Image by Opt Lasers from pexels
Have you ever wondered how Etsy stores create so many different laser cut products? It’s because they start by finding free CNC designs and laser cut files online and then use them to make items that they can sell in their Etsy stores.
Laser cut files allow you to make unique and personal products, but what if you’re in need of laser cut files that aren’t available on the internet?
How can you create something truly one-of-a-kind?
Thankfully, there are many free laser cut files on the internet to keep your inventory diversified and fresh!
Here are some tips on how to find free laser cut files, how to get them, and how to use them to create your own laser cut inventory.
Free files are good files
If you don’t have an in-house designer and prefer using free files, it can be a little tough to know what’s worth downloading.
Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s good!
After all, there are plenty of bad designs on paid file marketplaces.
The key is not just finding a good design but also knowing how to use that design for your needs.
Choose reputable sites:
Places like Pinterest are often riddled with low-quality graphic downloads.
These aren’t ideal sources for laser cutting projects.
However, there are several reliable resource sites out there.
Websites such as openclipart or even google images allow you to filter results by resolution (and other factors). Openclipart also has a serviceable search engine if you want to look through categories.
What kind of product works best with free designs?
Rather than looking for ways to sell more products with laser cut designs, try offering free files instead.
Everyone loves a deal, and so will your customers!
If they’re excited about saving money on their design project, they’ll certainly be willing to pay you more for cutting services.
This strategy isn’t recommended for every business, but it can work well if you run a laser-cutting shop that offers a variety of shapes and sizes.
You could even add wording like Get one free file when you order $X or more! at checkout. It might not make sense for everyone, but there are likely customers out there who love freebies.
Be sure to consider offering both digital and physical items.
Then use sales tactics specific to each type of product (such as site pop-ups vs social media ads).
Your content needs should also depend on what kind of client you cater to; artists might appreciate step-by-step instructions via video, while newbies may enjoy helpful words of advice in printable templates.
Why use free laser cut file downloads?
A good strategy for laser cutters is not just designing a product, but also finding some way to generate income while you build your business.
While customers may be willing to pay for your products (if they’re unique enough), you should also have a revenue stream that can supplement your income and let you experiment with different products.
One way of doing that is with laser cut file downloads; these are files people can download and use to cut their own pieces out of wood or acrylic sheets.
This is an easy solution if you don’t want to charge directly for your designs.
Just make sure you post clear instructions with any design.
You can also use free designs as bonuses when you sell finished goods on Etsy or other platforms. People will love it!
The process from start to finish
Get an idea -> create design -> cut out design in wood -> assemble into new item.
That’s what laser cutting is all about.
But if you are only creating one design, it can get a little boring!
Thankfully, there are lots of free files out there that you can use to diversify your inventory by turning your laser into a multi-purpose tool!
You might not know where to start or what files to use.
It’s easy once you know how…
And don’t forget: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are tons of folks who love sharing their knowledge and experience—and we love helping out as much as possible.
Final Word
Image by Opt Lasers from pexels
When you’re getting started as a laser-cutting designer, it can be difficult to develop an extensive library of free files that you can distribute.
However, it’s possible to diversify your inventory with free files.
And while they won’t make you a fortune, they are an excellent way to introduce your brand and yourself as a designer in new markets and gain exposure for future paid projects.
In fact, when it comes time to ask your clients for larger and more complicated custom jobs, providing samples of your past work (as well as examples from other talented designers) is a great way to show them what you can do without having charged them money up front.