Beginner WeCreat Laser Tutorial – Laser Engraved Cutting Boards PLUS Booster Fan Review

 Hi there! If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project that also makes a great gift or product to sell, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing a complete step-by-step guide to creating a stunning laser-engraved cutting board using the WeCreat Vision laser engraving cutter. Plus, I’ll be unboxing and reviewing the WeCreat Booster Fan — an accessory that really helps keep your workspace smoke-free while engraving.

This project was originally designed as a Father’s Day gift for my husband. It features a split “Dad” monogram with our kids’ names engraved inside. The best part? You don’t need to be a laser engraving expert to make something that looks this professional. I’ll walk you through everything from setting up the cutting board in the machine, designing the project using the WeCreat software, to assembling the booster fan and testing its performance.

Table of Contents

• Step 1: Choosing Your Cutting Board
• Step 2: Preparing the Cutting Board for Engraving
• Step 3: Designing Your Project in WeCreat Software
• Step 4: Adding Personalized Names with Special Heart Characters
• Step 5: Adjusting Size and Positioning
• Step 6: Laser Settings and Starting the Engraving
• Step 7: Unboxing and Setting Up the WeCreat Booster Fan
• Step 8: Installing the Booster Fan
• Step 9: Testing the Booster Fan Performance
• Step 10: Comparing the WeCreat Booster Fan to a Cheaper Amazon Fan
• Step 11: Final Results and Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Final Tips for Success

Step 1: Choosing Your Cutting Board

The cutting board I picked is a 12 by 18 inch acacia wood board that I bought for just $12.99 at Ocean State Job Lot. You can find similar boards online selling for nearly $80 on Etsy, which means there’s a great profit margin if you decide to sell your finished products.

Acacia wood is a fantastic choice because it engraves beautifully and is durable enough for everyday kitchen use. Plus, it has a warm, rich color that makes the engraving stand out.

Step 2: Preparing the Cutting Board for Engraving

Because the cutting board is large, it’s tricky to see the entire surface inside the WeCreat software due to the camera’s placement. To solve this, I use a simple hack: find the center of the board and mark it with chalk. Here’s how:

1. Use a ruler to measure the length and width of the board.
2. Mark a small “X” at the center using chalk—just a little mark in the middle, not the whole length.
3. Place the cutting board carefully inside the laser machine, making sure not to bump the laser head.
4. Close the lid and get ready to design your engraving.

This center mark acts as a guide in the software so you can align your design perfectly.

Step 3: Designing Your Project in WeCreat Software

For this project, I’m using a “Split Dad” design in the Pretty Heart font, which I downloaded from Creative Fabrica—a fantastic resource for fonts and SVG designs perfect for laser engraving and cutting. If you want to try it out, they offer a free one-month trial that you can sign up for via the link in the description.

Let’s walk through how to get your design ready:

1. Open the WeCreat software and start a new project.
2. Upload your downloaded SVG design by clicking “Upload” and selecting your file.
3. Drag the design out and align it so that it’s centered on the chalk “X” you marked on the board.
4. Download and install any additional fonts you want to use. For this project, I used the “Litha Lotte” heart font for the kids’ names inside the monogram.
5. Sometimes, the font won’t show up immediately in the software. If that happens, save your project, close the software, and then reopen it to refresh the font list.

Step 4: Adding Personalized Names with Special Heart Characters

This part is a little tricky but super fun! The heart font has special characters where hearts are connected to letters, creating a beautiful, flowing look. Here’s how I got the kids’ names to look perfect:

1. Type out the name normally in the WeCreat software.
2. Open the Windows Character Map tool (you can find it by typing “character map” in the Start menu).
3. Select the font you installed (Litha Lotte), set “Advanced view” to Unicode, and choose “Private Use Characters” from the Unicode subrange dropdown.
4. Scroll through the characters to find the letters connected with hearts that match your name.
5. Copy the special character from the Character Map and paste it into the software, replacing the normal letter.
6. Repeat for each letter that has a heart version.
7. Once complete, select all the text and “weld” it together in the software. This removes the slice marks between letters and makes it one smooth design.

This technique gives your engraving a unique, heartfelt touch that stands out beautifully.

Step 5: Adjusting Size and Positioning

After creating the names, I resize and position them so they fit perfectly inside the split monogram. Here are some tips:

• Keep the center letter aligned with the chalk “X” mark so it’s centered on the cutting board.
• Make sure the design doesn’t extend off the edge of the board. You might need to shrink the design slightly to avoid cutting off parts of the hearts or letters.
• Preview your design on the screen to double-check the placement.

Once satisfied, fill the design with the “engrave” option and set your laser power and speed. For this project, I set both power and speed to 100% for a deep, dark engraving.

Step 6: Laser Settings and Starting the Engraving

Before starting the laser, autofocus the machine to ensure it’s perfectly set for the thickness of your cutting board. I set the power, speed, and line density to 100. The software will estimate the cutting time — for this project, it’s about 1 hour and 8 minutes due to the size and detail of the engraving.

Since this project takes a long time and produces a lot of smoke, it’s the perfect time to test out the new WeCreat Booster Fan.

Step 7: Unboxing and Setting Up the WeCreat Booster Fan

Good ventilation is Iimportant when laser engraving wood because the process creates smoke that can affect air quality and the machine’s performance. Previously, I was using a cheaper 4-inch inline duct fan from Amazon, but I wanted to see if the official WeCreat Booster Fan, priced at $150, was worth the investment compared to my $46 Amazon fan.

Here’s a look at what comes with the WeCreat Booster Fan:

• Speed controller dial to adjust fan speed
• Two hoses — one connects the laser machine to the fan, the other connects the fan to the window
• Hose clamps for securing the hoses
• Window adapter piece with a flap that opens when the fan runs and closes when off
• The booster fan unit itself

Step 8: Installing the Booster Fan

Assembly is straightforward:

1. Attach a hose clamp to one hose, then connect that hose to the inlet of the booster fan following the airflow arrow on the unit.
2. Tighten the hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver.
3. Plug the speed controller into the fan unit and connect the hose from your laser machine to the appropriate port.
4. Attach the other hose to the outlet of the booster fan, secure it with a hose clamp, and connect the window adapter piece.
5. Place the large end of the window adapter out of your window. To get a good seal, you can fill gaps with pillows, blankets, or use a custom-cut piece of wood or styrofoam with a hole for the hose.

Note: I had to cut a bigger hole in my window frame to fit this larger fan — thankfully, my husband helped with that!

Step 9: Testing the Booster Fan Performance

Before turning on the booster fan, I ran the laser with the old fan off to show how much smoke builds up inside the machine. The smoke was thick and there was a strong smell in the room — definitely not ideal for breathing or machine longevity.

Once I plugged in and turned on the WeCreat Booster Fan, the difference was instant. The smoke cleared quickly, the smell disappeared, and the fan’s flap opened wide, showing how powerful the airflow is. You could even see my curtains blowing from the fan’s force!

Step 10: Comparing the WeCreat Booster Fan to a Cheaper Amazon Fan

I was curious about the specs, so I compared the two fans:

• Amazon fan airflow: 76 CFM (cubic feet per minute)
• WeCreat fan airflow: 146 CFM — almost double the power!
• Amazon fan speed: 2,550 to 2,750 RPM (rotations per minute)
• WeCreat fan speed: 7,500 RPM — nearly three times faster
• Amazon fan system airflow: 114-129 cubic meters per hour
• WeCreat fan system airflow: 249 cubic meters per hour — nearly double

While the booster fan costs more, the performance difference is clear. The adjustable speed dial on the WeCreat fan is also a plus, unlike the Amazon fan which only has high and low settings.

Step 11: Final Results and Thoughts

The finished cutting board came out amazing! The engraving is dark, crisp, and burns deep into the wood without going too far. It looks so professional — I’m honestly obsessed with how good it turned out.

This project is perfect for gifting or selling, especially since the materials are affordable and the profit margin is great. I plan to list these on my local town forums and Etsy store once I figure out shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need prior laser engraving experience to make this cutting board?

A: Not at all! The WeCreat Vision laser engraver is beginner-friendly and easy to use. I had no prior experience and was amazed at the professional results I got.

Q: Can I use any cutting board for laser engraving?

A: It’s best to use hardwood cutting boards like acacia, maple, or bamboo. Avoid coated or plastic boards as they may not engrave well and could release harmful fumes.

Q: How long does the engraving take?

A: This particular design took about 1 hour and 8 minutes, but engraving time varies depending on the complexity and size of your design.

Q: Is the WeCreat Booster Fan necessary?

A: While not mandatory, a good exhaust fan like the WeCreat Booster Fan greatly improves air quality by removing smoke and fumes. It also helps protect your machine and workspace.

Q: Where can I find the fonts and designs used?

A: I recommend Creative Fabrica for fonts and SVG designs. They offer thousands of options and a free one-month trial to get you started.

Q: Can I sell the cutting boards I make?

A: Yes! These make great products to sell locally or online. Just be sure to check shipping options and packaging to protect your boards during delivery.

Final Tips for Success

• Always measure and mark your cutting board carefully to ensure your design aligns perfectly.
• Take advantage of free trials at sites like Creative Fabrica to access high-quality fonts and designs.
• Test your laser power and speed settings on a scrap piece of wood before engraving the final project.
• Invest in proper ventilation to keep your workspace safe and smoke-free.
• Be patient with your first few projects — practice makes perfect!

I hope this tutorial inspires you to try laser engraving for yourself. With the WeCreat Vision laser cutter and a little creativity, you can make beautiful, personalized gifts and products that look professional and sell well.

Happy crafting!