Once I had vectored my new 'Rock Bottom' design, I decided to cut it from Vinyl using my Cricut machine. Vinyl cutting is quite similar to laser cutting in the way that the files are set up the same, so a preliminary vinyl cut is a good indication of how your laser cut will turn out. I chose to use these bright vinyl colours to envoke a happy cheerful feeling. Once my file was cut and layered I decided to mount it on a clear acrylic panel.
I'm really pleased with how this piece came out. It has a traditional sign-writing feeling to it, someone even commented that it reminded them of a tattoo parlour, which I see as a compliment! Tattoo script and sign-writing have a symbiotic relationship. I intend to recreate these colours in paint on wood as I have struggled to find a bright 'Barbie' pink perspex colour available at a reasonable price.
I realised when layering my vinyl pieces that the drop shadow (seen in aqua blue) would not cut out well on the laser, due to its intricacy and multiple pieces. I decided to instead only cut the white text and pink background on the laser, and hand paint the drop shadow instead.
I intend to use the 'Rock Bottom' text as a template and draw around this and paint the shadow before it is stuck down.