Learn Laser Cutting Design

Learn from Lazer Design School

Learn to design your own laser cutting files for acrylic jewellery in this easy to follow online course.

Our experienced coworker Alex (of Lazer Unicorn) has curated a 6-week online course for you to learn direct from a laser cutting designer, who works here at Vector Etch.

Alex will teach you how to create your own laser cutting files from hand drawn sketches to digital designs. Each week you’ll learn methods to create a design, with new tools and videos on how to use them, with a hands on challenge for you to complete.

By the end of the course, you’ll have all the checklists, templates, methods and how-to tutorials to efficiently and precisely create your own laser cut pieces.

Learn More about Lazer Design School

Workshops

Lazer Unicorn

Laser cut earring making workshops, typically in major Australian cities.

These workshops are hands-on so you can create with pre-laser cut pieces, so you can learn making techniques.

Alex (Lazer Unicorn) is our in-house design consultant here at Vector Etch, and we sponsor her workshops so she can bring you creative earring making workshops.

www.lazerunicorn.co

Instagram @lazer_unicorn_

Learn from Lazer Design School

Learn to design your own laser cutting files for acrylic jewellery with experienced coworker Alex (of Lazer Unicorn) has curated a 6-week online course for you to learn direct from a laser cutting designer, who works here at Vector Etch.

Learn More about Lazer Design School

Design Resources

Vector Etch Creative Market

Designs that we’ve created that could be purchased and laser cut (note: these are designs only and will need to be formatted further to be laser ready). Shop our expanded range of designs.

Vector Etch Creative Market Collections

A great source of templates for silhouettes and icon illustrations. Good quality and reasonably priced. Check out our book marked collections of designs that could be great starting points for jewellery designs.

Learn from Lazer Design School

Learn to design your own laser cutting files for acrylic jewellery in this easy to follow online course from our experienced coworker Alex (of Lazer Unicorn) has curated a 6-week online course for you to learn direct from a laser cutting designer, who works here at Vector Etch.

Alex will teach you how to create your own laser cutting files from hand drawn sketches to digital designs. Each week you’ll learn methods to create a design, with new tools and videos on how to use them, with a hands on challenge for you to complete.

Learn More about Lazer Design School

Graphic Burger

Vector icons perfect for cut, etched or printed charms. Good variety, with most free or discounted.
www.graphicburger.com

Envato Elements

A subscription to design resources including icons, illustrations, backgrounds and fonts.
www.elements.envato.com

Maker Case

Easy website to make laser cut boxes, cases, etc. Type in your dimensions and it will give you a digital file to suit.
www.makercase.com

Thingiverse

DIY laser cut projects.
www.thingiverse.com

Fonts

Font Squirrel

Free resource for fonts and typefaces (all fonts here are Copyright free).
www.fontsquirrel.com

My Fonts

Fonts with purchasable licences for a variety of uses. Regularly has special offers, and discounted bundles/multiple font packs.
www.myfonts.com

Lost Type

A designer type foundry with beautiful fonts, all for a pay-what-you-want system for personal use and low cost for a commercial license.
www.losttype.com

Vector Graphics Software

Adobe Illustrator

The industry-standard vector graphics software lets you create laser ready files easily and quickly.
Buy Adobe Illustrator. Adobe have now released an iPad version of this program as well!

Free 3-Day Challenge – An Introduction to Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting

Have you ever wanted to design your own laser cut designs, and want to learn more about using the software that talks to the laser cutting machines? Our in-house laser cutting designer Alex (of Lazer Unicorn) has curated a free introduction to Adobe Illustrator software so you can commence creating laser cutting vector files. This introduction comes in the form of a free 3-day challenge to design your own earring tops. You’ll receive a video each day that will show you what to do.

This 3-Day Challenge is available online and you can sign up for it for free here.

Start the 3-day Challenge

Gravit

A FREE program that is similar to Adobe Illustrator. If can be accessed via web browser on any type of device (such as a phone or tablet). We commonly work with files made in this program and they seem to work quite well.
Just note, they also have a paid Pro version, you can start a trial on that and when it expires you automatically revert to the free version (no credit card needed).
Access Gravit.

Inkscape

A free alternative to Illustrator that has similar features. In our experience is a little less intuitive to use (when compared to other programs) and can cause glitches with laser files (such as sizing issues, colours changes…).
Access Inkscape.

Corel Draw

Another option that is suitable for laser cutting file setup.
Buy Corel Draw.

Vectornator

Another option that is suitable for laser cutting file setup, and available for tablet and iPad.
Buy Vectornator.

Printing

Fast Printing

For business cards, flyers, stickers, etc. Based in Sydney, Australia.
www.fastprinting.com.au

Jewellery Components

Vector Etch

For jewellery components, including links, jump rings, brooch backs, etc. www.vectoretch.com.au

Transglobal Trading

For bulk jewellery components. Based in Brisbane, Australia.
www.transglobaltrading.com.au

Beads N Crystals

For beads, crystals, tassels, etc. Based in Brisbane, Australia.
www.beadsncrystals.com.au

Art and Craft Supplies

The Art Shed

For art supplies, best for low prices. Also typically sell blank skate decks.
www.artshedbrisbane.com.au

Eckersley’s Art & Craft

Art and craft supplies. Typically have great service and product knowledge, so can be best for visiting in-store if you need help/advice.
www.eckersleys.com.au

Officeworks

Sell Uni Posca Acrylic paint pens at a good price.
www.officeworks.com.au

Ironlak

Quality acrylic paint (paint pens, sprays, etc).
ironlak.com

Materials

My Little Acrylic Shop

Over 300+ varieties of pretty materials, all suitable for laser cutting and engraving.
www.mylittleacrylicshop.com.au

Inventables

US based material sales website (HUGE variety – larger than ours, typically quite pricey).
www.inventables.com

Custom Laser Cutting and Engraving

Vector Etch

Our main business, specialising in fine detail laser cutting and engraving; best suited for jewellery makers, crafters and designers. You can shop from the Vector Etch range of designs, or upload your own vector file to be cut. Based in Brisbane, Australia.
www.vectoretch.com.au

Mad Laser Cutters

Specialising in consultation, vector file design and production for multiple layer/multi-piece brooches. Based in Brisbane, Australia.
www.facebook.com/MADLaserCutters

Studio T55

Specialising in custom cake toppers (includes in-house design work). Well priced, fast turn around. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
www.studiot55.com.au

Lecky Studio

Working with small business to laser cut and UV print their products, signage and promotional needs.
facebook.com/LeckyStudio/

Zap Creatives

Custom UV printed and laser cut acrylic charms. Based in the UK.
www.zapcreatives.co.uk

Ink it Labs

Custom UV printed and laser cut acrylic charms. Based in Austin, Texas.
inkitlabs.com

Laser Cutting at Makerspaces

Check out some of these great makerspaces around Australia (and the world) where you can utilise laser cutters, equipment and tools and create fun things all on your own.

Through our sister business, My Little Acrylic Shop, you can purchase all of your favourite materials that you order through Vector Etch in various sheet sizes, depending on your needs.

Even if you decide it doesn’t interest you in the long-term, we find that learning the process of how laser cutting works can empower you to have a better understanding of how to create designs which are more efficient.

QLD

The Edge

Based at the State Library of Queensland in South Brisbane, Brisbane City.
edgeqld.org.au

Hackerspace Brisbane (HSBNE)

in Eagle Farm, Australia.
hsbne.org

NSW

Makerspace

A community makerspace with creative studios and equipment for hire in Marrickville, Sydney.
makerspace.org.au

SparkCC

SparkCC is a community of makers on the NSW Central Coast, in Somersby, NSW.
sparkcc.org

Makerspace Newcastle

Core Electronics Makerspace upskills makers with new ideas and methods which they can use to create something, even if it’s just for fun.
makerspacenewcastle.com.au

VIC

Space Tank

A studio in Coburg, Melbourne.
spacetankstudio.com.au

Connected Community Hackerspace

A community-operated workshop, where people can meet and work on technology projects in Hawthorn, VIC.
hackmelbourne.org

FAB9

FAB9 is a makerspace that empowers makers in Footscray, VIC.
fab9.com.au

SA

Makerspace Adelaide

Makerspace Adelaide is a community fabrication workshop providing affordable access to a variety of tools and equipment – from laser cutters and sewing machines to 3D printers and traditional hand tools.
makerspaceadelaide.org

SANE Makerspace

SANE is a massive community workshop space for making anything.
sanemakerspace.com

WA

The Perth Artifactory

The Perth Artifactory is the Hackerspace/Makerspace in Perth. They currently occupy a large warehouse unit in Osborne Park and which is populated with tools, technology, desks and workstations.
artifactory.org.au

TAS

Hobart Hackerspace

A community-operated workspace where people with common interests, often in computers, technology, science, digital art or electronic art, can meet, socialise and/or collaborate.
hobarthackerspace.org.au

Acrylic Scrap Resources (Recycling)

As is the case with most creative fields, there is always going to be some wastage from creating tangible objects. Old scratched pieces that are no longer usable or in style, off-cuts from sheets of acrylic, or broken parts that don’t fit in anywhere are all just a part of the business. Instead of popping these straight in the bin during your spring clean-out, why not check out these local Australian businesses that specialise in up-cycling and re-use of craft supplies and offcuts. If you have any suggestions or need for donations, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

QLD:

Reverse Garbage Queensland Co-op Ltd. Woolloongabba (Brisbane). This is a not-for-profit worker run co-operative that promotes environmental sustainability and resource reuse. We collect high quality industrial discards, diverting them away from landfill and sell them at a low cost to the general public. We donate all of our off-cut scraps to here, so you might spot some familiar materials! Read more here.

Sewing for Charity, Waterford. This is a registered charity whose mission is to make and provide handmade items to those suffering from distress, health crisis or disadvantage and the communities that support them. They are passionate about reducing textile waste and wherever possible engage in sustainable practice by upcycling used textiles and offcuts to make handmade items for donation. Read more here.

NSW:

Reverse Garbage. Marrickville (Sydney). A non profit creative reuse centre making a difference in the world by reducing waste and creating change in the way we look at resources. They sell materials low cost through their website and online store, as well as hosting workshops and donating materials as needed to the community. Read more here.

VIC:

Reverse Art Truck. Ringwood (Melbourne). A non profit organisation that collect rejects, seconds and factory offcuts for distribution to schools, early learning centres and the community, that would have otherwise gone into landfills – making them available for the greater community, art educators, artists and crafters of all types. Read more here.

Resource Rescue Inc. Bayswater North (Melbourne). A volunteer-run organisation committed to serving the community and providing education on the benefits of recycling and re-use. They aim to supply the educational community, artists and other resourceful people with discount craft supplies, and reduce the volume of industrial waste going into landfill and save our planet. Read more here.

WA:

REmida Perth Inc. West Perth. This company has grown from humble beginnings to a visionary leader in sustainable reuse, and has a rapidly growing community who want to embrace sustainable practises. Read more here. Read more here.

SA:

Puddle Jumpers. Glandore (Adelaide). Is a non profit, non-government organisation committed to responding to the social development needs of society’s most vulnerable children and young people; priority of our work is reserved for children who do not live with their birth parents. They accept some art and craft supplies for use with their art programs. Read more here.

TAS:

Arts Parts Supply Shop, South Hobart. Arts Parts is a one stop supply shop brimming with materials suitable for creative projects including art and craft, fashion and jewellery making, event decorations and more. Their supplies are available for purchase from their Education Centre in South Hobart. They are always looking for donations of interesting off cuts and objects. Read more here.

Everywhere:

Local schools and OOSH programs. Reach out to your local primary or high schools, as well as after school programs, to see if they accept donations of this kind. Art departments are often under-funded and lacking in art supplies.

Local artists. Reach out to local artists passionate about up-cycling and re-use on Instagram or Facebook in your area. Some artists are always looking for interesting supplies to make eclectic pieces with, and I’m sure would appreciate the donation.

Online marketplaces. Gumtree and Facebook are really easy places to list scraps and offcuts for people who are interested.