Laser Cutting 101

The Laser Cutting Studio is an online business, operating from Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula of Victoria. They service and ship Australia wide.

The Laser Cutting Studio offers laser cutting, engraving, printed invitations, printed signage, neon signs and a full graphic design service for a wide range of event, business and personal items.

So, if you are wondering...”what is laser cutting?” Emma Horkings from The Laser Cutting Studio kindly took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some of my questions. We hope you find this helpful!

Does laser cutting differ from enagraving? Laser cutting is the process of using a powerful laser to cut and/or engrave items from flat sheets of material such as plastic and timber. The laser cutter works by directing a high powered laser beam very precisely at the chosen material to either etch, mark or cut right through. Many of our products are made up of two substrates adhered to each other, resulting in a 3D layered finish. This technique allows for many different colour combinations.

Engraving uses one substrate with the top layer ‘burned away’ to reveal the image in a contrasting colour. Engraving is often used when text is too small to be layered - such as in Seating Charts. There are limitations in regards to which materials can be engraved, as the contrast on some colours such as pastels is not enough to be easily legible. The colour chart on our website can be referenced to see the engraving visibility on our most popular materials.

Is laser cutting a new technique? Or has it been around for a while? Laser cutting has been around for many years. As technology has advanced, a wider range of machines are now available to purchase for more domestic use and with varying quality levels. Each machine has it’s own unique limitations on which materials it can engrave, as well as the thickness of material it can cut through. Our machine was selected based on it’s ability to achieve high quality results for our clients. How long have you been in the business? Our business started as a one-woman show in 2017. Emma C. took the plunge and purchased a laser machine, learning all about the machine, materials and techniques from scratch. In 2019 Emma H. came on board as the business grew busier. We have worked together and been friends for over a decade, so it made sense to combine our skills and join forces.

What can you laser cut? The main materials we work with are timber and acrylic (plastic), however there are many more substrates we can work with. You can find a full list of what our machine can cut and engrave on the FAQ section of our website. It always pays to ask if we are able to do something, as our online store only shows a snippet of what we can achieve.

How does your business work, do you simply purchase goods online and you manage the rest? We design and develop our products in-house. We have some great Aussie suppliers we work with to order our substrates, which is done both online and by Emma C. going out and physically selecting the best timbers. The rest (quotes, design & development, advertising, website, production, delivery/pickup & accounts) is managed between the two of us. Emma C. is usually ‘on the tools’, ordering and quoting, while Emma H. manages design, website and advertising. We are also lucky enough to have some wonderful family members who support us and help out in busy times.

You provide all types of items from gifts, to personalised items, signage, invitations and so much more - what is your most popular item? The majority of our items are personalised, which we believe is the standout reason people like to work with us. We have a few popular items including Alphabet Learning Boards for kids, Colour My Way Timber Art Panels and our Pet Christmas Baubles are always a favourite!

In regards to weddings, Welcome Signs, Seating Charts and Wishing Wells are popular, as well as Place Names for guests, Menus, Table Numbers and Ring Boxes.

Do you update your items regularly? We have worked very hard over the past couple of years to develop our website and all of the products that are now in our online store. We update some of our designs from year-to-year and are always adding new products.

What is looking to be a hot (on trend item) this event season/wedding season? Arch shaped signage is popular, as well as neutral colours such as blush. We offer custom design so that all couples can be wrapped with the look and feel of their big day, regardless of what is ‘on trend’.

I can see how your items would be suitable for all types of events from corporate events through to weddings. What item(s) have you had the most enjoyment seeing come to reality at an event? We worked with Astrid Styling on a wedding where we donated some food truck menus. We had so much creative freedom and fun putting these together, layering different elements and colours. The ‘Waffle Stall” menu was particularly fun as we made a layered timber waffle with yellow syrup dripping off it.

In your mind, what items have the most impact at events? Large signage such as Welcome Signs and Seating Charts are always eye catching and impressive. Guests also love personalised items such as table names or personalised drink markers that they can take home with them as a memento. If your budget allows, you cannot go wrong with a custom neon sign that you can keep (and be blinded by) for years to come!

Any tips or tricks when selecting a sign for a particular event? When selecting a sign for an event you do need to consider your lighting conditions (reflections affecting legibility), weather conditions (such as wind) and how the sign will be displayed (easel, hanging).

We advise clients on the best way to display their signage and any potential issues that might arise. Any tips on choosing NEON lighting colours? Or signage colours? Neon colours are a personal choice and they all look great! If couples want to keep it neutral we always recommend the warm white neon colour (as seen on our ‘Lovers’ neon sign, pg 4).

Clear and frosted acrylic are always popular for weddings as they engrave with a white finish, which gives great contrast for legibility. They are also in the lower bracket of the price range - bonus! For that extra touch of glam; you can’t go wrong with gold, pink rose gold or bronze rose gold mirrored acrylics. If you like the natural feel of timber, we offer light timber and stained timber options which look fantastic with contrasting layered acrylic lettering.

Can you print brands/logos on signage? We can print full colour lightweight foamcore signs and can provide vinyl decal lettering onto acrylic & timber.

Do you have any special offers available for Weddings? We know wedding planning can be stressful (not to mention when it’s during a worldwide pandemic)! Our hearts go out to all of the couples that have had to postpone their celebrations, often multiple times, during the last 18 months.

We always aim to make our ordering process as streamlined and stress-free as possible. We have had many clients comment on how easy we are to work with, who also love the quality of our products. For this reason we keep our prices very reasonable, and even offer a 10% discount when couples order 4 or more items!

The Laser Cutting Studio Online Business Services: Australia Wide

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Featured Items: Welcome Signage Arched Signage Wishing Well Menu Signage

Images supplied by The Laser Cutting Studio and Tempus Media Co.