How to Make A QR Code Sign: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

I’ve had my xTool M1 for a few months now and have created many wooden projects, from mandalas to anniversary plaques. Recently, after connecting with a local small business, I was presented with an opportunity to use acrylic for the first time. I was commissioned to construct an acrylic QR sign for their in-person events. Not only would I be putting the xTool M1 to the test with acrylic, but I’d also get the chance to put this tutorial together and show you how to make a QR code sign out of acrylic for yourself or another small business.

While there are many ways to create a QR code sign using various materials, I will focus on creating a two-toned QR code sign using acrylic and sticky paper in this tutorial. Let’s get into it!

Materials List

• 12×12” ⅛” Opaque Black Cast Acrylic Sheet
• 8×12” ⅛” Opaque Purple Cast Acrylic Sheet
• (1) 3M Self-adhesive Sheet or CA glue
• (1) Sheet of self-adhesive sticker paper
• A standard printer
• xTool M1 or other laser cutter
• QR Code Sign Design Template (optional)
• A pack of rubber adhesive bumpers (optional)

Step 1. Designing Your QR Code Sign

I’m a huge fan of using Canva for my laser engraving and cutting projects. It has a host of shapes and fonts that make it easy to bring your ideas to life. To get started, determine the shape and dimensions of your sign, how many platforms and QR codes to display, your logo design, and the fonts to use. You can also find free platform icons for your sign on Icons8.

When designing, it’s best to create each piece of your sign on individual canvases to make it easier to work with once you export it.

Here is a list of the pieces you should have for this project:

• A background shape where all the platforms will be displayed.
• A base for the background shape to sit in.
• Platform icons (I’m using four for this tutorial).
• QR code borders that surround the QR codes.

Be sure to add a tab to the bottom of your background shape so it can fit within the stand you’ve created. Make it long enough to be stable. The tab’s width should be ⅛”, the same thickness as your acrylic base.

Step 2. Import Your Design into xTool Creative Space

After you design your files, export them as PNG and import them into xTool Creative Space. When you import your file, use the “trace image” tool to create a vector of each image. xTool will then be able to process the vectors as cut, engrave, or score lines.

Once you’ve created vectors of each piece, properly assign their process type. Adjust your files as follows:

• Cut Process: Sign background, platform icons, QR code border pieces, and stand.
• Engrave Process: Any text, including logo, platform handles, and/or thank you message.
• Score Process (optional): Duplicate your platform icons and QR code border pieces.

Scoring is not necessary but can act as a guide and is handy when it comes time to assemble.

Step 3. Create Your QR Codes

We can now work on creating the QR codes that will be displayed on your sign. The great thing about using xTool Creative Space is that it has a built-in QR code generator. This works well if you’re just creating social QR codes. However, if you’re looking to accept payments, I recommend downloading the QR codes generated from payment apps such as Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal.

After collecting all your QR codes, use the print and cut feature on the M1 to print them onto your self-adhesive sticker paper. For instructions on using this feature, see step 4.

Step 4. xTool M1’s Print & Cut Feature

The xTool M1’s nifty blade cutting feature can accurately cut out your QR codes after printing. A video tutorial for using the blade cutting feature can be found on Youtube. Ensure your blade is attached to the xTool M1, place your cutting mat on the baseplate, and insert your self-adhesive sheet.

Open another canvas in xTool Creative Space and adjust your process setting to print and cut. Import your QR codes as images into your space and resize them accordingly. I have scaled my QR codes to 1.4 inches as a reference. Click process and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 5. It’s Laser Time!

To make assembling your sign easier, now is the time to adhere your 3M adhesive sheet to the back of your acrylic sheets. That way, once you’ve cut your pieces, they’re ready to stick. If you followed step 4, be sure to remove the blade and cutting mat from your machine. Now is the time to use your honeycomb and prisms if you have them.

Next, laser engrave, score, and cut all your pieces, except the base piece. We’ll work on the base in a later step. For your background shape, xTool has a default black acrylic setting you can download. I’ve found that 90% power, 2mm/s, and 1 pass work best for my xTool M1. For engraving, I’ve also found that the combination of 70% power, 175 mm/s, and 1 pass provides the best visibility. Depending on how opaque your purple acrylic is, you may need to adjust the above settings to higher power, lower speed, or additional passes.

Step 6. Test for Kerf

If you’ve downloaded the QR Code Sign Design Template, you’ll find a kerf testing template included. Use this to test for the exact cut size in your stand. Since no two materials are identical in thickness and you’ll need to account for laser cut loss, the kerf testing template helps determine if the hole in your stand should be larger or smaller than the thickness of your background material.

Designing on your own? You can download my kerf test fit template separately or design your own. Use your background material size of 0.125” as a starting point and create laser-cut rectangles in small increments in ascending and descending order.

Once your kerf template is cut out of your test material, match fit your sign background piece into each slot until you get a snug fit.

Step 7. Make Your QR Code Sign Stand

Now that you have a proper fit, add a hole shape to your base piece using this width. A simple rectangle with a cut line setting should do.

Step 8. Pieces Assemble!

Now that you have all your laser-cut acrylic and QR code pieces, you’re ready to assemble them. Since we used the 3M adhesive sheet on the acrylic, this will be simple. If you’re using CA glue instead, it should still be a breeze since you’ve scored your background and now have a guide to follow.

Start with your QR code stickers and affix all other pieces around them. You can now add rubber feet to the bottom of your stand if you have them.

Final Thoughts

You now have an awesome and useful acrylic QR code sign for in-person craft fairs, conventions, or trade shows. Whether you’re using the sign for yourself or making one for a business, I hope you found this tutorial useful.

Check out Creations by Jazz the handmade business behind the sign!