Laser Cut Pokemon Gym Badges

A couple weeks ago, I came across some Pokemon Gym badges for sale and thought they looked cool. I wanted to make them myself, but wasn't sure how. Then I learned how to use the laser cutter :)

I made this at Techshop in SF!

Indigo League Badges: (They are in order on my shirt)

Boulder Badge
Cascade Badge
Thunder Badge
Rainbow Badge
Soul Badge
Marsh Badge
Volcano Badge
Earth Badge
Source

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Step 1: Supplies

What you need:

Wood or Acrylic for your badges (I originally planned to do clear acrylic, but then I remembered I was going to glue something to the back so decided against it.)
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Contact Cement

h0n3y5un5h1n3 says: Feb 13, 2013. 6:59 PM

These are wicked, and look rather sophisticated made out of wood.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to h0n3y5un5h1n3Feb 13, 2013. 7:06 PM

Thank you :) I wanted to do them out of acrylic originally, but I'm glad I went with wood!

IBreakHeavyStuff says: Dec 10, 2012. 10:31 PM

Any chance of getting them in .svg or even .ai format? I only have inkscape, which doesn't import .eps files. Thanks a bunch!

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to IBreakHeavyStuffDec 10, 2012. 10:59 PM

Does that one work?

IBreakHeavyStuff in reply to Penolopy BulnickDec 12, 2012. 9:08 PM

Yes, thank-you! My kid brother will love these (awesome stocking stuffer). I'm going to do them in mdf and then paint them.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to IBreakHeavyStuffJan 18, 2013. 3:56 PM

Sounds awesome! Would you post a picture when you're done so I can see how they turned out?

toxicpaw100 says: Dec 2, 2012. 3:41 PM

i am wanting to do this but i don,t have a laser cutter do you know any place i could get 1

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to toxicpaw100Dec 3, 2012. 11:03 AM

I know they sell them different places online like Hurricane Lasers and Inventables. Or you can use laser cutters at different Techshops :)

pegasos says: Sep 12, 2012. 12:17 PM

This is perfect!!! my little brother will love it!!!

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to pegasosOct 26, 2012. 2:53 PM

Awesome, awesome! That's what I like to hear!

ssquiggle says: Oct 26, 2012. 2:46 PM

This is gorgeous - I thought making the star shape in illustrator with two overlapping squares was pretty genius.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to ssquiggleOct 26, 2012. 2:48 PM

And the funny thing is, I didn't figure that out until after spending a whole bunch of time trying to draw it :D

TwistedJack says: Aug 9, 2012. 10:50 AM

do you remember the speed and power settings you used to cut and engrave them, or was it one with a setting pre-made for wood?

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to TwistedJackAug 9, 2012. 11:14 AM

I used what a book said to use for wood and the type of Laser Cutter we have. I don't have the numbers with me now, but I can get them to you later today!

TwistedJack in reply to Penolopy BulnickAug 14, 2012. 4:38 PM

its alright i managed without it. By the way my friend loves them.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to TwistedJackAug 14, 2012. 4:44 PM

Awesome. Yeah, I just used the default settings for wood. Did you take a picture of them?

Thergox says: Jul 20, 2012. 9:06 AM

Where can I get my hands on a laser cutter?! Uber EPIC, these are. . .

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to ThergoxJul 20, 2012. 9:12 AM

Thanks! You can actually win one in the Hurricane Laser Contest!

Thergox in reply to Penolopy BulnickJul 20, 2012. 9:31 AM

Unfortunately, I am not capable of something that would fit in the contest, and even then, I don't have anywhere to put it. But thanks for the heads up.

gabrieltaft says: Jun 19, 2012. 6:19 PM

OMG These are the coolest things ever!

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to gabrieltaftJun 26, 2012. 4:26 PM

Yeah, they're pretty awesome, aren't they!?!

The Science Guy says: Jun 25, 2012. 1:22 PM

Are you pulling my Pikachu?!

These are the some of the most awesome things ever!

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to The Science GuyJun 26, 2012. 4:26 PM

Thanks :D I'm quite proud of them!

DucttapeNinja says: Jun 26, 2012. 4:23 PM

Had you not mentioned wood or acrylic I would swear these things are made of win.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to DucttapeNinjaJun 26, 2012. 4:26 PM

Haha! Awesome :)

Dusk Shadows says: Jun 7, 2012. 7:37 PM

OMG you have definitely caught them all you rock!!!!!

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to Dusk ShadowsJun 12, 2012. 11:59 AM

Thanks Dusk!

Dusk Shadows in reply to Penolopy BulnickJun 12, 2012. 5:25 PM

it's ok

HMice says: Jun 9, 2012. 7:34 PM

Will you make the Johto and Hoenn and Sinnoh and Unova badges?

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to HMiceJun 12, 2012. 11:59 AM

Possibly, if I can find the time to design them up :)

HMice in reply to Penolopy BulnickJun 12, 2012. 1:55 PM

Great!

urtlesquirt says: Jun 6, 2012. 2:10 PM

Which game are these from?

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to urtlesquirtJun 6, 2012. 2:12 PM

Should be red and blue, if I recall correctly :) They are from the Indigo league.

urtlesquirt in reply to Penolopy BulnickJun 6, 2012. 2:14 PM

Coolio, thanks.

HMice in reply to urtlesquirtJun 9, 2012. 7:33 PM

Also Firered and Leafgreen

Treasure Tabby says: Jun 5, 2012. 8:51 PM

You could probably use acrylic but you might have to either use epoxy for gluing or just melt with a hot nail or something.
None the less, its very neat. Its too bad you can't plate them in some kind of shiny medal.

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Penolopy Bulnick (author) in reply to Treasure TabbyJun 6, 2012. 11:06 AM

I'm sure there is a glue that would work with acrylic. My main concern is that I wanted to use clear acrylic and the pin I glued to the back would show through to the front. I also think it would be fun to see some kind of shiny metal on it :)