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Thread: Help cut mdf and sticker at the same time.

  1. #1

    Help cut mdf and sticker at the same time.

    Hello people.

    Anyone know any trick to cut mdf with sticker.

    My problem is the alignment.
    hit bottom sticker of mdf, so the laser does not burn sticker, but it is very difficult to align.

    Thank you very much.

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by mariano peņa ascanio View Post
    Hello people.

    Anyone know any trick to cut mdf with sticker.

    My problem is the alignment.
    hit bottom sticker of mdf, so the laser does not burn sticker, but it is very difficult to align.

    Thank you very much.
    Lots an lots of trial and error and it won't be very consistent from one board to another board.

  3. #3
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    I do that all the time with "stickers" on acrylic on my 12"x24" laser. . It will not burn the sticker if you apply transfer tape on top and mist with water before cutting unless it's thick and you have to go slow or do multiple passes. For alignment, are you doing more than one at a time? Most of mine have been 10-20 depending on size, on a 12x24" sheet. When printing the stickers I have a 11.5"x23.5" vector line around them and invisible vector lines around each sticker. After printing, cut with straight edge on the 11.5"x23.5 printed line. Then use the same file and line to cut the wood after making sure the 12x24 piece is masking taped around the edges to make sure it doesn't move. Remove the 11.5"x23.5 piece of wood and apply the stickers exactly to the edges you cut on that printed line. Then insert back into the frame left in the laser, and cut them out after making the invisible cut lines visible again on the print file. Comes out perfect. You could do the same process with just one.



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

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  4. #4
    Join Date
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    North Coast, NSW, Australia
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Pelonio View Post
    I do that all the time with "stickers" on acrylic on my 12"x24" laser. . It will not burn the sticker if you apply transfer tape on top and mist with water before cutting unless it's thick and you have to go slow or do multiple passes. For alignment, are you doing more than one at a time? Most of mine have been 10-20 depending on size, on a 12x24" sheet. When printing the stickers I have a 11.5"x23.5" vector line around them and invisible vector lines around each sticker. After printing, cut with straight edge on the 11.5"x23.5 printed line. Then use the same file and line to cut the wood after making sure the 12x24 piece is masking taped around the edges to make sure it doesn't move. Remove the 11.5"x23.5 piece of wood and apply the stickers exactly to the edges you cut on that printed line. Then insert back into the frame left in the laser, and cut them out after making the invisible cut lines visible again on the print file. Comes out perfect. You could do the same process with just one.
    What sort of stickers are you using? I have a low tack transfer tape and it still rips the stickers when I remove it...
    Vector Etch Laser Cutting & Engraving
    Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Trotec Speedy 360 120W
    Trotec Speedy 100 60W

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Inkjet (HP Designjet, made for outdoor durable signs) printed on adhesive film (like vinyl but polyester). If you are using a paper based sticker, then you might have to do a clear laminate over it first.

    http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetPDF....80-7809EEE.pdf



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

    "The handyman's secret weapon - Duct Tape" R. Green

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Iowa USA
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    And a "sticker" looks like ? Are we talking about some sort of decorative printing stuck on some MDF or sign board?
    Retired Guy- Central Iowa.HVAC/R , Cloudray Galvo Fiber , -Windows 10

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bill George View Post
    And a "sticker" looks like ? Are we talking about some sort of decorative printing stuck on some MDF or sign board?
    Some examples for me are logos for a professional sports team, cut around the logo to mount on lockers along with name plate, company logos cut to mount on office door plaques, and apartment numbers to mount on the carports at large apartment buildings. Almost always 1/8" or 1/4" acrylic.



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

    "The handyman's secret weapon - Duct Tape" R. Green

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