Create Original Lightburn Projects that Stand Out
Diode Laser Bootcamp is my beginner’s course for Lightburn-compatible diode lasers. It teaches the 5 core laser skills you’ll need for any project. Complete it in one focused weekend or take your time. Bonus courses on photo and rotary engraving are also included.
Testimonials
WHAT You’ll Learn (The 5 Core Skills)
I’ll be honest.
It annoys me when people say to “learn the fundamentals”, without explaining what that actually means.
It’s kind of like saying “to make a good BBQ sauce, you need SPICES”, without explaining WHICH spices are needed.
So to hopefully add some clarity, I’ve boiled down the laser fundamentals into the below 5 core skills:
Core Skill 1: Lightburn Design
About half of the core bootcamp lessons are focused on this one skill.
Lightburn design (as I define it), includes navigating the workspace, creating shapes, formatting text, assigning layers, etc.
Basically everything you would need in Lightburn to prepare a project before applying the settings (which are then found using skill #3).
Core Skill 2: Air
In my view, “air” is probably the most underrated laser skill.
And to me, air includes two main parts: air flow and air assist.
In a nutshell, understanding air is what allows you to get perfectly clean cuts and engravings (with little-to-no sanding or post-processing).
Core Skill 3: Test Grids
If you’ve already done some laser-related research you’ve probably heard something about “material tests” / “test grids” / “power-speed tests”.
These are all the same thing, and it’s probably both simpler AND more complex than you’ve heard.
In the bootcamp, we go step-by-step through the easiest way to use a test grid AND we cover how (and when) to create your own custom tests.
Core Skill 4: Laser Focus
Even if you do everything else perfectly, an out of focus laser can immediately ruin a project.
So in the bootcamp, we’ll walk through a demonstration that shows the impact an out-of-focus laser can have.
And we’ll also cover the essential steps for getting a diode laser into focus.
Core Skill 5: Coordinates & Framing
When I was getting started, coordinates and framing was the single most difficult topic for me to figure out.
This is how you get your designs perfectly positioned or centered on whatever object or material you’re engraving/cutting.
In the bootcamp, we cover this step-by-step, including the differences between settings like “current position”, “absolute coordinates”, and how to use jigs if you’d like to.
HOW You’ll Learn It (The ETCH Method)
The more I’ve learned about laser engraving, the more that I’ve noticed a pattern in how I learn.
It boils down to a 4-step process that has helped me to quickly reach new “aha! moments”.
And to make things easy to remember, I’ve started calling this process “The ETCH Method”:
In a nutshell, this is how it works:
Start broad and learn as much as about a new topic as possible (e.g. what are all the main variables that impact CLEAN laser cuts and engravings).
Then we filter down until we get to the building blocks (e.g. If I want perfectly clean cuts/engravings, then there are 4 main “ingredients” I need to consider).
Next, we’ve got to apply the building blocks on a real project (e.g. dial in air assist, power/speed settings, etc. to cut a birthday gift out of plywood).
And finally we systematize what we’ve learned (e.g. we make things repeatable by saving the file, material library entries, jigs, etc.).
This is the basic process I use for learning any new laser skill myself, and it’s also the approach used inside of Diode Laser Bootcamp
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Hi! I’m JJ –
I got my first laser in December of 2022 after getting laid off.
And as soon as I tried to run my first laser project, I was shocked by how hard it was to figure out even the basics.
Through a lot of trial and error, I managed to learn enough to throw together a few decent laser projects.
And by January of 2023, my wife and I made our first sale of a laser-made product on Etsy.
Only 6 months after this first sale, we surpassed $5k/month in laser revenue (if you care about that sort of thing).
And somewhere along the way, I started to feel like I actually knew what I was doing.
But after riding this surge of growth for awhile, we decided to scale back the laser business in order to renovate a 1950s colonial house.
And by the time we were ready to start accepting new Etsy orders, my laser YouTube channel (ChalkWatts) had started to take off.
I’ve always loved teaching, and this seemed like a unique opportunity to build something really useful, so my wife and I decided that I’d divide my time between building Etsy orders (which we now treat like a side hustle) and teaching laser engraving on YouTube and in my bootcamps.
Featured Example Projects:
Plywood Photo Display
This is a REAL product that we have actually sold for profit in our laser business. You’ll learn essential (and a couple of advanced) tools in Lightburn to complete this project.
Slate Pet Memorial (with Photo Engraving)
This project will help you master photo engraving using my step-by-step process and test template. We’ve also sold this type of product (and don’t worry about Jerry, this version uses a stock photo).
Glass with “Frosted” Logo
Engraved glassware is an extremely versatile gift, and it’s something you could sell as a service. You’ll learn how to use a rotary AND how to get crisp “frosted” engravings on glass during this project.
Bootcamp Lessons Overview
Day 1
Lightburn (Core Skill 1)
During the first day of Bootcamp, we’ll get you oriented within Lightburn. We’ll cover all of Lightburn’s essential features, and we’ll cover a few advanced Lightburn tools, including Node Editing and Arrays. We’ll also start designing Project #1: the photo board.
Day 2
Perfect Engravings (Core Skills 2-5)
Here we’ll focus on the “4 Ingredients for Perfect Cuts/Engravings,” which include mastering power/speed settings, and dialing in your air assist. We’ll also cover coordinates and framing so that you can position material correctly on your laser bed. And we’ll completely finish Project #1!
Bonus
Photo Engraving (Optional Skill)
You’ll learn my systematic 5 test method for getting exceptionally accurate photo engravings during this week. As part of this process, you’ll also get our downloadable custom photo engraving tests template. This will give you everything you need to make beautiful photo engravings on slate, plywood, and glass (and possibly other materials – these are just the ones we’ve tested). And we’ll completely finish Project #2!
Bonus
Rotary Engraving (Optional Skill)
By the time you get to this module, you’ll have already covered so many core concepts that building Project #3 might actually feel easy! The two new skills you’ll learn are how to use a rotary for engraving cylindrical objects and how to use a diode laser to engrave glass, which is a rather tricky material.
Why This Bootcamp
Get crucial laser concepts to finally “click”
Concepts are explained using specific examples to make them easier to understand and apply to your own projects. If you like how I teach on YouTube, you’ll love Diode Laser Bootcamp.
Avoid months (or years) of slow, passive learning
Jumping from one YouTube video to another is terribly slow and can lead to frustrating contradictions. Stop bouncing around, and focus on what matters right now – building beautiful laser products.
Finish Example Projects You’re Proud to Show Off
Get ready to hear things like “Wow! How’d you make THIS!?” or “No way, YOU made that!?” The level of polish put into the example projects is aimed at getting you these kinds of responses.
The ONLY 100% Diode Laser Focused Course
There are Lightburn courses and Co2 laser courses, but there’s nothing else specifically for diode laser engravers. Don’t waste your time on irrelevant info. Not sure what type of laser you have? See FAQs below.
Lifetime Access
Yes, this is a weekend bootcamp. BUT, if you need a refresher later, or if you fall a bit behind, don’t worry. You’ll have lifetime access to all of the recorded lessons and downloadable files (with the VIP tier email support is available for 14 days after joining).
14-Day Money Back Guarantee
If you’re not happy with the bootcamp, then I don’t want your money. I will promptly give you a 100% refund, as long as I receive your refund request within 14 days of your purchase date.
Bootcamp Features
Laser Deep-Dive Videos
Watch comprehensive lessons that explain each core diode laser topic, so you’ll be equipped to apply them to the example projects AND to your own future projects.
“Over the Shoulder” Build Videos
For each example project, you’ll get to watch videos of me completing every step of the design and build process. These videos cover a few steps at a time, so that you can follow along with your own build.
Lightburn “Cheat Sheets”
Every project comes with our completed Lightburn file that you can download and use like a “cheat sheet” to identify and fix any problems you run into while designing your own version.
Lightburn Libraries & Presets
Get my 10W, 20W, and 40W Material Libraries containing carefully selected power/speed settings for every material used in the bootcamp.
I still recommend running material tests on your specific laser, BUT that’s easy to do using our 10W, 20W, and 40W Material Test Presets. We’ll also cover how to get your settings for ANY wattage, so don’t worry if you have a different wattage laser.
1-on-1 Email Support *
No messaging overseas support teams or posting desperately to forum boards. If you have a question, you can email me (JJ) directly, and I’ll get back to you with an answer.
* This support is only available with the “VIP tier” and is available for 14 days after joining.
FAQ
Here are answers to some questions you might have about the program:
Pricing
$297*
Everything you need to create your own original laser projects, with Lightburn and your diode laser.
*Depending on your location, local tax may be added at checkout.
$397*
Adds 1-on-1 email support with JJ, so you don’t have to hope for answers from online forums or Facebook groups.
*Depending on your location, local tax may be added at checkout.