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print & cut puzzle

Digitally printed puzzle with individual engraving

Step-by-step instructions

Use our step-by-step instructions and template with our new Digital Print Series material to make and personalize your own puzzle.

Preparation

Materials required
  • 1/2 sheet TroLase Metallic, matte brushed Aluminum/Black 1.6 mm
  • 1/2 sheet TroLase ADA Polar White 1.6 mm
  • Photo Frame 30 x 40 mm
  • Paper or other lightweight material to cover the working table
Machine used

You can create this puzzle using any of the laser machines from our Speedy laser engraver series. 

Tips

Check the internet for free software you can download and use to make the puzzle pieces.

puzzle-digital-print-series.zip

ZIP

Download now

Step by step

print settings laser material dps
Step 1

Step 1: Create print and laser design

Download our graphic or create your own design. Tips and tricks on how to create graphics for Digital Print Series can be found here.

Then send the puzzle engrave-and-cut file to the laser.

Print settings

Process mode Resolution Cut line
Standard 600 dpi none
Halftone Others
Color Optimized geometries, inner geometries first
inspiration laser cutting puzzle
Step 2

Step 2: Laser process puzzle

We used the quality-optimized TroLase standard parameters from JobControl® for the engraving settings. Due to the complex geometries of the puzzle pieces, we adapted the cutting parameters. (The parameters might vary depending on the machine used and the available laser power.)

Next put the printed sheet of Digital Print Series on the acrylic cutting grid of your Trotec Laser. Engrave and cut the design.

LASER PARAMETERS

Color Process  Power (%) Speed (%) ppi/Hz
Black Engrave CO2 40 100 600
Red Cut CO2 32 0.8 5000
Blue Cut CO2 60 1.62 5000
Passes Air Assist Z-Offset Advanced
1 on +1.5 mm High Quality 
1 on - -
1 on - -

Important:

Engrave from bottom to top. This prevents the dust from collecting in the engraved areas.
Take a sheet of paper and put it underneath the cut puzzle so that you can remove all elements from the laser at once.

print settings laser material ada
Step 3

Step 3: Graphic base plate

The base plate is necessary to display the puzzle in a frame. Send the graphic to the laser using the settings below.

Print settings

Process mode Resolution Cut line
Standard 1000 dpi none
Halftone Others
Color -
base plate puzzle
Step 4

Step 4: Laser process base plate

The step is to put the TroLase ADA on the acrylic cutting grid and cut it out.

LASER PARAMETERS

Color Process Power (%) Speed (%) ppi/Hz
red Cut CO2 65 2 1000
Passes Air Assist Z-Offset Advanced
1 on - -

TIPS:

We used the speed-optimized standard laser parameters for TroLase ADA in JobControl®.

laser speedy puzzle
Step 5

Step 5: Cleaning and assembly

After engraving, clean the puzzle using a damp cloth.

TIP:

If you leave the material in the laser with the vacuum activated after you are finished processing, the parts will stay in position during cleaning.

laser engraving puzzle

Inspiration

  • Make a bigger base plate and use the new Trotec signage mounting devices to mount the puzzle on the wall. In this case, you could put double-sided adhesive tape on the printed plate before cutting.
  • Print general atmospheric pictures (e.g. sunsets, sandy beaches, flowers,...) on stock and engrave them afterward according to your customers' requirements.

Speedy series
 The ideal laser engraver and cutter for personalization.

Discover laser engravers and cutters

Questions about applications or settings?
We're happy to advise you from A for Air assist to Z for z-offset.

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