Looking for exciting summer craft ideas that capture the essence of the season? A laser engraver is your perfect tool for creating personalized summer accessories that are both functional and stylish. 

Whether you’re crafting laser-cut stickers for beach gear, engraved glass cups, unique coasters for summer gatherings, or making charming summer-themed keyrings, laser engraving offers endless possibilities. With this guide, you’ll learn how to take your summer projects to the next level and make your outdoor experiences even more memorable. Let’s dive into the world of laser engraving and explore how it can turn your summer craft ideas into reality!

I. What Can a Laser Engraver Do for Your Summer Crafts?

A laser engraver is an incredibly versatile tool that can elevate your summer craft projects. Whether you’re working with wood, glass, or plastic, laser engraving allows you to create intricate designs with precision, while laser cutting offers the ability to craft unique shapes and patterns.

• Laser engraving is perfect for adding custom messages, names, or summer-themed graphics to items like coasters and drinkware. Imagine engraving your favorite quotes or designs onto cups for a personalized touch at your summer parties.
• Laser cutting gives you the freedom to create custom shapes and items like beach bag tags, wooden ornaments, and paper cutouts. These can be personalized to fit the summer theme—whether it's a palm tree design, a beach sunset, or your favorite beach quote.

By incorporating a laser engraver into your summer crafting, you can create unique, professional-quality pieces that stand out and add a personal touch to your seasonal decor and accessories.

II. Summer Craft Ideas for Laser Engraving and Cutting

1. Custom Drinkware

Why not personalize your glass cups, mugs, or tumblers for your summer gatherings? Laser engravers allow you to add names, summer-themed images, or even fun quotes like “Life’s a Beach” or “Good Vibes Only.” You can also add intricate designs to wine glasses or beer mugs for a special touch that makes every drink feel unique.

2. Engraved Coasters and Trays

For your summer BBQs and outdoor gatherings, wooden coasters and trays can be transformed with the precision of laser engraving. You can add monograms, special dates, or summer-inspired designs like a sun, beach, or floral patterns. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening outdoors, these items will bring a personalized, rustic charm to your table settings.

3. Custom Bag Tags and keyrings

Personalize your summer accessories with custom laser-engraved bag tags and keyrings. Whether it's a bag tag with your initials or a keyring featuring a summer motif like palm trees or waves, laser engraving adds a unique touch to your essentials. Made from wood, acrylic, or metal, these custom items are perfect for vacation luggage, beach bags, or as thoughtful gifts. With a laser engraver, you can create lasting, personal designs that elevate your summer adventures.

4. Engraved Sunglasses

Take your beachwear to the next level with custom-engraved sunglasses. Whether it’s your initials, a fun quote, or summer-themed symbols, a laser engraver can add a personal touch to your sunglasses. Engraving on the frames can make them unique and stylish, perfect for gifting or to make your own summer look stand out. Plus, the precision of laser engraving ensures that your design will last long under the sun!

（Image courtesy of Metloptix）

5. Laser-cut Stickers

Get creative this summer with laser-cut stickers to decorate your gear or give away as fun gifts. A laser engraver can cut intricate designs in a variety of materials, from paper to vinyl, allowing you to create unique summer-themed stickers with high precision. Think palm trees, sunsets, or even your own custom designs. These stickers are perfect for customizing your water bottles, laptops, or even as party favors for your summer events.

（Image courtesy of ACE Makerspace）

III. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Summer Crafts with a Laser Engraver

Using a laser engraver for your summer craft projects can take your creations to the next level. Here’s how you can use a laser engraver to create beautiful, personalized crafts:

Step 1: Choose the Right Equipment

The first step is choosing the right laser engraver. For precise and stunning results on materials like wood, acrylic, and glass, you’ll need an engraver that offers both flexibility and power. The Dual Desktop Laser Engraver is a perfect fit for all your crafting needs. Choose an engraver that matches your project’s scale and material needs, and you're ready to get creative!

EM-Smart Dual Desktop Laser Engraver with 20W Fiber & Diode

Dual laser engraving machine for 300+ materials' deep engraving and cutting with higher precise engraving results.

Learn More >

Step 2: Design Your Craft

Now that you’ve got the right equipment, it’s time to get creative! Design your summer crafts on your computer using design software like LightBurn (click to check the operation guide). Whether you're engraving intricate summer patterns or adding personalized text, this is where the magic happens. Don’t forget to consider the material you're working with – the design may need slight adjustments depending on whether you’re engraving on wood, acrylic, or glass. Once you’re happy with your design, save it in the correct file format (typically .SVG) for easy uploading to the engraving machine.

Step 3: Electric focusing

Place the material on the panel, use the electric lift to focus by adjusting the height, and when the two focuses on the board are completely coincident, the focus is over. Precise focus allows for a more concentrated laser density for faster, cleaner cuts.

Step 4: Parameter settings

The type of material you’re engraving will determine the settings you need to adjust. For example, metal requires higher power to achieve deep, sharp engravings, while wood may require lower power for detailed and delicate designs.
Here are some general laser engraving settings to consider:
•    Power: Higher for metals, lower for wood and plastic.
•    Speed: Slower speeds create deeper engravings, while faster speeds are best for lighter, shallow designs.
•    Frequency: Adjust this setting depending on the material; metal may need higher frequency for clearer lines.

Step 5: Switching light sources

Switch between fiber and blue light in the cutting layer, non-metallic materials and acrylic cutting need to use blue light, turn on "use laser 2" to switch successfully, if you want to switch back to fiber, turn off this function.

Step 6: Ensure All Connections Are Secure

Now, it’s time to ensure your laser engraver is properly connected and ready to work. Start by connecting the machine to your PC using the included Type-C cable. Make sure the camera of the laser engraver is connected and turned on. In your design software, like LightBurn, click the "Camera Control" button and select "USB Camera" to switch the view. This will display the work area captured by the camera.

Place your material on the workbench and use the camera preview to adjust the position. You can use helpful tools like grids within the software for precise alignment, ensuring your design fits perfectly on the material. 

Step 7: Start Engraving

Once the everything is ready and the laser engraver settings are adjusted, it’s time to start the engraving process. Monitor the engraving closely to ensure the design is applied properly and consistently.
Tip: It’s best to run a test engraving on a sample piece of the material before engraving on the actual gear to fine-tune settings and ensure the best results.

Step 8: Post-Engraving Care

After the engraving is complete, clean the engraved surface to remove any dust, debris, or residue. For metal items like laser engraved knives or water bottles, you may want to polish the surface for a sleek, shiny finish.

IV. Conclusion

By using a laser engraver, you can easily create unique summer accessories that are both functional and stylish.

With 27 years of experience in the laser industry, EM-Smart specializes in designing portable laser marking machines and innovative laser solutions for various industries. It's the perfect tool to elevate your crafts to the next level.

Start designing today and elevate your summer experience with personalized, high-quality crafts!