Do you have a hand-drawn design that you want to laser-cut, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of converting it to a digital file? Have no fear! The Glowforge is able to take a photo of your hand-drawn designs and convert them into digital files, so that you can go from sketch to cut in a matter of minutes! Follow the steps below, and you’ll have your new laser-cut treasure in no time.
Want to see what this is all about? Take a look at this video before you begin!
Video Demo
🚨 Safety First!
STOP RIGHT THERE! Some things to remember before you begin:
- Never walk away from the Glowforge while the machine is on
- Locate and turn on the ventilation switch before using the Glowforge
- Double check that the fire blanket is nearby
- Make sure to turn off the Glowforge once your design is done
Step 1: Draw Something!
The first thing you need to do is draw your design. It could be a new logo for your business, a sketch of your pet rat, or a hand-written letter to send to your grandma for her birthday– it’s up to you! Just draw something! Anything!
Step 2: Login to the Glowforge site
Work with an educator to log onto https://app.glowforge.com
Step 3: Turn on the Glowforge
The power switch is on the back
Step 4: Place your design
Place your sketch in the bed of the laser cutter.
Step 5: Trace your design
On the Glowforge site, click the “Trace” button in the top left corner of the screen.
Step 6: Select your design
Draw a square around the design you want to trace. The app will ask you to do this, like so:
Step 7: Remove white space
The app will ask you to select any white space you want to remove (this is how you tell the Glowforge you want to cut around the edge of your shape). Once you have clicked the white space, a purple “cut line” will appear around your shape. Make sure it is correct before moving to the next step.
Step 8: Place your work
Press the “Place artwork” button in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 9: Load your material
Remove your hand-drawn design from the bed of the Glowforge, and replace it with the material you want to cut (we recommend using Proofgrade materials).
Step 10: Update the view
Refresh the bed image, by clicking the gear icon on the far-right side of the toolbar and selecting “refresh bed image.” Now you should be able to see your material in the bed.
Step 11: Place your design
Drag and drop your design to wherever you want to place it on the material. You can resize or rotate if needed.
Step 12: Turn on the ventilation
🚨 Safety First!
STOP RIGHT THERE!
Before you go any further, make sure the ventilation is turned on!
Step 13: Send your design to print
If you’re happy with the placement of your design you should be ready to cut. Press the “print” button on the top right corner of the screen.
🚨 Safety First!
STOP RIGHT THERE!
Make sure you are watching the Glowforge for the entire time it is cutting. If you see the material begin to catch fire, open the lid and use the fire blanket (located next to the machine) if needed. Alert an educator about what happened.
Step 14: Cut your design!
Once the Glowforge is ready to cut, the blue print button on the machine will start flashing. Press that button, and let the cutting begin!
Once the Glowforge is done cutting you can open the lid and appreciate the beauty of your hand-drawn, laser-cut creation!
Step 15: Turn off the Glowforge
If you’re done using the Glowforge, remember to turn off the machine.