Puzzle created with Glowforge

A puzzle from a family photo was created with Glowforge at the Wando library.

Wando Mount Pleasant Library’s Creative Studio has several tools to help patrons create gifts, mementos, and trinkets. Among our more interesting resources is the Glowforge: a laser 3D printer, engraver, etcher, and cutter that harnesses the power of light to burn designs into wood and other materials.

The Glowforge uses a 40W laser and sophisticated computer software to perform precise etching and cuts in wood and plastic; it can even engrave metal or marble, given enough time.

Some recent patron projects created with the help of this device include: a store sign with the business name and logo etched onto a rustic wood plank; a family crest etched onto a wood cheese board; a vintage family photo printed onto a label, pasted onto particleboard, and cut into a jigsaw puzzle; a three-dimensional marble run cut out of a 0.125-inch sheet of draft board, complete with ramps and turning gears; a beloved quote burned onto a wood picture frame; and more.

Some materials and patterns can be purchased directly from Glowforge’s official website, but most of our users submit their own wood and designs (created in a program like Illustrator or Photoshop). Such software is also available at Wando’s Digital Studio, by appointment. Designs for thin wood objects that need to be cut must be submitted in .svg file format. For etching, any image format is acceptable. Black and white photographs can also be etched, although it may require image edits, including gamma correction, increased resolution, and corrected exposure.

There are a few details you should know before pursuing a project: first, for safety reasons, the device is not directly accessible by the public, but our staff is happy to work with you to turn your project into a reality. Carefully consider submitting irreplaceable objects for etching, as it is possible that these items could be damaged, or that the results will not be exactly as desired.

Our Glowforge service has an associated fee of $1 for every 10 minutes of staff time it takes to execute the project. The amount of time required varies greatly, from about 5 minutes for a simple cut to up to 4 hours or more, depending on the requested design and material.

Our model can accommodate objects 11 inches by 19.5 inches and up to 0.5 inches thick. Slightly thicker items can sometimes be accepted. We request at least one week to complete your request.

If you are interested in working with Glowforge, please submit your questions or requests to wandomakermanager@ccpl.org. We hope to see your creations soon!

Eric Weaver is the Circulation Manager at Wando Mount Pleasant Library, 1400 Carolina Park Blvd., 843-805-6888, www.ccpl.org.