Panels, templates
& custom parts
Faceplates, hole layouts, positioning templates, spacers, and other flat components built around your dimensions.
Start with what the piece needs to fit or do.
DDA Maker Technologies / New Jersey
Custom laser cutting.
Custom parts, panels, stencils, models, and signs cut from acrylic, selected wood, paper, and other suitable sheet materials.
Start with a file, sketch, or idea. We’ll help work out the design, material, and cutting plan.
Or call (973) 995-7070
Explore a cut pattern
Panel cutting can combine an outer profile, mounting holes, and an opening in one file. Stencil letters need bridges to keep their centers attached; separate model profiles can stack into layers.
A panel: the outside profile, mounting holes, and an opening can share one cutting file.
Illustrative cut patterns. Not to scale.
Acrylic & moreSuitable nonmetal sheets
20 × 12 inNominal work area
File or ideaTwo ways to start
We review the design and agree the project scope before production.
What could you make?
Flat doesn’t
mean simple.
Cut a single useful shape, add openings and details, or assemble several pieces into something with depth.
Panels, templates
Signs & display pieces
Cut lettering, shaped backgrounds, display components, and layered graphics. Material and assembly choices matter as much as the outline.
Models & prototypes
Architectural layers, concept models, flat-pack assemblies, and project components that let you test a design in physical form.
Stencils & creative cutouts
Painting templates, paper constructions, custom shapes, and lettering. We review small details and bridges so the design holds together.
Have a different use in mind? Tell us what you’re trying to make.
The material changes the result
Choose the sheet.
Shape the outcome.
“Plastic” or “wood” is only a starting point. The exact product, thickness, and finish affect whether it cuts well and how the finished piece looks.
Not sure what to use? Tell us where the piece will go and what it needs to do. We can help narrow down the material.
Have material already? Send its product name, supplier link, or specification with your dimensions. We’ll review it before you bring it in.
01Acrylic Clear, colored, or opaque shapes
Acrylic can suit signs, display components, model pieces, and panels. Laser cutting can produce a smooth, glossy edge, but the finish depends on the sheet and cutting conditions.
- Worth knowing
- Cast and extruded acrylic both cut, but behave differently. If the design also needs engraving, cast acrylic often gives a more distinct frosted mark.
- Plan for
- Fragile narrow features, mounting clearances, and actual sheet thickness. Tell us whether appearance or fit is the priority.
02Selected wood & plywood Models, layers, and warm natural surfaces
Laser-compatible thin wood and plywood can work well for model components, layered signs, and assembly experiments. Grain, adhesives, and internal voids can make similar-looking sheets cut differently.
- Worth knowing
- A darker cut edge is part of the process. Surface marks and finishing needs should be discussed when appearance matters.
- Plan for
- The particular sheet and glue system, not just the nominal thickness. Tabs and slots need to account for thickness variation.
03Paper & card Mockups, packaging concepts, and fine cutouts
Suitable paper and card can turn a drawing into a folded model, presentation piece, stencil, or packaging prototype. Intricate outlines need enough material between cuts to remain usable.
- Worth knowing
- Coatings and adhesives matter. Share the actual product rather than assuming every card stock will behave the same way.
- Plan for
- Bridges, fold locations, orientation, and how the piece will be handled. Discuss scoring separately from through-cutting.
Something else?
Send the material specification and intended use. Other sheet materials require individual review for compatibility and finish.
A few important distinctions
This service is for suitable nonmetal sheet materials. Metal, PVC, vinyl, and unidentified plastics are not accepted for laser cutting.
From a drawing to a part that works
The line has width.
The laser removes a narrow strip of material, called the kerf. That changes the dimensions of the pieces left behind. It matters most when parts need to fit together.
Try an illustrative kerf
20 mm outside outline19.80 mmResulting part width
20 mm inside outline20.20 mmResulting opening width
Illustrative values for an uncompensated, centered cut. Actual kerf depends on the material and settings; these values are not a production tolerance.
For an assumed 0.20 mm kerf, a 20 mm outer outline leaves a 19.80 mm part; a 20 mm inner outline makes a 20.20 mm opening.
Tell us what must fit.
Tell us what the part must mate with and how it should fit. We review those dimensions and can include a test piece in the agreed scope before cutting a larger run.
Keep the islands connected.
The centers of letters such as O, A, and B fall out of a through-cut stencil unless bridges connect them to the surrounding sheet. Small features also need enough width to survive handling.
Use measured thickness.
A slot designed for “3 mm” plywood may not fit the sheet you actually have. We account for actual sheet thickness and cutting allowance when preparing fit-sensitive assemblies.
From first message to finished pieces
Bring the idea.
We’ll work out the cut.
You don’t need to choose the material or prepare a production file before contacting us.
- Describe the result you need.
Share its purpose, rough dimensions, quantity, and deadline. If you have a sketch, drawing, or reference, mention it in your inquiry.
- We review the approach.
We discuss material, design work, fit checks, and any finishing. Scope and cost are agreed before production.
- Approve the design, then cut.
We prepare the agreed cutting layout and confirm the design with you. If a fit test is part of the job, we check that before the full run.
Already have a cutting file?
These checks help us review your file. If something needs fixing, we can discuss the preparation work with you.
- Set the real size.
Use your intended units and include at least one known dimension. A screenshot or exported file can lose its scale.
- Use clean vector paths.
SVG, DXF, or vector PDF are useful starting formats. Remove duplicate lines and close outlines that should form complete pieces.
- Separate the operations.
Identify which paths cut through, which mark the surface, and which are reference dimensions. Convert lettering to outlines where possible.
- Show the finished result.
Tell us what to keep, what to remove, and how the parts will assemble. Add a sketch or reference when the file alone doesn’t make that clear.
What affects the quote?
More detail.
More cutting time.
Two designs can use the same sheet area and require different amounts of work.
- Cut length & detail
- Small holes and intricate outlines add cutting time.
- Material & thickness
- These affect cutting speed, testing, and finish.
- Quantity & layout
- Repeated parts can share preparation work. Layout affects material use.
- Design & finishing
- File preparation, fit tests, engraving, and assembly add scope.
Start with a short description. We’ll identify what else is needed to assess the job.
Before the first cut
A few practical
questions.
How large a piece can you cut?
Our nominal work area is 20 × 12 inches, approximately 508 × 305 mm. Usable part size depends on margins, material placement, and the cutting layout. Send your finished dimensions for review. A larger assembly may be possible as several pieces.
How thick can you cut?
Send the material name or supplier link, thickness, finished dimensions, and quantity. We’ll review whether that sheet suits the job and whether a test cut is needed. If you haven’t chosen material yet, describe the finished use and we can discuss suitable options.
Can cutting and engraving be combined?
Yes, suitable projects can include through-cut shapes and surface engraving in the same design. Tell us which text or artwork should be marked and which outlines should be cut. Engraving time and appearance are reviewed separately. Glass can be suitable for marking, but is not a through-cutting material here.
Can I bring my own material?
Ask us first. We need to identify the actual material and review its suitability, including coatings or adhesives, before accepting it for cutting. A supplier link or specification is helpful.
What if the part needs pockets, threads, or a curved shape?
Those features may call for CNC machining, 3D printing, or a combination of processes. Tell us the finished function and dimensions. We can help determine an appropriate approach instead of forcing the design into a flat sheet.
Do you work with customers outside New Jersey?
DDA supports projects in New Jersey and across New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Northeast. Share your location and deadline so delivery or collection can be discussed with the scope.
Start with what you need
Let’s make
your next piece.
Describe the purpose, approximate size, quantity, and target date. If the material or design is undecided, we can work through that together.
Discuss your laser cutting project
Or call (973) 995-7070
What happens after you inquire?
We review your request and discuss the information needed to scope the job.
Have a drawing or photo? Mention it in your message. We’ll arrange the file handoff when we reply.
Design work, material, testing, and production are agreed as part of the scope.