Learn all about Glowforge Aura™ the first-ever Craft Laser™ from Glowforge®. Find out what it is and how to use it in this blog post!
I'm so excited to announce Glowforge's new laser cutter, the Glowforge Aura™!
The Glowforge Aura is a Craft Laser™ from Glowforge. The power of this laser is far more powerful than a blade and it can cut intricate, detailed designs in a precise way. No blades or mats are required!
This is a sponsored post written in partnership with Glowforge®. Glowforge provided me with this machine in order to review it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you're an experienced designer or an aspiring maker or want to start a small business, you're going to love this machine!
Table of Contents
What Can the Glowforge Aura Machine Do?
The Glowforge Aura machine can cut, score, and engrave.
- Cut: The Aura's laser can cut all the way through a 1/4" thick material.
- Score: The Scoring process is similar to drawing on material with a pencil.
- Engrave: Engraving carves away the top layers from the material to create contrast and add depth to your projects. It can engrave images such as photos, logos, or JPEGS.
The best part? This machine doesn't need any blade replacements or mats!
I made an adorable earring display using this machine! You'll see the final product later in this blog post.
Unboxing- What's Inside?
- Protective Foam Packaging
- Laserhead
- Glowforge Aura
- Power Cable
- Vent Hose
- Cutting Tray- Inside a Cardboard Sleeve
Laser Head Features
- Fan
- Head Body
- Carriage & Rails
This laser is a Diode laser- One of the most common lasers used in the laser cutting world. It's a semiconductor containing p-type and n-type materials. When these two materials join, they form a junction; and from this junction, a laser is emitted.
Laser Head Characteristics:
- Wavelength: 450nm (metric unit) CW
- Internal laser power: less than 6000 milliwatts peak
- Beam diameter: 0.1mm
- Original laser beam is .2 mm
- Beam divergence: 9mRad
If you're wanting to start a small business, this laser is for you. This laser is able to cut through many materials and is a great way to join in on the laser-cutting world of creativity!
Compatible Materials
The Glowforge Aura machine is compatible with hundreds of materials offering you limitless creativity!
Glowforge provides Proofgrade® materials that measure 12" x 12", are 100% compatible with this machine, and are laser-ready.
What sets the Proofgrade materials apart is how they are designed to be laser-ready with a useful QR code on the front of the material. The machine is able to read this QR code and automatically adjust its settings for perfect results. No need to play the guessing game! Just place the material into the machine with the QR code facing up, close the lid, let it scan, and begin the cut with perfect precision.
Glowforge Proofgrade materials are also covered in protective masking that can be taken off once the machine is done printing, so your projects are clean and burnt-mark free!
Pro Tip: An awesome pro tip from Glowforge is to use duck tape to take off the protective masking by sticking it onto the laser cut-outs and peeling it off to reveal the material.
Here is a list of Proofgrade compatible materials:
- Acrylic- non-translucent
- Thin Natural Leather
- Iron-On
- Wood such as Hardwoods, Plywoods, and Veneer.
One thing to note about this laser is that it can't cut through clear or translucent materials. You might be wondering, why? Because, a diode laser emits blue light, and this blue light can travel through the translucent material without making a difference.
You also want to ensure that you are using compatible materials because reflections could occur and damage the unit.
Non-Compatible Materials
- Acrylic- Clear, white, or translucent variations
- Chromium-Based Materials- for example, make sure your materials don't contain Chromium.
- PTFE/Teflon-Based Materials
- PVC-Based Materials
- PVB-Based Materials
- Beryllium Oxide
Compatible Devices
Macs, PCs, Tablets, and Phones are all compatible with the Glowforge Aura Machine.
Glowforge App
In the Glowforge software (browser-based app not a downloadable app), you are able to preview your designs on materials using the Aura Vision™ before printing- which definitely comes in handy! Learn more about Aura Vision down below!
The browser-based app is also free! You can create designs with the software you have or use the images, fonts, tools, & catalog designs (I talk more about the catalog below) Glowforge Premium provides!
What's Aura Vision™?
Aura Vision™ is an Onboard 8-megapixel camera. It lets you position your material exactly where you want it- all thanks to the live camera preview.
Glowforge Premium
Glowforge Premium is an optional upgrade to Glowforge's free print software. It offers free designs, features, and tools. Plus, you can get early access to these features before anyone else!
One of the features that comes with Glowforge Premium is the Magic Canvas. Magic Canvas is an Ai tool- just type in a description and quickly turn it into art!
Glowforge Catalog
The Glowforge Catalog features a collection of ready-to-print designs in sectioned categories such as Games & Activities, Jewelry & Accessories, and Education & Classrooms. It also includes thousands of creations to pick and choose from! It's quite user-friendly if I do say so myself.
Compatible Softwares
Illustrator, Photoshop, even Google Slides, and Powerpoint are compatible with Glowforge's software!
What Can You Make With Glowforge Aura?
Earring Display
This earring display measures 4.5" x 7" x 5.5" and comes with the cutest hangers with two circle cutouts to hang your earrings from!
I designed this earring display in Adobe Illustrator, uploaded it to the Glowforge app, and cut it out using the Glowforge Aura.
The display is made out 100% compatible, Proofgrade, teal acrylic material Glowforge provides, and all the earrings were cut by the Glowforge Aura as well.
The cutting process took about 40 minutes but went by quickly because I used that time to paint the earrings.
I hand-painted the earrings and hangers with paint markers and spray paint after they were cut to make everything really pop!
I had an absolute blast turning a 2-D design into a functional 3-D object using Glowforge's Aura Laser Cutter. It's a creative dream come true!
Download the FREE Earring Display SVG
If you would like to make this earring display, you can download the FREE SVG files here. There are two files, one for the Glowforge acrylic and one for the Glowforge wood.
This machine is impressive and is a great machine to have if you are a small business owner or an aspiring designer and crafter!
Do you have questions about Glowforge Aura? Post them below so I can answer them!
Shop Glowforge Aura by clicking here!
I'm surprised it took Glowforge so long to come out with an affordable model. XTools offers something like this and more. Interesting to note that you broke the news and not Glowforge themselves. The only email from them most recently was from Bailey at Glowforge regarding her classes showing off the main laser.
Awesome idea
I would love to have this! Looks amazing!
I see there is an air filter. Does this need to be set up to send the “exhaust” to the outdoors?
Hi Evelyn! Yes, there is an air filter, but it's sold separately. You can connect the Glowforge Air Filter to the Glowforge machine using the Vent Hose that's included with the machine and leave it indoors as it filters through the air filter. If you don't purchase the Air Filter, you will need to be sure to place the Vent Hose outside (out a window or door) to send the exhaust outside. Hope this helps!
Can it cut fabric? If yes, can it cut more than one layer at a time?
I assume it will not be able to etch glass?
You could make something similar - a Barbie clothing rack with hangers...
Is a computer needed to use this laser cutter?
Will you be testing out non-Glowforge materials on this? I would be interested in, for example, Cricut's wood, poster board, chip board, felt, etc. I loved your article!
I am also wondering if it will etch glass. If the glass is opaque, and 1/4 inch or less.
I want one, waiting for a good sale!
Looks like fun
This machine is amazing. I can already thing of a few projects, I would love to do. I'm excited to see more of your project as well!
The kids would love this
would love to try this
I would LOVE one of these!!
Your project is adorable! I would love to have a Glowforge!
I love this!
Honestly, just take my money
If I could afford to buy one I would!
Another very cool tool
I definitely would like one
Looks great for crafting!
This is so going on my wish list!
It looks awesome and would love to have one day.
My next big purchase!
Love this
Such a helpful tool
I would absolutely love that!
If I wants to just engrave on a cutting board or sign how thick can wood be?
I would love to start with a Cricut and work my way to Glowforge! I think it looks like it would be fun to have.
Love it!
Love the earrings.
This machine is amazing! Wish I could afford to buy one.
I will have to start saving my pennies!
Imagine the projects you could make!
What a neat tool! My mom has a smal business where she makes things and this is right up her alley! I’m gonna send her this link!
Omg! This looks like a total game changer!
Awesome game changer
to much for me
The crafting ideas would be endless!
Looks easy and fun
I'd love one of these!
I had no idea a machine like this existed! The things you can do is impressive!
This would be a wonderful tool for homeschooling!
Love this! Very cool product
Interesting
I want one of these amazing things so bad lol
There's so many cool things we can make with that! Very nice
Powerful
Always love to see new ideas, of ways to organize.
This is so cool!
Looks like fun
I would love to win this !
I absolutely don't need another craft, but this looks so fun!
I haven't done crafts in a while, now i must have one haha
Thank you for sharing such a detailed review. It is a very interesting machine!
This is amazing!!!!
This is so helpful for a complex process to a beginner like me! Thank you!
This is pretty cool. I'll need one for my crafting room!!! I need all the help I can get.
What a great cutting machine! Love the earrings.
Wow where was this years ago? I can think of several projects I would make.
I love that thing
I really want a Glowforge, you can do so many neat things with them. I wish they weren't so expensive.
I need this
WOW! I want this!
Technology is amazing, my mother would have loved this.
super cool!
This is so neat! Thank you for sharing!!
What a great machine!!!
I love that this product uses a laser instead of blades. It sounds so much more precise.
I need this in my life!
I am focusing on starting a card business but maybe one day this will be my new learning project.
Great machine!
My daughter is showing interest in creating art. I have to see what all this can do!
What an amazing machine!
I want this!
I gotta get one!
I want one, but don't need to add more to my craft list. 🙂
I want one of these Glowforge's REAL bad, I could make so many cool thing's.
What a cool tool!
Interesting but I ‘m not ready for this
Wow, this looks like my new craft interest!
Love this idea! Great machine!
these items look interesting and affordable
This looks a lot quicker and easier than trying to do the same type of project with my cutting machine!
what a great machine!
I NEED this in my life!!
I love this machine! If only finances would allow…
This is freaking cool.
This machine looks great!
This is cool!
Great idea but way out of my price range.
This thing is awesome!
I love that it doesn't need replacements for blade or mat.
I need this in my live. I love your earring hanger.
Now I am curious. I haven't gotten great reviews from friends who have the more expensive GlowForge. I have heard that the design software is not exactly user-friendly and has a very long learning curve.
Cool machine! I know some people who would like one
So fancy!
I think this would be great to learn how to use but I still am not sure how much I would use it. I am more of a card and quilt kind of girl at my age. If this would have been around when I was teaching special needs kids, I would have been using it all the time.
Looks cool!
I am actually going to take more time to go back over all the features. Looks phenomenal
Awesome!
I really want one of these.
Loved the way your earring display turned out!!!
I want to know if it'll etch glass?? I put it on my wishlist!!
Great ideas. Pretty lady too.
Looks like a fun tool!
Adding this to my wishlist!
I’ve been waiting for something like this !
Nice machine, but can't afford.
Love your informative blogs. Going to add this to my list of desired items for new pre-retirement career.
I need this in my life!!
So many fun ways to craft! This is cool
So many cool uses for makers.
I think it's great Glowforge came out with this size machine. Takes up way less space. Definitely planning on getting one.
Amazing product!
So cool!
Interesting
Wow this looks awesome
Brb retiring my cricut machine hahaha. But forreal. The possibilities are endless with this!
I need this in my life!
I would love this for my mom, she's always been super creative.
It is truly amazing the various things you can do with this one machine!
This looks incredible!!! I would LOVE!!!!
It is really wild and truly amazing the various things you can do with this one machine!
Love to win this for my grand kids!
Love to learn hands on with help seeing things being done! TY
Aaaah I want one! ❤️
Super cool!! Thanks for sharing!
I just started using a cricut. This looks amazing and I’d love to win one.
That's incredible!
How fun are those earrings!
The Glowforge Aura looks like a fantastic product!
This new laser cutter, the Glowforge Aura, is so cool!! Amazing~
i like that this can cut intricately
Very nice product. I like the earring display!
Do you need a computer for the laser cutter? Thanks !
Love this! I could make so many cute projects! Thanks for sharing!
This looks like amazing technology!
My dream is to own a Glowforge someday!!
I did not know this existed and now I need one!
So cool!
Thank you for sharing. Great info
Would love one of these
I hadn't seen this before. It looks awesome!
Such a fun tool! Definitely going on my wishlist!
This machine is perfect. I have wanted one for so long and it is just the right size and price.
Looks like this is nice and compact.
Love how small and easy it would be to store.
This machine sounds awesome! I've been wanting to invest in a Glowforge for a while, I just don't have the room. Thanks for sharing this!
Cool machine..Wil have to save up my pennies to buy it!
I have been looking into the laser cutters. This sounds like the one!
This has been added to my Must Have List, knowing you are here to help me learn how to operate
This is a really cool tool
This is awesome.
Some day I hope to have one!!!
I dream of having a glowforge for a long time. It's a great tool
I would love this!
This would be great for my Christmas ornaments to cut out
The earring holder is adorable. Hope to own a laser cutting machine someday.
really cool tool
I need need this!!!
I'm thinking of all the things I can do with this. I want one.
I want this so many possibilities.
I had never heard of this before your post
This could be a hobby that I could get into.
This looks like so much fun
What an amazing machine!
How do people find the time to learn this?!
good luck y'all
Love that it’s a more affordable option
What an amazing machine!
Amazing tool. Would definitely make crafting easier.
What a great machine! My husband is the artist and would have a lot of fun with this!
I really want one of these.
Amazing!
Fun!
The kids would love this.
Great tool--so much you can do..just let your imagination go!
I would LOVE a Cricut!!
Awesome tool!
This machine is incredible !!!
Amazing!
I am saving for this machine. It is just perfect size.
So many wonderful craft project options with this laser cutter. I love your finished earring display project.
ok... how did it take you 40 mins to cut out the lil' jewelry stand, but it took my aura 3 HOURS... 0_0