Contoured exterior signage made of printed acrylic
Use this tutorial to learn how to make your own sign out of printed acrylic using your Trotec Laser and JobControl® Vision.
Preparation
Required Materials
- Printed Acrylic 8mm, 1200mmx600mm
- 1/4 Sheet TroGlass Satins Rose + Self-adhesive-Film
- 1/4 Sheet TroGlass Color Gloss Fuchsia + Self-adhesive Film
- 1 Packet Signage Wall Mounts 20mm/20mm
Machines Used
* SP3000, 400W and Speedy 400, 100W
* 5" lens and 2" lens
* Acrylic slat table and vacuum table with acrylic grid
This pattern can also be produced (adjusting for size) with any machine from the Speedy Laser Engraver series.
Tip
Experiment with different textures and colors from the TroGlass range for markedly different finishes.
Step by step
Step 1: Print And Import Design
Print the template on 8 mm acrylic and import our laser file into your preferred graphics/design program. Send the laser contour for the shield with the following print settings to your Trotec laser:
Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
---|---|---|
Vector Job | 1000dpi | None |
Halftone | Others |
---|---|
Color | Optimized Geometries, Inner Geometries First |
Important: In the Corel print window, ensure that the color black is already stored in the parameter selection with the process "register marks." This will help you recognize the registration marks later in JobControl®.
Step 2: Laser Process Printed Acrylic
Place the printed acrylic face-up on the acrylic slats in your SP3000 and cover the remaining working surface. The parameters may vary depending on the laser machine used and available laser power:
Laser Parameter | Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration Marks | Black | Reg Marks | - | - | - |
Cutting | Red | Cutting Co2 | 85 | 2.3 | 20,000 |
Laser Parameter | Passes | Air-Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
---|---|---|---|---|
Reg Marks | - | - | - | - |
Cutting | 1 | ON | -2mm | - |
Step 3: Acrylic Lettering
To achieve a three-dimensional effect, the lettering of the sign is glued on colored TroGlass. To cut one of your own, send the logos with the following settings to your Trotec laser.
Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
---|---|---|
Vector Job | 1000dpi | None |
Halftone | Others |
---|---|
Color | Optimized Geometries, Inner Geometries First |
Tip:
To save material, attach the lettering freehand without a template; turning the letters and nesting them close together.
Step 4: Laser Process Acrylic Lettering
Now place the respective TroGlass sheets on the acrylic grid cutting table in your Speedy laser, cover the rest of the work surface and cut out the various lettering. The parameters may vary depending on the laser machine used and available laser power:
Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red | Cut CO2 | 100 | 1 | 1000 |
Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
---|---|---|---|
1 | on | - | - |
Tip:
We set a framework around the word "Chicago." After laser processing, we secure the letters to the frame with tape so that the entire word can be glued in the perfect alignment.
Step 5: Finishing
Start by removing the protective film from the front of the acrylic shield, and place the lettering loosely on its surface. Once you are satisfied with its orientation/placement, stick each letter, one at a time, to the acrylic shield. Place the "Chicago" very last, once all of the other lettering is firmly in place. Your contour-cut TroGlass sign is now finished, and can now be hung using wall spacers.
What Makes TroGlass Ideal For This Application?
Specially developed for use with a laser, TroGlass comes in a wide range of eye-catching colors, each with unique finishes and degrees of transparency. A perfect fit for any creative application, it's high weather resistance, optimal light scattering and ease of use make it the ideal choice for our exterior signage!
Inspiration
- Illuminate the sign from behind with an LED strip to make it visible even in the dark.
- Consider creating table numbers, name badges, and other creative applications to match your new exterior signage.