How to make laser-cut Holiday decorations

This Instructable shows you how to make simple laser-cut decorations for the Holidays using Ponoko. If you've never worked with a laser-cutter or have only used a vector art package once or twice before, then this guide is for you.

After my last Instructable on making a laser-cut lamp, I wanted to create a clearer step-by-step guide. As long as you've got a computer that can run a vector software package you'll be able to achieve some very cool results.

If you prefer to skip the Instructable and just get making, feel free to download the .eps files I've already created.

Let me know how you get on!

Step 1: Stuff you'll need

You'll only need a few things for this Instructable:

A steady hand
Inkscape
Ribbon/String/Cord/Twine - we used elasticated ribbon
Ponoko Inkscape templates

Comments

[hueska]

If Anyone wants to convert any Raster image (bmp, jpg, gif, tif.....) just contact me i can do so for you, with top notch technology and fast. Just Contact me [e-mail]

[Joe426]

Ponoko is great, but they could me SOOOO Much better if they didn't charge $60 base price to ship to USA

[Dogic]

Hey Joe426, I work at Ponoko ... and yes we agree with you whole heartedly! Here's what we are doing about it: 1) For people who upload their design files to get an instant price to make something, we offer free shipping every so often as a way of saying "we appreciate you want to make something but the shipping cost stands in your way, so here's a 'big thanks' for your patience while we set up our US operation to knock out the high shipping costs". 2) We are about to open our US based digital manufacturing operation - meaning all shipping to the US will be from within the US. Yippeee! We can not wait :)

[Joe426]

Dogic, Awesome, glad to hear you guys are finally expanding. I didn't know you guys had free shipping days, I wish you would have email us members? Maybe I missed it. When you get US operations going, I'm definately using you guys for projects I post on my site - www.HacknMod.com

[Dogic]

Cool hacks on yer site. Date to be officially announced, but Q1 2008.

[Joe426]

Thanks, glad you liked it.

HacknMod.com

[Wishywash]

Ahem... Wasn't this instructable more about using Ponoko (see 'How to make a laser cut lamp)?

[Kiteman]

It is, but he's open and up-front about it. The Ponoko idea really appeals to me, but, as for Joe426 in the US, postage is a problem for me in the UK - can't wait for a Euro-branch...

[GorillazMiko]

very nice, i was planning on doing the instructables robot.