Hanging Easter basket Name Tags
Instruction
One of the many projects ideas for your Easter basket is to personalize it with a name tag cutout. This project is great for beginners. The only challenge is creating the holes for the string, but don't worry, I'll walk you through the steps in this quick tutorial.
The first step is to simply add in your text and choose your font. Here I am using the Dancing Script font in XCS. I also resize the text in this step. For my basket, I think a 4 inch wide tag will work well.
Step 1 Video:
The next step is to simply use the outline tool in XCS to trace around each letter. I also like to adjust the padding to get the look I am wanting. Also adding padding helps with adding in the holes for connecting our string to the tag.
Step 2 Video:
This may be the trickiest step in this whole project, but it isn't difficult. All we need to do, is add in a circle shape and then a smaller circle inside that circle as the hole for which we will tie a string to the tag.
Begin by adding a circle shape and then resizing it to about half and inch (.5 inches). Move the circle so that it overlaps the outline of the name. Copy and paste another circle of the same size onto the page. Move it to the other side of the name outline, ensuring it overlaps as well.
Select both circles and the name outline, then use the “combine” tool to “unite” the three shapes. Now we have two knobs sticking out that gives some space to add a hole for the string.
Now lets add in another circle and size it to a quarter of an inch (.25 inch). move the smaller circle to the center of the circle we previously joined to the name outline shape. Now repeat this for the other side.
This will cut out two little circles inside the shape that can be used to tie in the string.
Step 3 Video:
In this step, use the appropriate settings for your machine. Remember that these settings will vary depending upon your machine and the strength of your laser. If it is the first time you are cutting a material, please take a moment to create a test grid and find out the best combination of speed and power for that material.
If you have a D1 or D1 pro with a 5W laser, I've included my file with the appropriate settings.
Step 4 Video:
Finally, add in the material on your laser to cut out. I always like to use the framing feature to ensure the design fits on the material I have.
When engraving be sure to use all safety equipment and follow the instructions supplied with your laser!
Once the job is complete on the laser, tie a string to the two holes cut out and hang the tag on your Easter basket :)