Shop the tools and supplies I use to create laser cut business signs and event decor!

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I only share and recommend laser cutting supplies and tools I personally use and love! 

Essential Tools & Supplies for Laser Cut Signs

Laser cutting machine

Let's start with the obvious one! A laser cutting machine is essential to making laser cut signage so you can cut acrylic and wood that are 1/8" to 1/4" thick. When selecting a laser make sure it can cut the material that you want to use and the size of signs you want to make.

I started out using a Glowforge at a community makerspace. I always recommend finding a makerspace as an affordable way to get started with a laser cutting machine if you don’t have one. Now I have my own Aeon Mira 9 with a larger laser bed that I use to make acrylic and wood signs.

Design software

Your design software includes the program to design your signage and the program that will talk to your laser cutting machine to cut it out. You can also design your signs right inside of some laser cutting programs, such as Lightburn.

I design my signs in Adobe Illustrator and then I send them to Lightburn to cut out my signs on my laser. I originally started using Inkscape to design my signs as it was a free software to get started with.

You can start with a free trial of Adobe Illustrator and check out my beginner tutorial on How to Design a sign in Adobe Illustrator with 10 Basic Tools! 

Digital calipers

Digital calipers are a tool to measure the thickness of your material and helps you figure out what you kerf number is. You will need digital calipers to make signs that fit perfec into stands. I explain everything about calipers, kerf and material thickness in my Kerf Tool Kit! I use these digital calipers to make my signs.

Vinyl weeding tools

I use a set of vinyl weeding tools that includes a scraper, tweezers, knife, weeder tool, spatula and scissors. I personally use the Xinart brand. These tools are perfect for removing masking, holding tiny pieces with tweezers, using the scraper to apply masking and 3M and countless other things in the sign making process!

Paint brushes

To paint fill engraved acrylic or wood you will need paint brushes. I like to use a flat paint brush to paint fill.

Paint tray & pods

To mix up your paint to engrave and paint fill acrylic, I recommend having a paint tray or even a plastic plate. You can also save mixed up colors in paint pods.

Acrylic paint

To engrave and paint fill acrylic, I recommend using acrylic paint so you can mix up any color of paint to match brands and event decor. I personally usually use matte FolkArt acrylic paint.

Acrylic & wood

You can make signs with 1/8" acrylic or 1/4" wood. Acrylic comes in a wide range of colors, textures and finishes. Wood can be left natural, stained or painted. You can even combine wood and acrylic to make stunning signs!

Masking tape

Black Gorilla tape is handy for removing masking on small and large pieces of material. You can use it to start a large piece or remove all masking off of small pieces. I often wear a ‘tape ring’ on my finger when I am removing masking from my projects. You can also use a piece of masking tape over a QR code to remoe the tiny pieces! 

Masking

Masking (often called paper transfer tape) can be applied to wood or acrylic before it is cut to do an engrave and paint fill and also help reduce the char on the material. Acrylic sometimes comes with a paper masking on it so there is no need to apply a different masking if there is paper masking on it already.

I personally use this paper transfer tape from a Canadian supplier.

Adhesives

To layer text or designs on signs, there are a variety of adhesive options including super glue, E6000, Weldon 4 or sheet adhesives such as 3M 300SLE adhesive. I use 3M when I can and then either Starbond super glue or Gorilla super glue.

If I am building acrylic boxes, I use Weldon 4. I have a list specifically for acrylic boxes below!  

Spray sealer

When engraving and paint filling, after you engrave spray a sealer to make crisp paint lines for perfect engraved and paint filled acrylic.

Sand paper

Sand paper is handy for sanding off any char marks on wood.

Isopropyl

To remove char from acrylic, isopropyl can be used sparingly. It can damage some acrylic (such as mirror acrylic) so make sure to test before using it.

Wipes, cloths & cotton swabs

To clean up acrylic you can use baby wipes, microfiber cloths and cotton swabs.

Rulers

I have multiple rulers around my studio for easy access to measure everything! I am always wanting to visualize the size of something when I am designing or measuring if I can cut something out of a scap piece of acrylic. I keep one at my computer, my assembly workspace and at my laser.  

Magnetic Signs

Magnets 

I use tiny 2mm by 3mm magnets for assembling my magnetic signs. I recommend using 2mm thick magnets that are 3mm or larger wide. This allows your magnets to be slightly recessed into your acrylic with an engraved hole. 

Laser Cut Boxes 

Weldon 4

Needle tip syringe

Clamps

Clamps are a game changer for building acrylic laser cut boxes! I highly recommend them! I have small clamps, medium clamps and have borrowed long clamps for my large wooden flower boxes. 

Painters tape

When I make acrylic boxes, the pieces must be lined up perfectly before applying the Weldon 4. Painters tape can help line pieces up perfectly. 

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