Top 10 AMAZING LASER ENGRAVING Project Ideas (Made With Sculpfun S9) - 2022 - Hobby Laser Cutters and Engravers (2024)

Amazing Laser Engraver (And Cutter) Project Ideas

Affordable laser engravers are getting more and more popular and more importantly, more and more capable. With the machines we have tested, you can do so much more than engraving! Here you will see the top 10 amazing project ideas you can make with a good laser engraver!

For this article, we have used the newest and the best machine from Sculpfun – the Sculpfun S9. Its special ability is a powerful laser with a narrow focus point which stays focused on a great distance, allowing you to cut thick materials. If you are interested in technical test of this machine, check our review here.

There is a certain level of satisfaction that comes from making your own things. It’s the feeling of pride you get when you finish something and it looks good, or knowing that you can produce a quality product without having to pay for it.

Contents of This Post

  • 10 – The Wooden Puzzle​
  • 9 – The Acrylic Ornaments
  • 8 – Making Custom Rubber Stamps
  • 7 – Pepakura Papercraft
  • 6 – Engrave Your Clothes and Make Them Unique!
  • 5 – Cutting Puzzles From Thick Wood
  • 4 – Cutting Custom Event Tickets From Cardboard
  • 3 – The Awesome Tree Clock
  • 2- Making Custom Boxes Of All Shapes And Sizes In Minutes!
  • 1 – Engraving Stainless Steel!
  • Conclusion

If you like the video format, you can watch the video on Youtube:

10 - The Wooden Puzzle

The best way to beat the winter blues is by keeping your brain sharp with some DIY puzzles. Wooden puzzles are a great way to stimulate ‘s creativity and imagination. Here’s a fun one that will keep you on your toes, and it can be made entirely with a good laser engraver! The laser engravers has come down in price significantly over the last few years, making it more accessible than ever before for hobbyists and makers alike. This project is an easy introduction to using a laser engraver as well as building wooden jigsaw puzzles.

I bought the design for cheap on etsy.com

9 - The Acrylic Ornaments

The holidays are just around the corner and we’re all scrambling to get our shopping done, but why not take a break and try something new? This year for your gift-giving needs, consider making acrylic ornaments with a laser engraver. First you need to download an image file of what you want engraved on the acrylic. You can find a lot of designs on websites that offer free vector designs. If you don’t ahve a vector vile, but a regular image, use program like Inkscape to create a vector version of your design, where you’ll convert it into an outline drawing called ‘path.’ Finally, upload this path onto your laser engraver software where it will cut away at the material.

This machine can easily cut dark acrylic. The easiest to cut is the black acrylic, but here I have tried cutting the yellow one. The machine needed about twice as many passes as for the black one, because the yellow color reflects more light than dark colors. But it cut out this cool fish very nicely. I used some black spray paint to fill in the engravings and wiped the excess with a cloth soaked in acetone and it came out very nice!

8 - Making Custom Rubber Stamps

I bet you thought that laser engraving was just for making art or cutting out materials. Well, I’m here to show you how to use your laser engraver to make rubber stamps! The process is surprisingly easy and anyone can do it with a few materials from the hardware store. All you need is a laser engraver and a little time on your hands.

I used moderate power and speed and I used cross hatch infill. The result is a little bit burned, but it cleans nicely with a damp paper towel. The engraving is deep and has a nice edge. After engraving rubber or other dusty materials it is always recommended to clean the lens with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. This makes sure the laser will always work at maximum power.

I got stamps from Aliexpress.

7 - Pepakura Papercraft

Papercraft is one of those hobbies that everyone loves but no one ever seems to get around to doing. Well guess what, we’ve found a way for you to learn papercraft, and all by yourself! It’s so easy – just plug it in, download a free design template or upload your own artwork and start cutting your own designs right away! You can definitely see that these were the first ever papercraft things that I made. I still need some practice at glueing 🙂

This machine cuts thick paper like butter. I tried to do some paper art from plans I got from the internet. With reduced power you can mark the lines where the bends will be, and then, the paper bends very easily.

Paper craft is a fun hobby to take up. You can make your own cards and art, and even some useful items such as coasters or gift boxes.

6 - Engrave Your Clothes and Make Them Unique!

Laser engraver’s like the new kid on the block. It can be used to make your clothes unique and personal by engraving them with designs, text, or even a logo. If you’re looking to make your clothes stand out in a crowd, then laser engraving is the way to go. It offers an easy way to create custom designs on anything from t-shirts, jeans, or dresses. It’s also relatively inexpensive when compared with other methods like screen printing which can cost a lot!

Laser engraving works by using a laser beam that etches into the fabric without damaging any part of the garment. The result is a crisp design that will last through many wash cycles and even after multiple wears.

With a power dialed in just right, you can engrave your favorite image right on your jeans! It also works on real leather and faux leather. You just need to get the power setting right or else you will quickly have a hole in your pants 😀

5 - Cutting Puzzles From Thick Wood

A puzzle is a great way to keep your brain active, but what do you do if you’ve run out of puzzles? You can always make more! But first, the materials. A laser engraver will be used to cut these simple shapes from 10mm thick wood. All one needs are some good speed settings and patience for this DIY project.

What separates the Sculpfun S9 machine from the rest is the fact, that this machine has a laser beam, that stays in focus for much greater distance than others, which means you can cut thicker materials. Cutting wood this thick would be impossible on Atomstack A5 Pro or the Sculpfun S6 Pro. For optimal cutting of thick materials, focus the head a few millimeters lower than normal. If necessary, remove the acrylic guard. But always wear safety goggles! Here is an example of cutting a cute balancing rabbit puzzle I bought for cheap on etsy.com.

4 - Cutting Custom Event Tickets From Cardboard

You might not be able to afford a fortune in concert tickets, so why not try making your own? With the help of laser engravers and some DIY spirit you can make custom tickets for any occasion. The best part about this process is that it’s easy enough for anyone to do.

This machine has a very fine focus spot, and it can engrave images with very high detail and contrast. The thing that will really convince you is the ability to make perforations for the tear-away part of the ticket. In Lightburn software you just set a layer to “perforation”, adjust the settings and it makes the perforations automatically!

The most astonishing thing on the Sculpfun S9 machine is that it has a very fine focus spot. This way it can produce a very detailed images like the image of John Lennon below!

3 - The Awesome Tree Clock

If you are looking for a fun and easy project to engross yourself in this weekend, then crafting your own clock is the perfect choice. Using laser engraver, you can create their own unique timepiece that will stand out from any other on the market.

This project is one of my favourites. I got the design for free from somewhere on the internet, but I have forgot where. Here you can download the design. and I got the clock mechanism for cheap from Aliexpress. I cut the design from 3mm plywood and glued a thick black paper on the back side for reinforcement and contrast. I used the seconds pointer just for the video, the clock looks more professional without it. Seconds mean nothing to the eternal trees 😀

2- Making Custom Boxes Of All Shapes And Sizes In Minutes!

I am going to share a simple way you can create a laser cutter box in under 10 minutes. No custom design needed! It is a great project for beginners and hobbyists who want something that they don’t need to spend countless hours designing or making from scratch. All that’s required is a laser engraver and 10 minutes spent on this free online box generator.

This laser cutter box generator will save you hours of time and give your project the perfect finishing touch! When I first started making things, I spent a lot of time trying to design a wooden box. It was frustrating because It took a lot of time for each box shape. This is where that handy little tool comes in: it’s an online tool that takes all the work out of making boxes! All you need to do is type in what kind of box you want (square, rectangle, flexible, etc), then click “generate” and voila – there’s your custom-made box for whatever shape or size you need.

1 - Engraving Stainless Steel!

Are you looking for something new to engrave? Want your jewellery or dog tag to be engraved with laser technology instead of traditional methods like stamping or etching? I’ll show you how!
It’s perfect for giving your handmade jewellery that extra personal touch without all the effort!

This machine is powerful enough to engrave stainless steel! Yes, you heard that right. First, the steel needs to be blackened with a cheap black spray paint. Engrave with slow speed. Then wipe the paint off with the acetone. The engraving is very durable and doesn’t scratch off easily.

Conclusion

The 10 project ideas in this blog post are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you can do with your laser engraver. After reading about these projects, I hope you’ve found some inspiration and motivation to buy one for yourself!

If so, please do not hesitate to use the links provided below that will take you directly to each machine’s best place online for purchase! Thank you for reading this article all the way through–I know it was long but if you made it this far then hopefully there are some projects near the end that caught your eye or at least gave you a few new ideas on how to make money with these machines. Good luck out there, makers!

The Machines That Can Make This Stuff

All of these projects were made using the new Sculpfun S9. You can buy it by clicking the link below. By buying through the link, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us to keep this website running and provide you with all this content for free! Also check the links below for other vendors!

Buy Sculpfun S9Buy Sculpfun S6 Pro

You can also get in at Aliexpress or Amazon!

And if you want to upgrade your existing laser (Sculpfun S6, Ortur, Atomstack, Eleksmaker…) you can buy only the Sculpfun S9 laser head HERE.

Or check the COUPON PAGE. If discount coupon is available, it will be listed there.

Top 10 AMAZING LASER ENGRAVING Project Ideas (Made With Sculpfun S9) - 2022 - Hobby Laser Cutters and Engravers (2024)

FAQs

Can Sculpfun S9 engrave metal? ›

Engrave: wood, leather, cotton (clothing), rubber, paper, fruit, foam, acrylic, black anodized aluminium, blackened metal, stainless steel… The Sculpfun S9 is a very a capable cutter.

Can you make money with laser engraving? ›

Yes! Making money with a laser engraver is a really fun way to make some extra income or even start your own business. You might be surprised at the different things people want engraved with a laser. From trophies to tombstones, there is a huge market out there for you to tap.

What should you not laser engrave? ›

Polycarbonate is a poor choice for laser cutting. ABS Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt ABS does not cut well in a laser cutter. It tends to melt rather than vaporize, and has a higher chance of catching on fire and leaving behind melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid.

How do you laser engrave glass? ›

Laser etching glass is very easy - start by installing the Rotary Attachment in the laser to rotate your glass as you engrave. Set up your image in CorelDraw, Illustrator or other software just as if you were printing to paper. Send it to the laser, and it will beautifully etch the glasses, wine bottles and mugs!

Is laser cutting a good business? ›

What Makes Laser Cutting an Excellent Prospect? A laser cutting business is a versatile prospect due to individuals and small companies now having access to the latest technology. Laser cutters were previously only available as large-scale industrial tools to etch, engrave or cut various materials.

Does Sculpfun s9 have air assist? ›

Get the best out of your new Sculpfun S9 with this optimized Air Assist system! Blast away light-absorbing smoke, and get deeper and cleaner cuts!

How do you use the Sculpfun s9 laser engraver? ›

Sculpfun S9 Laser Engraving Machine: Incredible Results at a Decent Price

How do I set up Sculpfun s9? ›

Setting Up Your SCULPFUN Laser With LightBurn & First Project

Can a laser cut bone? ›

Lasers can cut through bone with utmost accuracy and achieve highly complex incisions. As a result, bones knit more quickly after an operation and require less complex fixation techniques.

Can lasers cut diamond? ›

Cut diamonds are designed to exaggerate the crystal's reflective surfaces, making it appear bright and glittering. To do this, the rock is cut precisely using a laser. Lasers are effective for cutting all sorts of materials but are particularly useful for cutting diamonds.

Can you laser cut glass? ›

Lasers can cut glass of varying thickness to just about any shape. Quick, clean, accurate and adaptable, laser cutting is the preferred method for many businesses across a wide range of industries.

How do I start a laser engraving business from home? ›

Starting a Laser Engraving Business: Seven Steps
  1. Step One: Create a Plan for Your Business Venture. ...
  2. Step Two: Marketing as a Laser Engraver. ...
  3. Step Three: Pricing Your Laser Engraving Business. ...
  4. Step Four: Get Laser Engraver Equipment. ...
  5. Step Five: Register Your Laser Engravers Business. ...
  6. Step Six: Build a Laser Business Website.

How much money can you make with a Glowforge? ›

We do have the Pro, but we bought it because we knew we were going to put it to work. We figured we'd get the “top of the line” because it would be the best. The Pro doesn't run any differently than the other two models, and I've seen so many people make $10,000+ in a few months with a Basic, so I won't discount them.

How long do laser engravers last? ›

As your laser ages past the five year mark, and especially at about seven or eight years, it's not uncommon to experience a breakdown due to a major component failure.

What do you put on glass before laser engraving? ›

Applying a thin coat of liquid dish soap over the area to be engraved helps in dissipating the heat when engraving. Masking also helps with heat dissipation as long as you make sure that there are no wrinkles on the paper towel or wet sheet of newspaper.

Can you laser engrave a mirror? ›

Laser engraving on mirrors is a great way to use your laser and make unique and decorative pieces. The laser works by vaporizing the material off the back of the mirror. The reflective coating is thin, and the laser will remove some of that coating leaving a visible etch in the mirror.

Can you laser engrave crystal? ›

Laser engraving can be used to mark on a wide variety of glass and crystal gifts and awards.

How do you charge for laser engraving? ›

"Laser cost" is typically caluculated at $1 per minute of laser use in the laser processing industry. Therefore, it is easy to determine costs based on various graphics and processing time. In the ballpoint pen example, if your engraving takes 15 seconds, the laser costs will equal to 25 cents per unit.

How much does it cost to run a laser cutter? ›

Laser cutters: Cost anywhere from $13-$20 per hour to run. Water jet cutters: Have a general range of $15-$30 per hour. Overall, the operating costs are fairly similar, and the total cost will depend on your project.

Are laser engravers worth it? ›

Laser engravers are extremely useful because of the variety of materials that they can engrave. You should think about the different projects that you will be working on and the materials that you are engraving before you choose which laser engraver you wish to purchase.

What is air assist on a laser? ›

Air assist for laser cutters helps the machine achieve better engraving or laser cutting results by minimizing heat around the laser head, dissipating heat where the laser contacts the workpiece, removing debris from around the contact point, and preventing the workpiece from burning.

How do you clean a Sculpfun s9 laser? ›

Cleaning the lens of the Sculpfun Laser Engraver - YouTube

What's the best laser engraver? ›

The best laser engravers and cutters in 2021
MachineLaser powerPrice
Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer40W$2,495
TEN-HIGH CO2 40W40W$2,269
FLUX Beambox40W$3,299
Dremel LC40-03 40W CO2 Laser Digilab40W$5,999
2 more rows

What controller is on a Atomstack x7 Pro? ›

There's a 3.5” HD touch-screen controller that's attached magnetically to the front of the engraver. There are two things you can do with this: manage your offline engraving or set up your Wi-Fi connection. If you're going to work offline, you'll need to save your work to the included SD card.

Can lasers engrave in color? ›

Color laser marking, or color laser engraving as it's also known, is the process of adding color to an object that is being marked. “Marking” is the more apt term since engraving removes a portion of the material's surface, creating a cavity, while marking merely “stains” the surface.

What kind of computer do I need for a laser engraver? ›

I suggest nothing less than an i5 processor at 3.5 GHz. The fastest current processors include an Intel i7 at 4.2 GHz or the slightly slower AMD Ryzen 7-1700 3.8 GHz. 32 or 64 Bit: Both are fine for laser engravers but if you are going to upgrade for other reasons, go with the 64-bit processor.

What files can LaserGRBL use? ›

LaserGRBL also support opening pictures and raster images in bmp, jpg, png and gif file format.

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