Laser Cut Sign - Home Is Where The Heart Is

When decorating your home, there's nothing like adding a personal touch that celebrates the people you love most.

I’m so excited to share this laser-cut wood map decor with you!

It’s a beautiful way to keep your family close, no matter how far apart you might be.

With heart-shaped push-pins, you can mark the special places where your loved ones live, creating a unique and heartfelt piece that reminds you that home is truly where the heart is.

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Supply List

Some links may be to similar items when the exact items can't be found online.

• Laser Cutting Machine
• US Map Home Decor Laser File
• 2 sheets 3mm MDF
• 12x19-inch sheet 6mm Birch
• 15x9-inch sheet Cardboard
• Acrylic Paint
  • White
  • Black
  • Brown
  • Red
• Cork Sheet
• Marker
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Masking Tape
• Makeup Sponge
• Heart Pushpins
• Wood Glue

This project can be created on any laser-cutting machine that accepts .svg files and can be customized to fit any style.

Grab the Laser File:

Download the SVG laser file to your computer or device.

Stain Wood Sheet

I am staining the wood to get the color I want, if you are purchasing wood, grab the color of wood you want. I am just trying to use what I already have.

My wood sheet has a glossy side and a natural side. I will apply the stain to the natural side because it will wipe off too easily on the glossy side.

I will create a stain using acrylic paint and water to achieve a dark cherry look.

Combine red, brown, and black paint on a paper plate.

Add a good amount of water, the homemade stain should be pretty thin.

Combine the paint mixture with a paintbrush, and the brush onto the wood. Only do small sections at a time.

Quickly wipe away any excess with a paper towel.

After about two-thirds of the board was stained, I decided that the stain was a little too red.

I went back to the paint mixture and added more brown and black to darken it.

Then I went over the previously stained area and repeated applying the stain and wiping it with the paper towel.

After this second coat, I liked the look of the wood much more.

It is okay that the end section is quite the same color because that is where the words will be cut, and I am pointing those pieces white after cutting.

Laser Cut

Pull the SVG laser file into your cutter software and cut.

I am sorry but I can not give cut settings because every machine is different.

There are four layers to cut, but it looks as though there are only 3.

The first layer is the map with the words which should be cut from the wood sheet.

Be very careful when removing and holding this layer. The lines between states are small and will break if pressure is applied.

The second layer is the rectangle, with a second rectangle inside. This layer should be cut twice. Once with MDF and the second time with cardboard.

The third layer is a single rectangle, this is the back of the design and should be cut out of MDF.

Here are all of the laser-cut pieces.

Cut Cork Sheet

My cork sheet came on a roll so it would have been difficult to cut on my laser, but if your cork sheet is flat, it can be cut on the same layer as the cardboard.

Trace the cardboard piece onto the cork sheet with a marker.

Then cut the rectangle with a pair of scissors.

Paint Letters

Cut a long piece of masking tape, roll it over on itself, and stick it to the table. Then stick the letters to the tape.

I like to put the letters in word order to make sure I have them all.

Add some white paint to a paper plate, pick up the paint with a makeup sponge, and dap the paint onto the letters.

This is a great way to paint small pieces. They are painted quickly by getting paint all over my fingers.

Let the paint dry completely.

Assemble

Start assembly by gluing the middle and back MDF pieces together, make sure they are lined up on all corners.

Apply glue inside the rectangle opening and place the cardboard rectangle inside the opening.

Apply glue to the back of the cardboard and lay the cork sheet on top.

Apply glue to the back of the map layer and center it on top of the stack.

I like to brush my smaller pieces with wood glue and a small paintbrush.

This helps me control how much glue I am putting onto the piece so I don't get a lot of excess glue around my pieces.

The front of the sign has outlines where the letters go so I know exactly where to place them.

Once all the letters have been glued into place the sign is done!

Next comes the best part! Placing pins on the map where family and friends live!