Have you already seen our stock of mirror acrylic? We think this is fantastic material because it is almost indistinguishable from a glass mirror. We have it in four colors in our assortment, and when you laser cut it, you can truly let your creativity run wild.
Our customers make much more than just wall decoration with it. Think, for example, of a mirror in a dollhouse, a figurine for Mother's Day, or a reflective work of art in the garden. We love to inspire (see also our Pinterest page) and invite you to give it a try.
Read more about this material, its characteristics, pros and cons, and how to create something beautiful with your CO₂ laser cutter here.
The wonderful world of mirror acrylic
Working with mirror acrylic is fun for every laser cutter. It's a material that doesn't discolor in the sun, and the edges come out super neat from the machine.
You can laser cut a mirror into a specific shape and then engrave the back. The laser beam removes the reflective layer in the engraved areas, making the material matte-transparent there. For example, engrave horns or ears into the acrylic, and these will become part of the reflection of anyone looking into it. A nice text is, of course, always an option, an image, or a baby's name and birth date.
Regarding your laser cutter settings, use the same ones as when cutting regular acrylic, placing the material with the mirror layer facing down to prevent reflection. This material comes out beautifully and flawlessly from the machine, with perfect edges and no traces of the cutting process. Our mirror acrylic has received the LaserGrade quality mark for CO₂ laser cutters; it has been tested and found suitable for CO₂ lasers. What would you like to make from mirror material?
What you can make with mirrors
We recommend everyone with a laser cutter to try mirror acrylic at least once. Our customers use it for all kinds of projects. This list clearly shows how versatile this material is.
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Wall decorations (geometric animal heads, country or city maps, names for children's rooms, custom decorations for parties and weddings, and funny mirrors that appear to melt or are shaped like a large CD).
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Trophies and awards.
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Souvenirs with a photo, a date, a saying, or a name.
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Coasters with an image or text.
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Table mirrors with an image or text and a stand.
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Shop names for facades or display window decorations.
The possibilities with mirror acrylic are vast. It can be cut into any shape with a CO₂ laser cutter, and you can engrave whatever you want into it. We know designers who laser cut mirror acrylic and then sell their creations on websites like Etsy, with great success. You can truly make an impression with it.
Design inspiration: cool mirrors
These are designs by others that we find truly special. They clearly show the wide range of possibilities when you laser cut mirrors.
1. Mirror with horns
Here you will find a clear guide for making a funny mirror. When you look into it, you get horns. The drawing is free to download. We always find it interesting to see what others can create with a laser cutter and mirror acrylic.
View the tutorial on Instructables →
2. Mona Palmer's artistic mirrors
Mona Palmer is a designer/artist from New York. Her acrylic mirrors are known for their high aesthetics. She designed mirrors in the shape of art historical icons, such as Botticelli's Venus and Greek statues. Mona also created modern subjects, such as a hand holding a rose. Her mirrors are no longer for sale but can be used for inspiration. Here are some pictures that will certainly help you create your own design. →
View pictures of Mona's studio →
3. Mirrors with a tattoo-look
If you want to laser cut a cool mirror, take a look at Lekky Studio for inspiration. This Dutch designer creates mirrors and wall decorations inspired by recognizable tattoo designs. These are both tough and cheerful, and we always enjoy finding a Dutch designer on Etsy.
4. Mirrors for dollhouses
We wouldn't have thought of it ourselves, but the better dollhouse naturally also has custom mirrors. Laser cutting is widely used for miniatures, models, and dollhouses, and thus also for making mirrors for dollhouses.
View mirror for dollhouses on Etsy →
Two examples from our own team
Another way to show what's possible when you start laser cutting mirrors is with two examples from our own employees. Lasersheets team members Paula and Sven both achieved beautiful results with this material.
Paula's facade letters
Paula designed the letters for the facade of the Verfris art studio. She chose anthracite mirror acrylic, so the letters would match the color of the facade. Using a cardboard template (also laser-cut), the letters were affixed in the correct position with sealant.
Sven's moon mirror
Our warehouse manager Sven also did something very special with this material, in our opinion. He made a custom acrylic mirror from pink mirror acrylic with a black MDF backing. This way, he designed a beautiful moon mirror by cutting the shape and engraving the moon's surface on the back of the material.
At Lasersheets, we are enthusiastic about mirror acrylic and the possibilities it offers. Also, check out our Pinterest board for more inspiration and examples of what you can achieve with this material and a laser cutter.
What are the differences between mirror acrylic and glass mirror?
This is a question we often get, and it shouldn't go unanswered here. Acrylic mirror is visually almost indistinguishable from a glass mirror, but there are indeed differences.
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You can laser cut, saw, drill, and glue acrylic mirrors, which is not possible with glass mirrors.
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Acrylic mirrors are lighter in weight than glass mirrors, making them easier to hang.
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Both mirror acrylic and glass mirrors are susceptible to breakage.
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Glass mirror is less prone to scratches than acrylic mirror.
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Glass mirrors are perfectly flat, but mirror acrylic can have slight distortions.
Laser cutting and hanging mirrors
Because mirror acrylic is lighter than a regular glass mirror, it is very easy to hang on the wall. Additionally, you can already laser cut holes into it (which gives a neater result than drilling), making attachment easier.
How do we hang our mirror acrylic on the wall? We believe that gluing or sealing works best. Using adhesive film is also an option, but this can pull off the mirror layer on the back and become very unsightly. What you can also do is hang your mirror with mirror clamps or screws. Check our range of accessories for laser projects to see if the right mounting material is among them.
Laser cutting mirrors: what you need to know
It's also important to know the don'ts of acrylic mirror. Before making a purchase in our store, there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Our mirror acrylic cannot be cut with a diode laser cutter. You could try engraving the back with a diode laser cutter, but cutting is only possible with a CO₂ laser cutter.
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We also do not recommend mirror acrylic for full-length mirrors, as it has slight distortions that become visible on a large surface, which can create a funhouse mirror effect.
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And finally, acrylic is susceptible to scratches, and a scratch on a mirror is, of course, immediately noticeable. So be extra careful when handling the material.
Laser cutting mirrors with acrylic from Lasersheets
Create a custom acrylic mirror for your home, a unique trophy for your sports club, or a striking nameplate for your wedding with mirror acrylic. We have this material in four different colors, and it is also available in the form of a value pack. This is handy if you want to stock up in your MakerSpace, workshop, or warehouse.
As long as you have a CO₂ laser cutter and you cut the mirror acrylic with the reflective side down, it is a magnificent material to work with. We guarantee the best results through the LaserGrade CO₂ quality mark on our products. Contact us if you have any questions about hanging or want to know more about laser cutting mirrors. Of course, we also love to see the results of all the beautiful objects you create with our materials and your laser cutter.
