Acrylic Myths Debunked

like wood and MDF, material thickness and density can vary enough to require multiple test cuts between sheets of the same style. Even when purchasing from the same supplier, wood and MDF can have void spots due to glue which you cannot cut through. This can result in a higher rate of failed cuts and required recuts, increasing your overall material cost for a project.

Pro-tip: The total material cost should be used when pricing your products. Make sure your pricing incorporates the base material cost PLUS any additional expenses related to that material, such as additional labor and variances in laser time.

#3 Myth: Acrylic is scratch-proof

Fact: Acrylic is scratch-resistant but can be polished.

Acrylic is highly scratchresistant, but scratching can still occur during the normal course of fabrication or wear and tear. Nothing is more frustrating than completing a cut only to realize there is a scratch on the finished piece. But don’t fret; acrylic is such a popular material because, unlike other plastics, acrylic can be buffed and polished. You can buff scratches with a lamb-wool pad or microfiber cloth and plastic scratch remover solution depending on the type of acrylic and scratch severity. Once buffed, the original shine can be restored with a plastic polishing solution and microfiber cloth.

Pro-tip: Do not use magic erasers, alcohol wipes, Windex, ammonia, or generic cleaners on your acrylic sheets. Stick with plastic-specific cleaners or simple water and dish soap with a microfiber cloth.

#4 Myth: Working with acrylic is difficult to learn

Fact: With tons of resources, getting started with acrylic is easier than ever! As a maker, there’s a good chance that even before you got your laser, you worked with wood or leatherette, but probably not many plastics. This unfamiliarity, coupled with higher price points, can make acrylic seem more intimidating to new users. However, thanks to passionate community members, material education is more accessible than ever. CO2-specific content providers like LaserFocused Magazine, Big Blue Laser Designs, and several Facebook groups have helped demystify the world of laser cutting and acrylic.

Pro-tip: Check out starter bundles or sample packs to cost-effectively test out a variety of acrylic. We always say if you can figure out how to cut mirror acrylic, you can cut any acrylic.

#5 Myth: All acrylic is made equally here...

Fact: Quality varies across manufacturers, even when comparing the same styles.

Guest Contributor: Nicole Jackson, BUSINESS

Holiday planning:

It might only be July, but any seasoned laser crafter knows that this is the time to start making products to capitalize on the most profitable holiday of the year. According to market research, Christmas ornaments were the top-selling holiday decorations for 2022 in America, so it’s easy to see why holiday crafting is so popular with makers.

As the Christmas retail spending increases in November and December, it’s essential to plan and prepare early, especially if you will be making large quantities of Christmas decor and gifts to sell to meet the demands of your customers. Many Christmas lovers start decorating in November, and being prepared before that time gives you a better chance of more sales and higher income.

Time to start Planning!

What To Sell

Determining what to sell can be anxietyinducing for many makers. Few can accurately predict what items will be popular and trending for any given time or area. With the price of raw supplies climbing higher and higher, it’s very frustrating as a small business owner to lose valuable time and materials when the product is a flop. Market research and prior experience in holidaymaker seasons can go a long way in planning this year’s product offerings.

A simple online search for current holiday market trends will bring up countless articles about what retailers expect to trend this year and can be a valuable tool in your planning. EtsyHunt is a resource I came across in my research for this article, and it looked like a promising place to look up the current topselling products on the Etsy platform. It has free and paid plans, offering different information and services depending on the plan selected.

If pouring over statistics and articles isn’t something you align with, a straightforward solution is walking into any big box craft store that sells massive amounts of holiday merchandise starting around the early summer (now!) and browsing the aisles. Here you will find ideas of the trending colors, patterns, and themes that people will decorate with this year so you can match those.

If you only plan on making a small number of ornaments to supplement your business and need some ideas, here are some quick categories:

• Occasions; such as New Home, First Christmas, and Just Married;

• Current home decorating trends;

• Memorial ornaments, especially cardinals;

• Location-oriented - if you live in an area that’s a popular destination, also an excellent idea for selling a few ornaments year-round.