After years of perfecting our craft, we have officially launched The Ultimate Glowforge Guide! Included are 13 files/products for you to sell year round, videos on how to edit those items, setting we use, materials we use, as well as pricing and marketing assistance. Check out our Ultimate Guide here: 85thandpine.com/products/the-ultimate-glowforge-guide
Catherine! You are amazing and such a great instructor. I am going to be watching your videos over and over because I am seriously intimidated and don't know what I am doing! Great job!
Thank you so much for the compliments! I really appreciate that :) And I completely understand, I was intimidated at first too, but after a lot of video watching and trial and error, it's much much easier!! You'll get there :)
Love the tutorial and your projects! Just got a Muse 3D myself. I am making my nieces these for Christmas. Your videos are very awesome! Subscribed and looking forward to more!! Thank you!
Thanks Amy! From what it looks like on the premium service Glowforge offers on their app, you can only make a square shape and not a rectangle. You can add text, but they only have certain fonts to use. So, ideally, it would work best with Inkscape.
This was great content. I have a question... did you undercoat or prime the letters before you painted them? I can't seem to get the quality finish that you are getting and would appreciate any tips you may have. The inkscape tutorials have been really useful too, many thanks
Hi Stuart! I'm glad these videos have been helpful. I did not prime the letters first but I did apply a couple of coats to the unfinished wood. I also found that using chalk paints can give a nicer finish, but that's just in my opinion.
Sorry, one more question....and your tutorial is excellent by the way! My font is "jellee" but it looks much thicker around the edges than yours. Wondering if that will affect the cutting on the forge?
Thank you! And no, the stroke lines shouldn’t matter how thick they are but you can adjust the thickness by going to Object - Fill and Stroke, the decrease the thickness of the stroke.
No problem! Glad to help. I charged a starting cost at $34 but then I increased it since it became very popular and was tough to keep up with demand. So then I charged about $45.
I am new to making. I have a Glowforge that I have barely touched becuase I am so afraid of using it. Your videos help and inspire me so much... lol... where do you get your baltic birch?
Hi Kristina! Last year we actually switched over to Home Depot for our birch supply. Here's the linkwww.homedepot.com/p/Columbia-Forest-Products-5-32-in-x-1-ft-x-1-ft-7-in-PureBond-Birch-Plywood-Project-Panel-10-Pack-5534/315126783 Glad the videos are helping!
Thank you for the work you put in to sharing videos. I refer all of the new maker space participants to your videos and site. The puzzle pieces fit pretty tight for little kids, so I’m trying to figure out how to make the gap a little easier (as if the laser beam made a thicker cut). I’ve tried minimally increasing the font size and also tried different approaches using offsets, but none have resulted in success. Do you have any tips that you are willing to share please? Thank you.
Thank you so much, Joe, I really appreciate that! And yes, I think I can help with this. So, once you create your text and place it in the puzzle area, you can then copy and paste that same text and go to Path - Inset. This makes the text thinner all around. You can then use this newly edited text as the puzzle pieces. It may be a little extra printing but it works!
Your videos have been very helpful and I used your referral code for my Glowforge, thank you! I’m wondering if you seal the rest of the wood at all to give it a nicer finish rather than leaving the wood as is? Thanks!
Thank you so very much Alyssa!! My family and I really do appreciate you using my code. Excited for your new journey! I personally like the wood unfinished for the look but you can use a clear coat of finish, either spray from a can (rustoleum poly clear from Joann’s for example) or one that you rub on.
Hi! Unfortunately, paint doesn’t soak in well on finished surfaces... I learned that while trying it myself. It does work with several coats of paint but it doesn’t absorb very well so I wouldn’t recommend it. You can try sanding first which should help! And, wood glue doesn’t work with finished surfaces so I would recommend E6000 Plus or something similar to glue the finished boards together.
I watched the video twice (thank you btw) I was trying to see what kind of wood that was and where did you get it? I liked that you didn't have to sand it. I want to be able to make my son one but not having to sand it is so much better.
I would personally use any acrylic non toxic paint. It should have a certification on the label stating that it is non toxic. However, I would also only advertise something like this for children over 3 years and recommend that children are monitored so they don’t put the pieces in their mouths.
Hi Catherine. I have made the puzzle in Inkscape following all the directions but when I import to Glowforge, the edges of the puzzle are not rounded. I have done all I can think of! Help!
Hi Katey! That's so odd! Maybe try selecting the puzzle after you designed it and once selected, go to Path - Object to Path. If this doesn't work, you can also try saving it in a different format on your computer (Plain SVG, PDF, etc) and I would think that should help. It's weird that the corners aren't rounded after you upload it to the Glowforge app - I honestly haven't had that issue. Hope this can help!
The letters fall out easily when the puzzle is turned over. You can add shapes or characters to the puzzle as you see fit. This was just for tutorial purposes. I encourage you to make them your own!
I am having trouble right in the beginning....the 19x11.5 box I make isn't centered in the screen. I've tried zoom and some other things but I am very new to inkscape. Please help :)
Hi Michelle! Once you create the document size on Inkscape, you should be able to scroll left to right, up and down on your screen to see it centered better. There’s really no “center” on the program, you just have to manually move the screen with the scroll bars.
Hi, thanks for the tutorial, I was wondering, as babies and toddlers stick everything in their mouth do you think that the burnt edges of the wood are safe, or should the parents need to be warned that it's not suitable for kids to put in their mouths?
@@85thandPine for some reason I'm getting more charing then I feel like I should be getting. :/ are they any tips to help prevent that? I just got my Basic the end of October and used your code! You were my inspiration to take the leap on the forge! I'm a mama of a little boy and I'm making this my job as well♥️
@@brittany684 assuming you are masking your material? The edges usually burn, and we wipe them down, but if there is significant burning, I would play with the setting a little more. The height and speed are the two factors I would change the most. I found the slower the speed, the more apt burning was to occur.
I am new at using Inkscape and the glowforge. I followed your video but when I upload my image to glowforge it says your text has been removed. The outlines for everything are like little dots not a solid line to be cut. I made sure to do the object to path but even the outline for the name board is dotted lines and not a solid line to be cut.
@@brittany684 Hi Brittany! I use paper masking tape from Vinyl Ease. They don’t recommend to use with lasers because of possible fire but I haven’t had issues and I know a lot of people use it. I do mask both sides. Here is the link to Amazon... Vinyl Ease 12 inch x 100 feet roll of Paper Transfer Tape with a Medium to High Tack Layflat Adhesive. Works with a Variety of Vinyl. Great for Decals, Signs, Wall Words and More. American Made V0821 www.amazon.com/dp/B07DF7TDSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B3N13CJZZET93AWR5PHG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I’ve used a sealer in the past, non toxic from Waverly. You can find it at Walmart. There are other dealers but that’s the one I’ve used. I only tried that a few times, so for the most part I did not seal the letters and left them with bare paint.
After years of perfecting our craft, we have officially launched The Ultimate Glowforge Guide! Included are 13 files/products for you to sell year round, videos on how to edit those items, setting we use, materials we use, as well as pricing and marketing assistance. Check out our Ultimate Guide here: 85thandpine.com/products/the-ultimate-glowforge-guide
Catherine, I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this one year!
You’ve totally mastered the software
Thank you Allison! I wouldn’t say mastered just yet, but I’m MUCH better than I was when I started 😀
With your tutorial I was able to make 2 very nice name puzzles with my Glowforge to give to friends with little children. Thank you.
That’s awesome! Glad I could help! :)
Catherine! You are amazing and such a great instructor. I am going to be watching your videos over and over because I am seriously intimidated and don't know what I am doing! Great job!
Thank you so much for the compliments! I really appreciate that :) And I completely understand, I was intimidated at first too, but after a lot of video watching and trial and error, it's much much easier!! You'll get there :)
The document size drives me crazy in inkscape and I had no idea I could change it. Thank you!
Thank you for a great video, very clear and easy to follow.
You’re welcome Olga! Thank you.
Love the tutorial and your projects! Just got a Muse 3D myself. I am making my nieces these for Christmas. Your videos are very awesome! Subscribed and looking forward to more!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the kind words! Glad this was helpful for you and good luck!!
This is awesome!! I appreciate the step by step process using Inkscape and the gf!!
Thank you! Glad it’s helpful!
Thanks. Nice and clear explanation.
Thanks John!
I’m so impressed how you didn’t get paint down the sides of your letters! Great tutorial. Thank you!
Thank you! Haha, it can be tricky!
Just ordered a Glowforge!! Thank you for the referral code!
Thank you so very much Valerie!! It’s greatly appreciated. I’m excited for you!!
Used your link! Thank you!
Thank you Alana! It is so appreciated by me and my family! I’m excited for you! :)
Love the way you teach! I'm very new to this and not ready to try Inkscape yet. Can I make this design or similar in the glowforge app?
Thanks Amy! From what it looks like on the premium service Glowforge offers on their app, you can only make a square shape and not a rectangle. You can add text, but they only have certain fonts to use. So, ideally, it would work best with Inkscape.
This was great content. I have a question... did you undercoat or prime the letters before you painted them? I can't seem to get the quality finish that you are getting and would appreciate any tips you may have. The inkscape tutorials have been really useful too, many thanks
Hi Stuart! I'm glad these videos have been helpful. I did not prime the letters first but I did apply a couple of coats to the unfinished wood. I also found that using chalk paints can give a nicer finish, but that's just in my opinion.
Sorry, one more question....and your tutorial is excellent by the way! My font is "jellee" but it looks much thicker around the edges than yours. Wondering if that will affect the cutting on the forge?
Thank you! And no, the stroke lines shouldn’t matter how thick they are but you can adjust the thickness by going to Object - Fill and Stroke, the decrease the thickness of the stroke.
Thank you for your time. Loved the video. Could you tell me how much you would charge for this puzzle?
No problem! Glad to help. I charged a starting cost at $34 but then I increased it since it became very popular and was tough to keep up with demand. So then I charged about $45.
I am new to making. I have a Glowforge that I have barely touched becuase I am so afraid of using it. Your videos help and inspire me so much... lol... where do you get your baltic birch?
Hi Kristina! Last year we actually switched over to Home Depot for our birch supply. Here's the linkwww.homedepot.com/p/Columbia-Forest-Products-5-32-in-x-1-ft-x-1-ft-7-in-PureBond-Birch-Plywood-Project-Panel-10-Pack-5534/315126783 Glad the videos are helping!
Thank you for the work you put in to sharing videos. I refer all of the new maker space participants to your videos and site. The puzzle pieces fit pretty tight for little kids, so I’m trying to figure out how to make the gap a little easier (as if the laser beam made a thicker cut). I’ve tried minimally increasing the font size and also tried different approaches using offsets, but none have resulted in success. Do you have any tips that you are willing to share please? Thank you.
Thank you so much, Joe, I really appreciate that! And yes, I think I can help with this. So, once you create your text and place it in the puzzle area, you can then copy and paste that same text and go to Path - Inset. This makes the text thinner all around. You can then use this newly edited text as the puzzle pieces. It may be a little extra printing but it works!
@@85thandPine Thank you. I will try that on my next trip to the lab. What I've tried makes the text thicker for engraving, but not for cutting.
Your videos have been very helpful and I used your referral code for my Glowforge, thank you! I’m wondering if you seal the rest of the wood at all to give it a nicer finish rather than leaving the wood as is? Thanks!
Thank you so very much Alyssa!! My family and I really do appreciate you using my code. Excited for your new journey! I personally like the wood unfinished for the look but you can use a clear coat of finish, either spray from a can (rustoleum poly clear from Joann’s for example) or one that you rub on.
@@85thandPine Thank you so much!! :)
I am new to this with finish material do you have to sand it first before paiting or cau you paint over finish wood
Hi! Unfortunately, paint doesn’t soak in well on finished surfaces... I learned that while trying it myself. It does work with several coats of paint but it doesn’t absorb very well so I wouldn’t recommend it. You can try sanding first which should help! And, wood glue doesn’t work with finished surfaces so I would recommend E6000 Plus or something similar to glue the finished boards together.
I watched the video twice (thank you btw) I was trying to see what kind of wood that was and where did you get it? I liked that you didn't have to sand it. I want to be able to make my son one but not having to sand it is so much better.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching. I used 1/4” Baltic birch plywood from smokeyhilldesigns.com :)
@@85thandPine love the content. I just came across you and subscribed. You're amazing. Thanks for the link 🥰
@@J0BeKillinEM Thank you so much!! That's so kind of you! :)
Someone asked me about kid safe paint what would you suggest ?
I would personally use any acrylic non toxic paint. It should have a certification on the label stating that it is non toxic. However, I would also only advertise something like this for children over 3 years and recommend that children are monitored so they don’t put the pieces in their mouths.
Hi Catherine. I have made the puzzle in Inkscape following all the directions but when I import to Glowforge, the edges of the puzzle are not rounded. I have done all I can think of! Help!
Hi Katey! That's so odd! Maybe try selecting the puzzle after you designed it and once selected, go to Path - Object to Path. If this doesn't work, you can also try saving it in a different format on your computer (Plain SVG, PDF, etc) and I would think that should help. It's weird that the corners aren't rounded after you upload it to the Glowforge app - I honestly haven't had that issue. Hope this can help!
Are the letters easy to remove? And do you ever add a shape or character to the puzzles?
The letters fall out easily when the puzzle is turned over. You can add shapes or characters to the puzzle as you see fit. This was just for tutorial purposes. I encourage you to make them your own!
Thank you.
I am having trouble right in the beginning....the 19x11.5 box I make isn't centered in the screen. I've tried zoom and some other things but I am very new to inkscape. Please help :)
Hi Michelle! Once you create the document size on Inkscape, you should be able to scroll left to right, up and down on your screen to see it centered better. There’s really no “center” on the program, you just have to manually move the screen with the scroll bars.
Hi, thanks for the tutorial, I was wondering, as babies and toddlers stick everything in their mouth do you think that the burnt edges of the wood are safe, or should the parents need to be warned that it's not suitable for kids to put in their mouths?
I would personally always recommend that these pieces should never be put in kids mouths and that it is not suitable for kids under at least 3.
@@85thandPine ok good to know, I thought so too. Thanks!
Do you paint both sides of the letters?
No I only paint one side :)
Did you use 1/4 inch baltic birch with these settings?
Yes I do!
@@85thandPine for some reason I'm getting more charing then I feel like I should be getting. :/ are they any tips to help prevent that?
I just got my Basic the end of October and used your code! You were my inspiration to take the leap on the forge! I'm a mama of a little boy and I'm making this my job as well♥️
@@brittany684 assuming you are masking your material? The edges usually burn, and we wipe them down, but if there is significant burning, I would play with the setting a little more. The height and speed are the two factors I would change the most. I found the slower the speed, the more apt burning was to occur.
What brand of paint for you use?
I believe it was Folkart acrylic paint that I got from JoAnns or Michael’s.
I am new at using Inkscape and the glowforge. I followed your video but when I upload my image to glowforge it says your text has been removed. The outlines for everything are like little dots not a solid line to be cut. I made sure to do the object to path but even the outline for the name board is dotted lines and not a solid line to be cut.
Ok Well I figured it out. I forgot to manually put in the Focus Height so that is why it wasn't seeing anything.
@@jamiyeager2001 glad you got it to work! But yes, usually it shows up as dotted lines before you enter the settings on the left hand side. :)
Do you seal just the painted parts of the letter?
And do you mask both sides of the wood? What kind of masking do you buy?
@@brittany684 Hi Brittany! I use paper masking tape from Vinyl Ease. They don’t recommend to use with lasers because of possible fire but I haven’t had issues and I know a lot of people use it. I do mask both sides. Here is the link to Amazon...
Vinyl Ease 12 inch x 100 feet roll of Paper Transfer Tape with a Medium to High Tack Layflat Adhesive. Works with a Variety of Vinyl. Great for Decals, Signs, Wall Words and More. American Made V0821 www.amazon.com/dp/B07DF7TDSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B3N13CJZZET93AWR5PHG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I’ve used a sealer in the past, non toxic from Waverly. You can find it at Walmart. There are other dealers but that’s the one I’ve used. I only tried that a few times, so for the most part I did not seal the letters and left them with bare paint.
How do you find the best way to ship them?
We would ship them in 19x6x4” boxes from Amazon or Uline and you could shrink wrap and bubble wrap them.
@@85thandPine Thank you!
When I save it, the Glowforge won't recognize the letters. What am I doing wrong?
You may need to select the letters on Inkscape and go to Path - Object to Path. Then save. Then try again and it should work!
Font name?
Jellee