What can you make with acrylic on a Glowforge?
Creators and entrepreneurs have used the power of Glowforge to create their own 3D designs, from ornaments to furniture, and more. Just start with an idea, design it using common software such as Inkscape or Canva, and bring it to life at the touch of a button. With Glowforge, even a photo or a simple pen drawing can become something beautiful and unique!
There's no end to the kinds of products you can create - but what kind of materials can you use?
Here we answer some of the most common questions creators ask us about materials, including "Can Glowforge cut acrylic?", "Can Glowforge cut plastic?’" and "Can Glowforge cut plexiglass?"
What Does a Glowforge Do?
So, what does a Glowforge do?
In simple terms, Glowforge is a 3D laser. A Glowforge can carve and engrave a range of organic and inorganic materials such as recycled cardboard, wood, metal, leather, and even chocolate!
What Can I Make With a Glowforge?
"What can a Glowforge do?" That's one of the most common questions customers (and prospective customers) ask us.
To that we say, "Think outside the box, and then think again." There's really no end to the number of gifts, crafts, and furnishings that you can create with our Glowforge 3D laser.
You can start with loading simple designs into your Glowforge, or jump right to large-scale projects; lots of people use Glowforge’s cutting-edge laser for multi-part builds, then fit the pieces together into something magical. Within minutes you can assemble the pieces and see your vision come to life. And the pieces are sure to come together thanks to a laser that is accurate to within 1/1000th of an inch - that’s the width of a human hair!
So, what can you make with a Glowforge?
Take something from your day-to-day life. How about a cup lid? Or maybe something a little fancier, such as a stained glass lamp? With Glowforge, you can transform standard designs into unique creations and even elevate boring objects into personalized gifts.
The in-built Autofocus feature automatically measures your material's height, which lets creators engrave personal objects such as tablets and laptops without worry.
If you have any questions, you can connect with other creators in the community. Our community platform is built for makers, creators, and entrepreneurs like you to share their personal projects. It's an invaluable resource for people who are just beginning their Glowforge journey.
Can Glowforge Cut Acrylic?
Glowforge creators often ask about cutting acrylic. Some also ask "Can Glowforge cut plastic?" or "Can Glowforge cut plexiglass?" These are related questions, and it’s important to remember that while the terms “plastic” and “acrylic” are often casually used interchangeably, they are not the same. While acrylic is one type of plastic that can be laser cut (more on that later), not all plastics can be laser cut. Plexiglass, on the other hand, is a type of acrylic, commonly made clear or translucent.
So yes, a Glowforge can cut acrylic just as easily as it can cut through wood slats and pieces of leather.
Examples of Glowforge Acrylic Creations
So, what can you make with a Glowforge and acrylic?
Our Glowforge creators have made all sorts of eye-catching pieces, from the purely aesthetic to practical pieces that can be printed in bulk and sold in online shops such as Etsy. The versatility of acrylic makes it a great choice for a wide range of projects.
Acrylic is also waterproof and easy to clean, perfect for products that might become dirty from continual use or ones that need to weather the great outdoors. Entrepreneurs can easily create items such as themed cake toppers and retro bird feeders.
Acrylic is also one of the few materials that can be either translucent or transparent. Glowforge creators take advantage of this unique property to create unique ornaments such as this shadowbox. This creator has layered pieces of acrylic to create a 3D setting of a winter wonderland. Each piece of acrylic can be pulled out of the shadowbox and used as a coaster.
Proofgrade Acrylics
We sell a range of Proofgrade materials designed for Glowforge printers, from high-quality Proofgrade hardwood, plywood, leather, and acrylic products for our creators.
Acrylics are manufactured in two ways: extruded or cast. While cast acrylic is more expensive to manufacture, it's a much better material to use with lasers: it's much more pliable than extruded acrylic, and guarantees a smoother, more polished, and unblemished finish. It's far less likely to get scratched, chipped or bent, which makes it perfect for creatives who want finished products that last.
All of the products in our Proofgrade acrylic range are cast acrylics, available in 1/8” and 1/4” thicknesses. They also come in range of colors, including Fluorescent Pink and Teal.
Personalize Your World
Discover Glowforge’s unique potential today with a product demo. Our experts will answer all your burning questions and explain how Glowforge can help you meet your creative goals. Book a demo here.
