Laser engrave decorative items with individual cutting lines

Our step by step guide for engraving a decorative item from TroLase shows how to draw a custom cutting line by using anchor points. It also includes important tips and tricks when using laser materials and laser machines. Create a laser engraved and laser cut butterfly, perfectly suited as an interior or exterior decoration.

Instructions on how to laser engrave a decorative item

We created this laser engraved and laser cut butterfly from the laser material TroLase. Find more information about TroLase here


Graphic butterfly
1. Add graphic and draw rectangle

Import any or download our sample graphic and import the graphic into a new Corel Draw file. Draw a rectangle around this graphic (Hairline; Red R:255; G:0; B:0).  Convert the rectangle to  curves.


Convert to curves
2. Convert to single curves and set anchor points

Use the 'Shape tool' to convert the lines in individual curves. Adjust the individual parts to fit the graphic by using anchor points. An anchor point can be set by a double click on the required position and can also be removed in the same manner. Add a circle not larger than 5 mm on top of the butterfly  to hang it up later (Hairline, R:255, G:0, B:0).


Job Control Laser software
3. Send graphic to JobControl®

Enter the dimensions of the graphic, +1 mm in height and width, choose the relevant material and define the process options (process mode standard, 500 dpi, enhanced geometries). Send your graphic to JobControl® by hitting the 'JC' button and choose 'Print'.


Laser engrave decorative item
4. Laser engrave butterfly

Set the engraving start positon to begin at the bottom (find this in the menu 'Plate - Plate setup'). Remove the protection foil from the engraving material and activate the vacuum. Focus the laser beam  - and off you go!


Tips decorative item butterfly
Tips & Tricks
  • Consider the cutting sequence: The cutting lines are considered bottom up in the production process. Therefore, place the outline at the top position in Corel Draw Object Manager.
  • For an increased vacuum strength, cover unused parts of the table with paper.
  • Select the engraving start position as 'bottom'. This prevents deposits from setting on engraved areas which could discolour the product.
  • Use the Z-Offset to obtain a more homogeneous engraving result. Depending upon the design, adjust to max. 3mm in the +.
  • If colour residues are present, check the parameters, focus and that the laminate is flat on the table.