Use a smooth wooden board suitable for laser cutting, such as birch or maple plywood, about 3 mm thick. Place the wood flat on your laser cutter bed and make sure the surface is clean and free of dust or oil.

Use pins to prevent any shifting during cutting. Be mindful of the height of magnets and pins. If they are too tall, the sensor might hit them and become damaged during processing.

Open your laser software, such as LaserMaker, and import the design file into your laser software. Adjust the layout so it fits properly within your material size.

Before moving on, double-check your engraving and cutting parameters to match the thickness and type of wood you’re using. Make sure the bed size of the holder matches your desired tea light candle. Most standard tea lights are 38 mm in diameter.

Proper focusing ensures neat, polished edges. If your machine has auto focus, use it for quick setup. For manual focusing, lower the laser head with the focus stick until it touches the wood surface at a perfect angle. Always double-check before cutting.

Click “Frame” or “Border” to preview your cutting area and make sure the design fits nicely on your board. This confirms your material placement and avoids wasting wood. Adjust as necessary.

Once everything is set, start the laser job. Stay close to the machine while it’s running and watch the cutting progress. Keep an eye out for excessive smoke, small flame-ups, or any movement of the material that could affect the outcome.

Once all pieces are cut, carefully remove them from the laser bed. Align the interlocking tabs and slots. The design fits snugly without glue, but for your safety, use glue to secure the joints firmly and avoid any accidents.

Gently sand any rough edges if necessary to make assembly smoother. You can apply a light coat of wood oil, wax, or clear varnish for a polished look and extra protection, then let it dry completely.