Artistic expression knows no bounds in our world today. Technology and creativity have combined to create a revolutionary form of wall art – unique, multilayered masterpieces crafted with precision and finesse using the xTool P2 Co2 laser cutting machine. This cutting-edge tool transforms walls into vibrant canvases and opens up a new world of creativity that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. This was the first project I cut using the xTool P2 Co2 laser and it turned out perfectly. For someone who has never used a laser machine in the past, this shows how easy to use this laser machine is.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to add a touch of innovation to your space or an individual embarking on a home project, a laser-cutting machine can unlock limitless possibilities. In this post, we will share how this amazing technology can elevate the aesthetic appeal of spaces and present lucrative opportunities to make money. If you missed my review on this xTool P2 laser you can find it here.

You can create seasonal gifts and personalized items that capture the essence of individuality. Welcome to the era where art meets technology, and creativity knows no limits!

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How to make multilayered wall art using a laser

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Material Needed

• Materials Needed:
• 3mm MDF wood sheets 6 x 32cm x 32cm
• Xtool P2 CO2 laser cutter and engraver
• Acrylic paint in various colours
• Paint roller
• Wood glue
• Super glue
• Weights (e.g., heavy books or objects)
• Design software XCS Creative space/ Lightburn.
• Multilayered image svg/dfx format -You can find some design for free to get started on Design Bundle or on Etsy for a small fee.

Design Your Artwork

Lauch XCS creative space and open a new project. I do apologise for the poor quality of my photos, the workspace in my workshop has skylights which causes all sorts of issues with the light.

Add your image into design space.

After importing your image file, you should see a display similar to the one below. This display shows the different layers that make up the wall art. The top layer is the unified image, while the bottom layer shows how the image has been created. The layers in between display how the final image will look once all the layers are put together.

You can select the bottom row and the final image and delete them from your workspace.

For this project, I need my final image size to be 300mm x 300mm square. You can adjust the image size at the top of the screen. The padlock icon in the middle of the two sizes can be unlocked to create a custom size.

Sep up the xTool P2 laser

To begin, turn on your xTool P2 laser. Next, add the 3mm MDF to the inside of the laser machine. Since we will be cutting out numerous smaller pieces, it is recommended to use the honeycomb to prevent any small pieces from falling through and getting stuck. After that, click on the refresh button located at the top right-hand side of your screen. This will bring up the live view of your work.

I started working with the first image from left to right. I found it more manageable to work with one image at a time. To do this, select the first image and move it away from the other images. Then, you need to inform the laser that you only want to cut the first image. You can now select all the other images and click the “ignore” button on the right-hand side of the screen. I moved the other images away from my work area.

You can now accurately position the first image on your work area, select cut, and then use the output button on the right-hand side of the screen to instruct the laser to cut the image.

Add your laser cut settings.

In order to achieve the best results with your materials, it is recommended to create test cards. For each type of material you use, prepare a test card that outlines the optimal power and speed settings. This will provide you with a helpful guide to ensure consistent results. If you haven’t created a test card yet, you can easily make one using the grid array function in XCS. You can access a tutorial on xTool’s YouTube page, along with other useful tutorials.

Once you have added your settings, you can click the process button, which will bring you to the preview screen. Press the start button on the laser and it will start cutting out the design.

Repeat this step with each layer until you have cut out each design.

The laser is incredibly powerful and produces clean edges every time it cuts a design. The time taken to cut each layer was approximately 20 minutes.

Painting your layered art

I painted the MDF layers with acrylic paint using a foam paint roller. First, I poured a small amount of paint into a tray and rolled the sponge roller in it. To remove the excess paint, I rolled the roller onto a plastic mat. Then, I applied the paint to each MDF layer with a light hand, avoiding pressing down too hard as it could cause the paint to run down the inside of the design. I only wanted the paint to stay on the surface area. I added 2 coats of paint to all the colored layers.

Before gluing the layers together, assemble the design to make sure you are happy with the colors.

Glueing the multilayered wall art together

To glue the laser cut layers together I used a combination of wood glue and super glue.

I added some glue to the back of the mdf and spread it around with a spoinge brush. It is important to make sure you get all the outside edges to make sure the design will not pull apart. making sure to get all the outside edge most importantly.

I applied wood glue to the MDF and spread it evenly with a sponge brush, paying extra attention to the outer edges to prevent the wall art from falling apart when hung.

I had difficulty using glue for the top layer of my design because it had many fine edges. The glue kept pooling around the sides of the design. Therefore, I switched to using super glue for the top layer. However, I encountered a challenge with the fast drying time of the super glue, which required me to work quickly.

To secure the layers together, apply pressure while the glue dries by adding some weight to the surface. You can use clamps depending on the intricacy of the design, but any heavy object will suffice.

Close up view of the multilayered wall art.

Here is another example of stunning wall art created with this laser.

You can see how I made this steampunk dinner tray tutorial using this link.

If you are looking for any of the items used in this project, please consider using our links. By clicking on the links we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Which helps us come up with new and exciting ideas to share with you. Please feel free to share or leave a comment we would love to hear your thoughts.