Making a Pumpkin Lantern Using the Glowforge Aura

Follow this tutorial to make your pumpkin lantern using the Glowforge Aura machine, downloadable SVG file, and step-by-step instructions.  

This post is sponsored by Glowforge®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pumpkin lanterns are trending this year, to stay on top of the trend, I decided to make pumpkin lanterns using the Glowforge Aura™.

With the help of the Glowforge Aura™, I have precise and intricate designs, resulting in beautiful and high-quality pumpkin lanterns.

The Glowforge Aura machine is a laser cutter that can cut through Proofgrade® materials such as wood, acrylic, and more! If you would like to learn more about the Aura, click here.

In this tutorial, I will go through what the SVG includes, the supplies needed to make this Pumpkin Lantern, and how to assemble it. Plus, share some tips and ideas along the way! 

What does the SVG Include? 

• 4 Pumpkin-Shaped Pieces
• 1 Circle piece

The SVG design features split two pumpkin-shaped pieces (a top half and bottom half) and a circle piece that serves as a platform for a candle of choice. 

Download the FREE SVG File Here!

Supplies Needed

• Glowforge Aura
• Proofgrade® Maple Plywood
• Gorilla Wood Glue
• Gorilla Tape
• Colorshot Spray Paint or Acrylic Paint
• LED Tealight Candle
• Cleaning Wipes- I recommend Windex wipes.
• Foam Brush- I used a 1" foam brush and a Foam Spouncer

Optional:

• Glitter
• Mod Podge

Uploading to Glowforge 

First, download the SVG file, then pull up the Glowforge app by typing app.glowforge.com into your web browser and sign in.

Once signed in, click Create a New Design in the top left-hand corner, and from the dropdown menu, select Upload a File, choose the Pumpkin Lantern SVG file, and upload.

You can also import artwork by clicking the + above the work area.

When the design has been uploaded, hold down Cmd->Shift->G to ungroup the pieces.

Change the layer types from Engrave to Cut on the left-hand side of the Glowforge workspace.

Place your material into the Glowforge Aura machine (I used Medium Maple Plywood), close the lid, click on the three dots above the workspace on your screen, and select Refresh Bed Image. Your material should now be visible on your screen.

Move the designs wherever there is a free space. I'm using a new piece of wood, but I'm going to move everything to the upper right-hand side of the screen so that I don't waste any material.

Cut out Pumpkin Lantern Pieces

Once ready, click Print in the top right corner of the app and wait for your Glowforge machine to connect. 

A blue light will start flashing on your Glowforge Aura machine. 

Press the button and let your Glowforge Aura do the work!   

After it has finished cutting, wait a couple of minutes before opening the lid to let the fumes go down. 

After that time, remove the material from the machine and lay your pieces onto your work surface. 

Next, we need to take off the masking. 

Pro Tip: A helpful tip Glowforge provided is to use duct tape to peel off the masking. Place a piece of duct tape (I used Gorilla tape) onto one of the cut pieces and slowly peel the masking away from the material. 

Afterward, sand down your material if needed until there is no longer a sticky shine. Doing this will help prepare the area for the painting application. 

Pro Tip: Use baby wipes to wipe away the burn marks. You can also use a liquid soap and a brush to remove the the burn marks. 

Time to Paint! 

I recommend painting the cut pieces before assembling the project because it helps with an even application. I use this method, but do what works best for you.

I’m hand-painting my pumpkin using acrylic craft paint in Baby Pink, but feel free to spray paint yours.

Pro Tip: When spray painting: Hold your spray can 10-12 inches away from the surface and lay down thin layers, letting it dry completely between each layer. 

When you start applying your paint, paint in thin layers. After your first or second layer, go ahead and buff the surface to make a smoother surface, and then apply another coat. 

Add any other detail to the pieces. You can add glitter (like I did) or apply paint with a paintbrush or paint markers to paint cute ghosts or patterns.

After I applied my paint, I stroked Mod Podge onto my pieces, laid out a paper towel with glitter on it, dipped my pieces into the glitter, and let them completely dry.

Assemble Pumpkin Lantern

Finally, it’s time to assemble your pumpkin lantern. 

Grab the two bottom halves of the pumpkin pieces and connect them by lining up the slots and sliding them together (the bottom slot slides into the top). 

Set the assembled bottom portion of the pumpkin aside, pick up the circle piece, and the top piece with a rectangular cutout in the middle.

Slide the circle into the slots of the rectangular piece attached to the top portion. Now there's a platform for your candle! I recommend using a wood glue to hold it in place.

Grab the two top halves of the pumpkin. Connect the top slot to the bottom (the piece with a rectangle). 

With the top and bottom portions of the pumpkin assembled, it's time to bring it all together.

Lastly, with some wood glue or adhesive on hand, apply glue to the arms of the pumpkin.  

Align the top and bottom assembled pumpkin pieces, attach them, and hold them all in place for a couple of minutes or until it dries completely. 

Finished Pumpkin Lantern

Now, you have your own Pumpkin Lantern! Make it in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles.

Styling Ideas

You can paint and style this pumpkin in so many ways. A couple of ideas to make this an aesthetic Halloween pumpkin would be to: 

• Create a color block pumpkin by painting the portions in different, contrasting colors. The color-blocking technique adds a modern and stylish touch to the traditional pumpkin lantern, making it a perfect addition to any fall decor. 

• Apply glitter or spray paint the stem a metallic color. 

• Paint ghosts onto your pumpkin. I dipped my finger into some white paint and impressed it onto the pumpkin pieces, then added black two dots on each fingerprint using a sharpie.

Want to know more about the Glowforge Aura? Click here. 

Looking for more fall projects? Click the links below!

• Take a look at all the best Halloween Crafts

• Pair this pumpkin lantern with these new adorable Halloween Witch Gnomes

Did you enjoy this tutorial? I’d love to see what you’ve made with it!

Join my crafting and sewing Facebook group where you can show us what you’re making, ask questions, and learn from others!

Don’t want to forget about this template? Save this project for later! Click here to save this project on Pinterest.