Laser Cutting - House Number Sign

Introduction

Looking for a creative way to make your home entrance stand out? With just a laser cutter, some acrylic, and a wooden base, you can design a modern, eye-catching house number sign. This project is simple, stylish, and perfect for personalizing your space.

Machine Used

Thunder Bolt 30W

See more details about this machine→

Material Needed

3mm Plywood

3mm Acrylic (any color)

Settings

Cutting

Speed:10mm/s
Max Power:90%
Min Power:10%
Number of Passes:1

Before your work begins

Step 1: Get Materials Ready and Place them on the Laser Bed

Lay your wood sheet flat on the work bed, making sure it’s secured with pins or magnets. Do the same for the acrylic sheet—both materials should stay steady during cutting.

Tips:
There are three common types of pins: T-shaped, L-shaped, and F-shaped. A special use for F-shaped pins is clamping up the plywood to prevent burn marks. Be mindful of the height of the magnets and pins. If they are too tall, the sensor might hit them and become damaged during processing.

3 common types of pins

F-shaped pin usage

Sensor hits a too high pin

Step 2: Open the File and Check the Settings

Either design your personalized layout directly in your laser software (LightBurn, LaserMaker, etc.) or open the template file you downloadedhere. Use vector files for cutting and high-resolution PNG/JPG for photo-style engraves. Scale the artwork to the final physical size, check your units (mm/in), and assign clear layers or colors for engrave vs cut (e.g., red = cut, black = engrave). Make sure cut lines are hairline/stroke-only and that any text is converted to outlines/paths.
Before moving on, tidy the file: ungroup grouped objects, remove hidden layers, and confirm there are no tiny stray nodes. Account for kerf or tab fit where pieces slot together (add/subtract a small offset if needed). Finally, run the software Frame/Preview, save a copy of the project, and — if possible — test a small element on scrap material to verify scale and layer settings.
Tip: If you’re using my downloaded file, double-check its parameters after importing; templates sometimes import at a different DPI or unit.

Step 3: Focus Your Laser Machine

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.

Auto focus

Manual focus

Step 4: Frame the Design and Start Laser Cutting

Use the software’s border option to trace the outline of the design with a red light. This confirms your material placement and avoids wasting materials. Adjust as necessary.

Step 5: Monitor the Laser Cutting Process

Stay close to the machine while it’s running and watch the cutting and engraving progress. Keep an eye out for excessive smoke, small flame-ups, or any movement of the material that could affect the outcome. Make sure your workspace is well-ventilated, and rely on air assist if available to achieve cleaner edges on the wood.

Step 6: Glue/Adhere the Layers Together

Use a strong adhesive suitable for both wood and acrylic. Apply glue to the back of the acrylic numbers and press them firmly onto the wooden base. Make sure they are aligned before the glue sets.

Step 7: Complete the Task

Once the glue has dried, your custom house number sign is complete! Mount it by your door and give your entrance a fresh, personalized look.

Come and Try!

My house number sign is ready—what about yours? With just a few materials and a laser cutter, you can create one that’s even more unique. Try it out and give your home the standout style it deserves.