Rabbit Laser USA
title text over a rabbit rendering on LightBurn and the finished keychain

Design Your First Keychain: Easy Laser Project with LightBurn

Let’s dive into a fun and straightforward project to get you started with your Rabbit Laser USA machine: designing a personalized keychain using LightBurn software. You’ll learn how to engrave text, use the Offset tool to create a border, and cut the keychain from 3mm acrylic. Customize it by choosing any font and text you like!


Step 1: Power Up Your
Rabbit Laser Machine and Open LightBurn


First, make sure your Rabbit Laser machine is powered on and connected to your PC. Open LightBurn software and ensure your laser is selected in the Devices dropdown under the Laser tab.


If your laser isn’t set up in LightBurn yet, go to Devices and select Find My Laser to automatically detect and configure it.

Once your laser is selected, you’re ready to start designing!

Step 2: Prepare Your 3mm Acrylic


Place your 3mm acrylic sheet on the laser bed, making sure it’s securely positioned to avoid movement during engraving and cutting. Adjust the laser focus to match the material for optimal results using the autofocus button.


Step 3: Designing Your Keychain – Adding Text


Now it’s time to add some text for your keychain:

  1. Select the Text Tool from the left toolbar in LightBurn.
  2. Click anywhere on the workspace and type your chosen word. Feel free to pick any word and font that you like.
  3. Use the Selection Tool to resize and position the text in your design. Make sure there’s enough space around the text for the keychain’s outline.


Step 4: Offsetting the Text for the Cut Line


We’ll now create a border around the text using the Offset tool, which will serve as the cut line for the keychain.

  1. With the text selected, go to Tools → Offset Shape, or simply click the Offset icon on the toolbar, represented by an "O" with an outline around it.
  2. Set the offset distance to 2mm and click OK. This will create a border around the text, defining the shape of the keychain.
  3. You should now see a new shape around the text, which will serve as your cut line.

Step 5: Setting Up the Engraving Layer for Text


Now we’ll configure the engraving settings for the text:

  1. Select the text and assign it to a new layer in the Cuts/Layers window by changing the color.
  2. Set the layer to Fill mode, so the laser engraves the text area.
  3. Enter the recommended engraving settings for 3mm acrylic:
  • 350mm/s speed
  • 23% power
  • 300 DPI (set this in the Cut Settings Editor under the Fill tab).


Step 6: Setting Up the Cut Layer
for the Keychain Shape


Let’s now set up the cut layer for the keychain’s shape:

  1. Select the Offset Shape and assign it to a different layer (with a new color).
  2. Set this layer to Line mode so the laser will cut along the outline.
  3. For cutting 3mm acrylic, use these settings:
  • 10mm/s speed
  • 30% power


Step 7: Adding a Hole for the Keychain Ring

To make the keychain functional, we’ll add a small hole for attaching the keyring:

  1. Select the Ellipse Tool from the toolbar.
  2. Hold Shift to draw a small circle (about 3mm in diameter) near the top of your design.
  3. To match the text offset, you can offset the circle by 2mm.
  4. After creating the offset circle, select both the offset text shape and the offset circle, and use the Boolean Union tool to merge them into a single shape.
  5. Make sure this merged shape is on the same cut layer as the keychain outline.

Step 8: Final Checks Before Running the Job


Before pressing Start, review the settings:

  1. The text layer should be set to Fill for engraving.
  2. The offset shape (keychain outline) and the hole should be set to Line for cutting.
  3. Engraving settings for 3mm acrylic: 350mm/s speed, 23% power, and 300 DPI.
  4. Cut settings for 3mm acrylic: 15mm/s speed and 30% power.


Pro Tip: Mirror your design in LightBurn so that the engraving is on the backside of the acrylic. This will give your keychain a polished look when viewed from the front.


Click Frame in LightBurn to ensure your design is correctly aligned on the acrylic sheet.


Step 9: Engraving and Cutting


Once everything looks good, press Start in LightBurn. The machine will first engrave the text using Fill mode, then cut the hole and keychain shape. With these settings, your Rabbit Laser machine will produce smooth cuts and clear engraving on 3mm acrylic.


Step 10: Remove and Enjoy!

When the laser finishes, carefully remove the keychain from the bed. If there’s any residue, wipe it down with a cloth or a clean toothbrush. You now have a custom-made keychain, ready for use!

Pro Tips for Rabbit Laser Users


  1. For cleaner cuts on acrylic, raise your acrylic slightly off the bed using small supports or standoffs. This prevents flashback from the laser hitting the honeycomb workbed, ensuring a smoother finish.
  2. Adjust power and speed settings for different materials—your Rabbit Laser machine is versatile and can handle a variety of materials for future projects.


Final Thoughts


Congratulations on completing your first project! You’ve learned how to engrave text, create an offset cut line, and use Boolean Union to merge shapes. These skills will serve you well as you tackle more complex projects. 🐰

For more ideas and inspiration, don’t forget to check us out on social media, and explore Rabbit Laser USA’s accessories and supplies to keep your creativity flowing.


Cut. Create. Conquer.

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