability to accomplish a goal. The true fear is the “I’m not cut out for this” and the “I [as a person] am a failure.” Art and any skill worth developing require that we risk discomfort and engage fully with failure and all it has to teach us. Mindset Is Key Early art education focuses on learning to color within the lines and developing an idea of what “good” art must look like. For children, art often emphasizes solely the expressive process of play; but for adults, art centers more on a masterfully executed end product. Here, prejudgment, stress, and the inner critic can stifle creativity, productivity, and innovation in art, business, and also life. Art reminds us that a mindset rooted in nonjudgment, curiosity, and play replaces the belief “you won’t get it right anyway” with the “I wonder what would happen if….” At the end of the day, the intensity and pressure we feel over an outcome directly correlates to the intensity and pressure we feel to create good work. Skills can be learned, but a strong desire to do really good work is fundamental to success.
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Perfection Is a Myth Nothing and no one is perfect. Art is subjective, as is perfection. I’m not saying we should be selling sloppy products. I firmly believe that it is necessary to finish items well. I do think, however, the goal should be to create items, to engage in business, and to live with intention, enquiry, and attention to detail. After all, perfection is limited by what can be imagined. Removing the pressure of perfectionism releases curiosity and creativity, allowing the opportunity for unimaginable achievement.
Expertise Takes Investment I don’t deny there are those with natural creative skill and also, art is a craft that is practiced and forged through desire, diligence, and repetition. To improve artistically, an investment of time, energy, and money is necessary. Business is no different. If we want to set ourselves apart, grow our expertise, and excel, we must invest in and expand ourselves. We must educate ourselves, apply that knowledge in real life, fail, waste materials and time, pivot, reeducate, and try again. Only through this process is expertise developed and excellence achieved.
Let Go Art is often messy and uncontrollable. Personal creativity, business, and life naturally ebb and flow, often in unpredictable and challenging ways. There needs to be some sort of developed tolerance for chaos, discomfort, and the unknown. Art reminds us that not everything can be controlled and that perspective is refreshed by taking a break and walking away. When we let go, we are better able to take notice of needed opportunities to pivot, reroute, and invest our energy more effectively.
Prioritize Felt Experiences and Relationship Impactful art elicits meaningful memories and feelings in the viewer. Emotional impact and relationship are similarly valuable assets in business. Successful connections with our customers are largely rooted in the strong, authentic relationships we build with them, forging loyalty, trust, and positive regard. The products we choose to sell, additionally, have the capacity to resonate with our customers in deep and meaningful ways. Neither should be taken for granted.
Practicing the Lessons of Art When we run our businesses intentionally— engaged fully in the teachings of failure and growth —we have the ability to elevate beyond the imaginable. The more the mind is free to explore, experience, and create without the hindrance of judgment, the more it is bound to discover, connect, and innovate. Even if you stay true to your vow to never paint again, the lessons of art allow us to operate in business and in life in a more connected, curious, and invested way.
Missa Braund-Allen is an avid entrepreneur and laser enthusiast. Missa owns and operates several small businesses, including Laser Designs byMissa, her well-established design shop for laser-ready files. She is passionate about bringing her background in art making as an Art Therapist to her laser work; encouraging others to incorporate new art materials and mediums into their laser projects. Etsy: www.bymissa.net, Facebook Community: Laser Designs byMissa Home
FREAKING LASER BEAMS Today's technologies are unbelievable, to say the least! Lasers are no exception. If you are in the market for a fiber laser or want to know more about them, then I am here to help. There are many questions and decisions for you to evaluate before any laser purchase, and I hope I can help a little. One thing is for sure… We all need more fiber in our diet….. [Dad Joke...] There are a few different types of laser sources. CO2 is probably the most commonly used. Diode lasers are a close second, and finally, there are the fiber and UV lasers. I can tell you from owning and operating a shop with seven fiber lasers that it is a fast-paced and highly competitive industry. There is no telling what you will be asked to engrave. I have engraved a plethora of items like coins, watches, knives, firearms, stethoscopes, turbine engine retaining rings for GE, sauce cups for Buffalo Wild Wings, duck calls... the list goes on and on!
One of the first and major differences between the fiber and CO2 Lasers is the wavelength of light each emits. CO2 lasers use a higher wavelength of light than a fiber laser (10.6 vs 1.06 micromillimeters). This difference in wavelength is what determines the effectiveness of the laser on various objects. For example, glass is done well with a CO2 laser. A fiber laser will not easily mark/etch/engrave glass. It can be done - there are tricks that can be used - but it is a process for sure. Here's the simple-to-remember strategy I use for determining which laser is best suited for what job: “If it used to breathe, then use the CO2; if it didn’t breathe, then the fiber will work better.” (As an aside, you might say, how did glass breathe? Well, glass is made from sand, and sand is made from, among other things, marine organisms that utilize the oxygen from the water; hence, it used to breathe! Use that in the next trivia game you play!!) Another distinct difference between fiber and CO2 lasers is the ability to share settings. On a CO2, or Glowforge-type laser, you have many settings that will directly transfer to other CO2 lasers of the same type and model. Meaning if I have a Glowforge Pro and you also have a Glowforge Pro, then we can most likely help each other with settings and such. In the fiber laser scene, perhaps we both have a 30w Raycus source fiber laser; we can not help each as much due to the variations in the machines themselves. By way of example, I have two identical 50w fiber lasers,
Fiber vs CO2 Here's the simple-toremember strategy I use for determining which laser is best suited for what job: “If it used to breathe, then use the CO2; if it didn’t breathe, then the fiber will work better.”
Fiber Lasers continued.....
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Fiber Lasers continued here...... and they do not use the same settings for the same items. It's crazy because I also have two 60w CO2 lasers, on which the identical settings work on each laser without variation. Another significant difference between most CO2 lasers and galvo lasers is the software. Most galvo lasers operate on some form of software called EZCAD. This software leaves a lot to be desired and has a long way to go before it's bulletproof. Another software that has been released over the last year is Lightburn for galvo lasers. This new option is much easier and more effective to use when driving the galvo lasers. Lightburn has already been a powerhouse in many markets, and with the new Lightburn for galvo lasers software being available, it brings many things to the game that were lacking within EZCAD.
I have been training and coaching in the fiber world for years now and have met some amazing people that I otherwise would have never met, and for that, I am grateful. I hope this is only the first of many fiber-related articles that I will be sharing in Laser Focused. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to doing it again!!
Jeff Stockton is the proud owner and operator of the BlankBank and Upstate Laser Engraving. In addition to building and selling custom fiber lasers, he also has custom laser-engraved firearms, offers laser coaching, and consultations, as well as supplying blanks. YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Sweet Laser Blanks.
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MATERIALS
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Aman
Getting Acquainted with Acrylic Being a new laser owner, it’s easy to find yourself flooded with ideas and inspiration, yet the time may not be there, and money certainly does not grow on trees. After three years of working with my lasers and various types of materials, such as wood, leather, tile, cutting boards, rubber, silicone, metal blanks, and more…I have found peace in the colorful world of acrylic. I have found that in every design where acrylic is utilized, it offers effortless beauty and is overall very easy to work with. Check out these five projects I’ve found to be simple and wallet-friendly. KEYCHAINS Not only can these be fun for all ages, but keychains can be made for every occasion, from personal gifting to business marketing purposes. The first real design I created using my laser back in 2019 was a keychain for a long-time friend. She was working in the kitchen of a restaurant at the time but dreamt of opening her own restaurant one day. So, I engraved that name on a heart-shaped acrylic-cut, fastened keychain hardware to it and offered it to her as everyday inspiration to keep chasing her dreams. It was so tiny, yet so meaningful for the both of us. When looking at the numbers, it cost me less than $5.00 in materials to make, and we did it together while hanging out at my house.
Tip: Keychains can get jostled around often, so be sure to choose a thicker acrylic for added durability and use Novus products to keep materials looking like new. *Reverse engraving is when you flip your artwork in your design program to engrave the design on the backside of the acrylic. This method results in a smooth “face” and often associated with transparent and mirrored acrylic styles. EARRINGS Although not everyone wears 112312311earrings, those who like to 11231231 accessorize will want earrings in 11231231 every color and every style! You 11231231 can develop your own jewelry 1231231 line or make custom pairs by 123123111request. Just as with keychains, depending on the size and style of acrylic chosen, for relatively low output, you have the potential to make a nice return. For example, you can nest at least 12 large pairs of earrings on a sheet that costs you less than $10.00, or if you prefer stud earrings, you can make 500 pairs+ on one acrylic sheet.
Simple style: Reverse engrave* a transparent style of acrylic in ¼” thickness.
When learning how to make earrings a few years back, a friend and fellow laser owner taught me how to incorporate resin into the negative areas of my earring design. We had fun mixing mica powders and creating truly unique pieces. A fun fact is that she paid her laser off in three months from just selling earrings alone!
Jazz it up: Reverse engrave mirrored acrylic and add a second acrylic color/layer as the backing.
Simple style: Laser-cut an earring design on 1/16” or 1/8” acrylic and add necessary hardware.
: ACRYLIC da Leavitt, Cerulean Tides
: 6 Simple Low-Budget Projects Jazz it up: Create more stylish looks by adding other acrylic-cuts, crystals, beads, metal, and more with jump rings.
Tip: Be sure to engrave, score, or cut a design from the top surface of your coaster for function.
Tip: Use tools for working with jump rings and other hardware to cut down your processing time.
ORNAMENTS
COASTERS Every home and office setting needs coasters, so they make a great gift. You can create a set in a minute, too! I was curious how it would look if I added a vinyl decal, glitter, and resin to acrylic, so I tested out my idea on a coaster. I lasercut a circle and proceeded to add the vinyl decal and glittered-resin to the underside of the coaster. When the time came to test out the coaster, it was beautiful, however the condensation made the cup slide right off. I had a major design flaw from the beginning since the top surface was left alone to see through to the design on the bottom. Simple style: Laser-cut four squares or circles with a pattern/design cutout. Present a set of four wrapped in ribbon for easy gifting. Jazz it up: You can make a coaster holder/display case to really kick it up a notch. Cork can also be adhered to the bottom of your coasters for increased absorption and surface protection.
Although ornaments are 12345678912345typically associated with 12345678912345the holidays, these little 12345678912345beauties sell yearround 12345678912345to celebrate life’s 12345678912345special moments. Simple style: Choose any one style of acrylic and personalize it with a name, date, or design. Add ribbon or twine for the finishing touch. Jazz it up: You can layer acrylic in a way that creates a hollow space in the middle to allow for adding decorative pieces inside. Seal the last solid acrylic layer to close your ornament, add ribbon or twine, and shake away. Tip: You can create a laser-cut display to go along with the ornament, so even when the holidays are over, they can be displayed anywhere. CAKE TOPPERS Cakes are a staple at every celebration. What better way to top things off than with a beautiful custom cake display? A bonus to creating cake toppers, is that if you score a line at the uppermost part of the stake, it can be easily snapped and kept in a scrapbook or displayed in a shadowbox. Continued on next page...
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Acrylic continued here...... Simple style: Choose any style of acrylic (usually for a name, number, or reason for celebration) and add the design and stake. I tend to keep the stick 0.2” wide, and the length should be determined by the cake size/height. Jazz it up: Layer glitter or mirror acrylic with adhesive to add an extra glamorous touch. Tip: Clear acrylic has been FDA-tested and approved. If you have any concerns with using any colored acrylic, just make the stick part and base of the design with clear acrylic and use colors for the displayed design. If that is not an option, you can use a straw or saran wrap to prevent the acrylic from touching the food. Whether you’re creating for personal fulfillment or well on your way to growing a handmade business, I hope you found some inspiration in this article to create and connect with designs and materials that move you. FRAMES Ready to challenge yourself with a new design? Create a layered acrylic photo frame. Happy creating, laser family!
Amanda Leavitt is the owner and founder of Cerulean Tides specializing in acrylic sheet supplies, 3M tape, paper masking, standoffs, and more. Find out more about their colors selections & services by following @ceruleantidesdesigns on Facebook and Instagram.
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MARKETING GUEST CONTRIBUTOR:
Promote Designs (or anythin In the previous issue of Laser Focused, you learned how to start selling laser designs on popular digital marketplaces. Hopefully your shop is up and running. If so, you are ready for the next step. Marketing! As a new shop owner, it can be difficult to reach potential customers without an established audience. It takes time to grow social media and build your brand. But there is a shortcut. Use someone else’s channel. This happens all the time. For example, you could write a guest blog post or work with a social media influencer. But there is even a faster way: Facebook groups.
Facebook groups are typically private groups of people who are interested in the same topic. They work just like your personal Facebook page but instead of sharing posts to your “Facebook friends” you share them to the group. You create posts for the group and members can comment, like, share, and click on links. Facebook groups are very popular in the crafting community and they can also be large. Some groups grow well over 100,000 members! If you share your designs in these groups, you can easily reach thousands of customers daily. It’s free, easy, and fast.
Finding Facebook Groups Joining groups is easy. Head over to Facebook groups. Search for “laser cutting”, “Glowforge”, or other related keywords. You will get an overwhelming amount of groups to join. If the group is private, you will have to “apply” to become a member. Just answer a few questions and submit your request. You will be notified once your application is approved.
Example: GROUP SEARCH
Join as many groups as you like. Start with groups that have 10,000 or more members. Don’t be afraid to join groups that say “Beginners” or “Advice” groups. These groups are filled with laser customers who are looking for designs. A word of caution: Groups often allow some marketing, but most have “no spamming” rules, while some don’t allow
G CORNER Matt Rise, Talk Laser
g) For Free Using Facebook any self-promotions. Rules are easy to check. Just head over to the community rules and see if there is anything about marketing or selling. It’s usually safe if you see others posting links to their designs.
Example: RULES
comments, always acknowledge their contribution, "Thanks", "Wow, great observation!", or whatever is appropriate. Remember, people always appreciate being 'seen' and have time for people who make them feel that way. Only after posting something non-salesy and getting responses should you begin to consider posting your designs. Will this take time? Yes. But remember the old adage – people buy from people they know, like, and trust. Help the community get to know, like, and trust you, and then your time will be well spent and your future posts well received.
PRO TIP Now that you are a member of these new groups the first thing you need to do is become part of the community. Even if they allow you to post your designs, don't start there! There is no faster way to turn people off than by promoting your products and services from the get-go without contributing to the community first. Then how should you start? Begin by reading through the current posts and commence commenting. If you can answer the question, answer it. If you have something relatable to their post, say it. Compliment that great project that someone just posted! Don't be stingy with your input, but do be appropriate! Create your own posts with questions or observations. Then, when someone
Make a spreadsheet with each group you join. Copy the link, name, and note if they allow sharing links to sell designs.
How To Start Marketing in Groups Once you have joined multiple groups, checked the rules, and established yourself as a member of the community, you are ready to start sharing your shop links. Continued on next page... Home
Marketing continued here...... Create the text for your post and select the best images to include in your promotion. Keep the copy short and simple. No need to change the text for each group. However, It is a good idea to stagger your post across multiple days. Not everyone is on Facebook at the same time, and you want to cast a wide net. Another word of caution, limit the number of posts you make in a day across multiple groups. If you try and post too many links to your shop within a short time frame, Facebook may flag you as a spammer and suspend you from posting to groups. (Your groups may also start to skip over your posts as they perceive that you are all about selling them something, not being a member of the community!) Try posting no more than 20 links per day. Your mileage may vary but this is a good rule of thumb to get started. Make this a routine until you have shared your design with all your groups. After sharing your design, you should also browse your groups regularly looking for design requests. Customers ask for designs all the time. All you have to do is post the link. Again, check to make sure it is allowed in the group. Do not ignore the power of Facebook groups for marketing purposes! For whatever reason, groups are the place where crafty folks gather online. They are a goldmine for driving traffic to your shop. All major designers are active in multiple Facebook groups. Get involved in them ASAP! Starting Your Own Group Once you’ve gotten a feel for how marketing works in Facebook groups, it's time to create your own group. You may already have a Facebook page for your business. While your page should be used to announce new products, give updates, and share promotions, your group is where your community will gather.
This may sound counterintuitive, but you should prioritize your Facebook group over your business page. Facebook groups are easier to grow than business pages. Remember how you searched for groups above? If you’ve used some good keywords in your group title, your group will now show up in that list. People can join your group simply by searching for laser cutting topics. Once your group is ready, you need people to join. Start by pasting the link to your group in your product descriptions and add it to your marketplace profile. This way you can use the organic traffic from your marketplace to drive customers to Facebook. This is how the “flywheel” gets started. You share your Facebook group to your marketplace and share your marketplace links to your Facebook. The more the group grows, the more traffic you get to your shop and vice versa.
PRO TIP Include a special discount code for group members only. You can entice people to join your group by saying “Facebook group members get 30% off”. Just make sure to include the discount code in your group announcements. Once everything is up and running, all you have to do is engage with your audience. Treat your group like a conversation, not a billboard. Yes you can share new products and promotions, however you should also ask questions, share updates, and engage with your members. People join groups to connect with like minded people. It is highly recommended you focus only on growing one marketing channel at a time. Save your instagram account, YouTube, and email marketing for later. Focus on Facebook first. You won’t regret it. Good luck! Matt Rise is the owner of Talklaser.com. Please visit and open your FREE shop! We promise to love and respect your designs like no other marketplace.
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DESIGN: Learning How to Design
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Crystal A I truly feel anyone can learn to create their own unique laser files! Sure, some may have a knack for design built-in or learn faster than others, but basic design skills are important to your laser business and can be learned! Below, I’ll cover a few tips and tricks on how to get started on learning how to design your own laser files. Start by designing a piece you need or want. Do you need a family chore chart? Or maybe a fun bathroom or WiFi passcode sign? Start there! Create something simple and then continue to push your skills to more difficult projects as your skills progress. Choose a topic or style you know and love – here are a few examples: Are you obsessed with your dog or cat? Create some awesome pet files that you and your pet-obsessed friends would love to display around their homes. Are you religious? Think of items your fellow church friends are buying and the types of religious décor you like for your own home. Are you more of the funny and sarcastic type? “Live, Laugh, Love” not your kind of thing? Because, same! Haha. Start by working on your “Live, Laugh, Leave Me Alone” signs instead! Do you love all those Farmhouse styles signs or maybe something more sleek and modern? Put your own unique spin on your favorite design style. Now that you know WHAT you want to create, next let’s talk about HOW! Here are a few tips on how to get started.
Size and Material Thickness How big do you want the finished piece and what material thickness do you plan on using? Your material thickness is especially important when creating anything with slots. Breakdown the item you want to make into many shapes. For example, a bunny head silhouette for an Easter tag – use long skinny ovals for the ears, a circle or wide oval for the face, and some rounded triangles and squares to create a bowtie! You don’t always have to hand draw everything from scratch. Many items are much easier to create by just welding together different shapes. Use tools like “Flexishapes” in Silhouette Studio! There are tons of base shape options including hearts, trees, flowers, stars, moons, lightning bolts, and more! Also, each shape usually comes with several ways to adjust that shape to make it exactly what you are looking for. Trace a photo in Procreate for iPad to practice! Tracing a photo of your own, or one from Google, is a great way to get a feel for how to draw a certain item, especially things like flowers or leaves. This way, you can practice on perfecting the petal or leaf shape from a real-life example. If using images from Google keep in mind
this should only be used for practice as the photographer owns all rights to their photos and should not be used to make physical items or files for profit!
– Yes, Even YOU Can Do It!! Aguila, The Riley Black Project PRO TIP – turn the “streamline” feature alllll the way up in your brush settings! It really helps by smoothing out your lines.
problem, because you’re able to put your own spin on those hot trends to set you apart from the rest.
Watch YouTube tutorials. Want to learn how to draw a rose? Type in “How to draw a rose” and scroll through the thumbnails to find a style you like. I’ve personally done this many times when I just don't know where to start on drawing a a particular item.
Satisfaction! You did it!! The satisfaction of creating something that is all yours from scratch is a huge accomplishment!
Practice, Practice, Practice! Tons of practice, with a hefty dash of patience sprinkled in will take you far! After buying my iPad and practicing DAILY, my skills grew dramatically after only a month.
Ok, now we know the WHATand HOW, but what about the WHY? Here are some benefits to creating your own laser designs. Cost This one is huge! When you create your own designs, you are only out your time and patience, rather than several dollars per file! You do need to invest in quality software, but I feel you need that software regardless in order to make small adjustments even to purchased files when necessary. Flexibility and uniqueness The beauty in creating your own designs is that you can make exactly what you want! Do you like a certain trend that is hot, but can’t find a file that truly fits YOU? No
Passive Income When I started creating files, it was never with the intention of becoming a file seller someday. But after tons of practice and perfecting my skills, people started to ask “are you selling that file?! I love it!” I made sure to do my research on what was expected from file designers and paired that with what I personally wanted in the files I purchased and made the jump into selling my own. And boy, am I glad I did! Some of my best-selling designs have made a few thousand dollars each and ended up helping my purchase my laser upgrade – an Aeon Mira 9! We’ve covered the WHAT, HOW, and WHY and now have a good baseline of where to get started. While on your file-creating journey, make sure to be patient! It’s very likely your first project will be far from perfect. I look back at some of my first files and think, “I could’ve done that better,” or “I would’ve done this differently,” but that comes with growth and is exactly why you continue to practice. Your skills will grow with every project and file you create. And if, by chance, you need additional assistance creating your own laser files in Silhouette Studio, check out my free Facebook group and paid course, Silhouette For Lasers. Now get out there and create something amazing!!
Crystal Aguila is the owner of Riley Black Designs and KeychainThingies.com. She is the online course instructor for Silhouette for Lasers, and has a laser podcast with her husband John, called The Riley Black Project - covering lasers, life and all the ish in between! LinkTree
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"BUT I'M NOT A P
How to Photogr
Contributor: Tara Flannery, T
That's what I hear many people say! Don't love how your product photos turn out? Let's discuss a few things that will help make your images stand out from the crowd! END USAGE Start with the end in mind. How will the images be used? Here are some ideas: Websites Marketing ads Brochures and other print copy Social media Industry-specific marketing If you know how you’ll use the images, you can better plan for the final shots. For a website banner, you’ll need a long, skinny shot. For hero shots, you’ll want a close-up of the product. Social media images are likely to be in a square format so the image needs to fit nicely into that space.
PRODUCT SIZE The size of your products will be a factor in the space, props, and background that you’ll need. Larger products will require more space and larger backgrounds or an environmental background. For smaller products, a tabletop setup will be perfect and easy to manage. A kitchen table or bathroom counter may be ideal. Also, consider using a reference object in your photos to put the product size in perspective. Without a reference, it’s hard for customers to know the actual size of the product.
HOTOGRAPHER..."
raph Products
Tara Flannery Photography
COLOR TEMPERATURE Depending on your product, color accuracy may be extremely important. If an item is rich brown wood, you want to be sure the image shows it as rich brown wood, not too blue or too yellow. Color temperature can affect your photo and give it a hue that you’re not expecting. Daylight is about 5500 Kelvin. If you have a camera with a white balance setting, match the white balance to the type of light you’re using for the photo.
BACKGROUND The background of your product shots is so important! It needs to be clean and minimal, so the focus of the image is on the product itself. It’s okay to include elements that might naturally be found with your product but don’t overdo it! For example, cookies placed on a cooling rack with a mixing spoon makes sense. Bath products near a bathtub with other bath items would also be appropriate. Try different locations and backgrounds to find what’s most pleasing. Replica Surfaces is a company that offers backgrounds for smaller products. Just like it’s name, it’s a system that replicates different surfaces. You can mix and match tabletops with backgrounds to mimic a kitchen, bathroom, and any other surface you can think of! Background DIY – consider using foam board or cardboard and covering it with scrapbook paper or wallpaper for a fun background. You could change these out for the holiday seasons as well for a fresh look! Continued on next page...
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BUT I'M NOT A PHO LIGHTING Lighting is probably the most important consideration in any type of photography. You need more light than you think! Here are some options for lighting: Natural light: a North-facing window will provide the best light at any time of day. If you don’t have a North-facing window that works, use any window but watch for rays of sunlight. You don’t want part of the product to be very bright where the sun is shining directly onto the product. Ring light: a ring light provides even coverage and the intensity and color temperature can be adjusted on many ring lights. Position the ring light to the side and pretend like it’s window light. Studio lights: strobe lighting can be very powerful and provide lots of light. Reflector: use a white poster board or reflector to fill in shadows as needed.
ACTION SHOTS How is your product used? Setting up an “action” shot with the product in use by a model can be another way to market your product. In one image, you can explain the story and usage of your products.
GROUPINGS VS. INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS Do you sell more than one product? Consider not only individual shots but also collections of items that might go together.
TOGRAPHER... cont'd CAMERA ANGLE Camera angle will affect the feeling of the image. Try a few different camera angles: Overhead: place the product on the floor and stand directly over the product to get a bird’s eye view Low: place the product on a table and get the camera even with the product so you’re shooting straight on to the product Normal: place the product on a table and photograph from standing for a natural view Experiment: try other angles and move the product as well to find interesting viewpoints
STYLING/POSING/COMPOSITION “Posing” your product is an important factor in making it look great! Turn the product (up, down, and sideways) and photograph from many angles and positions. Add props or other elements to enhance the story of your product. Also, be sure to leave “breathing room” in the image by leaving room on the top, bottom, and/or sides of the product.
A little planning and setup goes a long way towards successful product photography. Good imagery can lead to higher sales and greater interest for your products. It’s worth a little time and effort to create fantastic product shots!
Tara Flannery of Tara Flannery Photography is a photographer in The Woodlands, Texas. You can find her here: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Home
MAINTENANCE: Things Yo
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Summ
I Don't Work As we finish up the holiday season, I wanted to focus this article on a different kind of maintenance; your own. We spend all our time and energy growing our business and maintaining our lasers, and often, we neglect to maintain the most important machines in our businesses, our bodies. My background, prior to owning a laser, was as a licensed massage therapist for 30 years. Therefore, I have been maintaining the human body far longer than I have been maintaining lasers, and, although this is a laser-focused magazine, this issue will talk about maintaining the operator.
We have all heard about self-care in the past, whether in the news, social media, or from our family doctor, but what does that mean? According to the Oxford Dictionary, self-care is defined as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health. While self-care is important for everyone, it can be especially important for selfemployed individuals who may not have the same support systems and structures in place as those who work for a traditional employer. Following are some tips for practicing self-care as a self-employed person:
Set boundaries: It can be easy to blur the lines between work and personal time when you're self-employed, so it's important to set boundaries and stick to them. This might include setting specific times for work, taking breaks, and setting limits on how much work you do outside of normal business hours. Take breaks: Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This can help you stay energized and productive. Stretch: We spend a ton of time over our computer or laser and that has an effect on our bodies. Stretching throughout the day can help relieve sore muscles, correct posture, and improve circulation and nerve conduction to relieve pain. Exercise: Exercise can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels. Make time for physical activity, whether it's a full workout or just a quick walk around the block.
Eat well: Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you feel your best and stay focused. Take the time to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks, and avoid relying on quick and convenient foods.
ur Laser Wishes You Knew
er Shigley, The Spotless Forge
Without You! Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for good physical and mental health. On average, adults require 7-9 hours of sleep to maintain health. Make sure to get enough rest and create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Hydrate: Caffeine may have been life’s blood during the holiday rush, but adequate water intake is vital to your physical and mental well being. A good rule of thumb is your body weight divided by half in ounces per day. That means that if I weigh 180 pounds, I need to drink 90 ounces of water per day to stay properly hydrated.
Seek support: It can be isolating to work for yourself, so it's important to seek support when you need it. Consider joining a social or professional group or seeking out a mentor or coach to help you navigate the challenges of self-employment. Practice mindfulness: Taking a few minutes to focus on the present moment can help you reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, into your daily routine. These steps can help you extend the life of your business, and possibly your body. Remember that you are your business's greatest asset. Summer Shigley is the co-owner of Your Content Creations LLC with her husband Les. Your Content Creations LLC is the parent company of The Spotless Forge and Time2Travel Vacations. Find out more about her by going to her Linktree site. Home
MATERIALS
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Bra
What Wood STRUCTURE- PLY VS. MDF CORE We all know that Plywood is formed from layers of wood and glue, but have you ever wondered how the MDF core sheets are made? The core is obviously MDF but remember that not all MDF is made equal, and some sheets can be tough to cut through. With the core being made from MDF, it starts out thinner than 1/8”, allowing for the veneer face and backside to be added, leaving the sheet right around 1/8” to 5/32”. Each veneer sheet is then glued to the MDF, creating a strong bond. Since there are just three consistent layers, the amount of glue used is much more even, and this helps to ensure consistent cutting by avoiding glue pockets. Ever wonder how each mill knows if they made a specific sheet? Well, that answer is called Glitter, tiny colored metal flakes mixed into the glue that identifies what mill made the sheet. Glitter is great for the mill, but for laser cutting and engraving, it can be a nightmare that ruins pieces! When cutting with a CO2 laser, you can cut through wood easily, but metal will stop your beam and power instantly. The end result is a cutline that never fully separates and ends up splintering apart with force. If engraving, you can uncover the tiny metal flakes and then have a noticeable spot where the metal was pulled out of your engraving. When looking for wood for your laser, the best option is to find wood sheets specifically
made for laser use. This will help to guarantee that you avoid inconsistencies, Glitter, and other potentially project-ruining issues. Also, since the veneer thickness can and will fluctuate, always remember to check your thickness with calipers before running a file that specifies a thickness to be used. VENEER GRADES, FRONT AND BACK Okay, now you know how a panel is made but what about the quality? To assess the quality of a panel made from veneer you need to look at the grading of the veneers. From best to worst, and front veneer will be labeled as A, B, C, or D grade. The back has a slightly different system of 1, 2, 3, or 4 and like the face veneer these are listed as best to worst. When you shop for a panel made from veneer, you will see the item listed as an A1 which first describes the front grade and then the back grade. The A grade is a premium grade face, and then the 1 designates a premium back grade but not quite as nice as the face grade. A popular brand, PureBond lists their 5/32” Walnut sheets as a B3 grade, this means there is a nice face veneer, but the back is a much lower quality and best used where the back will not be seen. When we produce our wood sheets, we actually use a double face grade to ensure both sides of the sheet are a premium offering. Knowing how to read and understand grading will help you to know you’re getting a quality product and better assess materials when looking for a quality supplier. Now that everyone has a little more knowledge on sheet construction and quality
S: WOOD
aden Todd, GS2 AWARDS
And When level, how do you know what to use and when? Some of the wood species can be selected based on color and appearance, but when engraving your choice does make a difference. If you need an engraving with excellent contrast, choosing a dark wood like Walnut may not be best as you will end up with a dark engraving on dark wood. When choosing Maple, the wood is lighter in color, but the engraving generally starts out lighter and slightly darkens with time. As a personal favorite, Cherry has always been a go-to because it has a beautiful grain pattern and coloring but also engraves darker and evenly. The engraving results from Cherry mean this wood is an excellent choice for awards, ornaments, picture frames, and more. Here are a few examples of wood species and results that can generally be expected: Walnut- Dark in Color with dark engravings, best used as a back piece or where subtle engravings are desired.
Walnut Veneer MDF Core
Maple- Light in color with somewhat lighter engravings, works well for ornaments, layering on darker woods, and for smooth/even engraving. Cherry- Beautiful coloring with tones of tan, brown, and red with nicely contrasting engraving. Excellent for awards, ornaments, and as an all-around wood choice.
Red Oak Veneer MDF Core
Sapele and African Mahogany- Gorgeous red color with attractive grain appearance, engraving does come out slightly darker than the wood color allowing for a nice contrasting mark. Excellent for items needing a deep rich tone, ornaments, layering, accents, and more. White Birch- Light in color and engraves nicely. The great aspect of White Birch is that you can purchase whole face sheets that leave you with no veneer seams, great for photographs and projects that need not have any lines interfering with your art.
White Birch Veneer MDF Core
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Wood continued here...... Quick tip: If you are working with a light-colored veneer that has an MDF core and you need a darker engraving, you can increase your power to engrave through the veneer and into the MDF core which results in a darker engraving. Production Tip: If you do not need to stain or paint fill, you can use Pre-Finished sheets that allow you to skip masking and simply wipe off any smoke residue with a damp cloth!
NOW FOR A SLIGHT CURVEBALL! If you’ve used a veneer MDF core sheet with great results, does that mean solid wood will yield the same results? The sad answer is no and this is due to the grain structure. Oak is a prime example of a wood that works well with a veneer, but when engraving solid wood the results may not work well for your project compared to other wood species. When engraving solid Oak, the grain doesn’t allow for a smooth and even engraving. The end result is an engraving that is uneven in color and has varying levels of depth. Engraved Oak Illustrating Grain Issues
In the photos you will see the same engraving run with the same settings on Oak and Cherry, the Cherry result is a flat and even mark, whereas the Oak has an uneven result. If you plan to do deep engravings, or true 3D engravings, our favorite choice is Maple. The photo shows a true 3D engraving in Maple and you can see that all levels are smooth and even without any grain interference.
Cherry vs. Oak Engraving
I hope this helps shed some light on wood sheets and how to select the best materials for your projects! Braden Todd GS2 Awards www.gs2awards.com
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