Educator Guide

Empowering Creation in the Classroom

PART 1
Introducing Glowforge
What Glowforge is all about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How Glowforge is used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Who Glowforge is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Why educators love Glowforge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

PART 2
Getting to know your Glowforge
How your Glowforge works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Anatomy of your Glowforge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting up your Glowforge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Additional Glowforge products and information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Useful tools you can print for your Glowforge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PART 3
Putting your Glowforge to work
Using the Glowforge app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using catalog designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Designing with the Glowforge app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Cool tools and features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Uploading a design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Experimenting and prototyping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

PART 4
Teaching and learning with your Glowforge
Consider your goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Skills development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
The Glowforge lesson library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Classroom management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Storage and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Where to explore next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
 PART 1

Introducing Glowforge
What Glowforge is all about
“Desktop creating offers the same
power that desktop computing did
when I was a kid. It takes technology out
of industry and makes it accessible to a
new generation of children, who can use
it to build our future. From kindergarten
to grad school, educators and students
across the country are making the
technology of the future their own with
Glowforge. And together, I want to make
it available to everyone.”
—Dan Shapiro
CEO and Co-founder
Glowforge, Inc.

Our promise
Glowforge brings students’ ideas to life in minutes.

Our vision
We believe in a future where kids think first about making the things they
need, rather than buying them.

Our mission
We’re invested in preparing the next generation for the future by giving
them the opportunity to experience the joy of creation.

Our values
Comprehensive Learning Solution
Easy to Use
Built for Every Class
Fosters Innovation
Proven Choice in Schools

Educator Guide Introducing Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4
How Glowforge is used
Glowforge is a 3D laser printer that cuts, engraves, and scores hundreds of materials at the
push of a button! It takes the power of a factory and makes it safe for students, for worry-free
creation in any classroom, from kindergarten to high school. Glowforge integrates seamlessly
into existing curricula, so educators can spend more time teaching and less time planning.
Plus, students, educators, and parents alike can experience the magic of creation with the
easy-to-use Glowforge App.

With hundreds of lessons created and tested by educators, the Glowforge community makes
it easy to connect with a network of creators. From teaching and learning, to organizing
and decorating classrooms, to entrepreneurship and fundraising, Glowforge fosters student
engagement, imagination, and, most importantly, fun!

Educator Guide Introducing Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5
Who Glowforge is for
This adaptable 3D laser printer is the right tool for anyone who wants to create projects.
Glowforge pairs with any curricula or subject, so teachers and parents alike can better
cultivate innovation, self-expression, and creativity in their kids. With the push of a
button, anyone can create a perfect print!

Teachers
• Empower students to think creatively, use tech
effectively, and hone crucial real-world skills.
• Spark students’ imaginations and their own as they
watch creative ideas come to life.
• Take design challenges and problem- and project-
based learning to the next level.

Administrators
• Effectively support student outcomes and success in
schools and districts.
• Provide students opportunities for real-world
connections in the classroom.
• Nurture school culture with custom-created designs
and solutions.

Students
• Develop self-confidence by learning and applying valuable
skills while exploring new subjects and career pathways.
• Unlock imagination while solving real-world problems,
creating custom designs, meaningful solutions, and
collaborating with others.

School Community
• Engage the community in supporting students and
schools to achieve their goals.
• Create custom fundraising opportunities or events
with help from the Glowforge.

Educator Guide Introducing Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6
Why educators love Glowforge
With Glowforge, students embrace their curiosity and get excited about learning. Glowforge
provides opportunities for students of all ages, preschool to postgraduate, to experience the
joy of creating! Even students who’ve never used Glowforge can hold their finished creations
in a matter of minutes.
Glowforge’s state-of-the-art technology and easy-to-use app encourage students to hone
their digital skills and knowledge in order to prepare them for their future careers. Grounded
in research and practical real-world applications, this comprehensive learning solution helps
educators easily connect key pedagogies and disciplines with skills application, making real-
world learning not just possible, but tangible.

Fosters innovation with hands-on experiences

Glowforge’s state-of-the-art printing technology and easy-to-use design application support
experiential learning, encouraging students to foster innovation and hone their creativity
and problem-solving skills with real-world fabrication tools. Lessons such as Operation
Organization (bit.ly/3sOhsf6) and R3Design Studio (Repair, Repurpose, Recycle) (bit.ly/3wD2LOe)
challenge students to identify a customer’s need, problem solve to design a solution, build
and test a prototype, and print and deliver a customized design.

Promotes learning through experimenting and prototyping

Using Glowforge in your school fuels Design Thinking by empowering students to engage in
critical thinking with hands-on experimenting, prototyping, and creating to meet challenges
and solve problems. In lessons like Customized Pegboard (bit.ly/3Nu2LWv), students have the
opportunity to engage in design thinking protocols to identify needs and creatively craft
solutions that serve others in their schools.

EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Foster innovation
As an educator, Casey is always looking for ways to help his students bring their ideas
to life. No one could have imagined the incredible ways Glowforge would unlock new
methods of making for both Casey’s students- and himself!

“The Glowforge has been really effective as a beacon for drawing new students into our
curriculum. Being able to jump from your design to the Glowforge, cutting it, seeing if
your components align… it has revolutionized the way students are making work.”

—Casey Curran
Studio Supervisor and Educator
Hear more
Cornish College of the Arts
bit.ly/3MLgY5a

Educator Guide Introducing Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7
Offers applied skills in action EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT
Glowforge lessons like Imagination in 3D
(bit.ly/3Gc5JMQ) and Customized Games
(bit.ly/3PCMhgu) provide opportunities
for students to become makers and Built for every class
innovators. They apply critical thinking When Patrick added a Glowforge to
skills, explore their own creativity, and his technology lessons, suddenly
use cool features like the Trace and Print his students could spend their
tool (bit.ly/38Lwhs3), all while leaning into time creating and experimenting
the excitement of creation. Students (instead of struggling to learn
see these ideas come to life before complicated software). Teaching
their eyes through iteration, designing, students how to use Glowforge only
printing, and assembling! takes a few minutes, so Patrick gets
to spend the rest of his lessons
Paves career pathways exploring concepts and skills that
his students will use for the rest
of the future of their lives, no matter what the
With its dynamic technology, Glowforge future holds.
provides access and entry points
to excite and encourage students
to explore STEM- and STEAM-based “Glowforge has transformed how
careers. Students step into roles that we approach making and innovation
offer hands-on opportunities to apply with even our youngest students.
interdisciplinary knowledge in science, It’s been quite magical having this
technology, engineering, art, and machine. We keep our Glowforge
math. You can see this in action in the on a low table so that even the
Animated Servo Robot lesson youngest students can walk up to
(bit.ly/3GjSPMT), as students combine the it and open the lid. It’s become a
app’s amazing design functions with the regular part of the school day.”
simplicity of micro:bit coding to create
and program their very own motorized
robots. —Patrick Benfield
Innovation Director
Glowforge allows students to step The Magellan School
into roles of the future by solving real-
world problems through the relevant
application of soft and technical skills
such as critical thinking and problem-
solving. Career and Technical Education
(CTE) comes alive with lessons like the Hear more
Tiny Home Challenge (bit.ly/3LzHK3u),
bit.ly/3MMbFyD
where students put their architectural
and engineering skills to the test by
designing an energy-efficient Tiny Home.

Educator Guide Introducing Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 8
 PART 2

Getting to know your Glowforge

How your Glowforge works
Traditional 3D Printer Glowforge 3D Laser Printer

Uses additive fabrication Uses subtractive fabrication

Slowly builds up layer by layer of material Starts with a piece of raw material and
to create a print. carves, engraves, and sculpts the final form.

Did you know Glowforge uses a beam of infrared light the width of a human hair to print?
The glass tube inside your Glowforge operates like a neon sign, glowing when electricity
is applied. Specially tuned mirrors amplify that light and create the laser beam that prints
the designs you and your students create together. Because Glowforge uses subtractive
fabrication, it works with hundreds of materials and prints quickly, with some prints finished
in as little as two minutes.

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10
Anatomy of your Glowforge
Let’s take a quick tour of the parts you’ll need to know.

Front Lid
The see-through lid
allows you to watch your
Printer Head designs come to life.
Where the laser
arm is attached so Lid Camera
it can seamlessly A wide-angle camera
move around the takes a picture of your
machine to cut, material so you can
score, and engrave. place and situate your
design elements where
Rail you want them on the
What the Laser material.
Arm is attached to
to move the print
head around.

Passthrough Slot Crumb Tray Button

(Pro only) A slot in the A black, metal tray Push to make the magic happen!
front and back that with honeycomb to
allows you to print Blinking White: Ready to Print—
support the material
with materials that Press to start or to pause while
and catch leftover
are 20” wide, up to ¼” printing.
print bits.
thick, and as long as Teal: Broadcasting signal for
you want. connecting to the Wi-Fi.
Yellow: There is an issue that must
be resolved for printing to resume.

Rear

ON/OFF Switch Exhaust Connection

Main power switch Where you connect
for the Glowforge. the exhaust hose to a
vent or the air filter.

Passthrough Slot
(Pro only) Same as front.

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11
Setting up your Glowforge
Unboxing
The box and packaging is specially designed to protect your Glowforge during transit. Be
sure to keep the box and packing materials, you’ll need all the original parts: boxes, handle
locks, foam, plastic wrap, and important orange and red bits if you have to have your
Glowforge serviced. Replacement packing materials are $249.

Consider a Location
Access
Who will be using the Glowforge: students, educators,
administrators, other staff? Will they be able to access it
directly or through an educator? Will students have access
to it outside of classroom hours?
Usage
Will it be running all day? Will multiple educators and
classrooms be using the same machine? Will there be a
schedule for reserving access for projects or class periods?
Visibility
Where can you locate your Glowforge so everyone can watch the magic happen? Ensure
there is enough room for students to gather around the printer without knocking the
machine or the ventilation tube.
Ventilation
How will you keep your space well ventilated? You should only operate your Glowforge unit
when it is exhausted to the outdoors or through the Glowforge Air Filter.
• Does your space have a vent or window? Great! Connect your venting hose to a 4” outdoor
exhaust vent, the same as used for a dryer, or extend it out an open window and allow the
hose to extend out at least three feet from the window unobstructed.
• Is your space windowless? No problem! The Glowforge Air Filter (bit.ly/3abV67x) lets you put
your Glowforge anywhere. It sits on the ground near your Glowforge printer and cleans
the air, allowing you to operate it anywhere in your school!

Prepare a Surface PRO TIP

Glowforge needs a surface that is hard, flat, Use a cart
and stable to ensure accurate prints, free If your Glowforge is going to be shared
from classroom to classroom, you will want
movement of the doors, and to prevent
to use a heavy duty cart that properly
misalignment or damage. Consider choosing fits the Glowforge. Make sure if the cart
a low enough surface so students of all ages has a lip, it doesn’t interfere with the door
can access the Glowforge and watch its magic! opening or the Pro Passthrough slot.

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12
Additional Glowforge products and information
Product and information Description

Air filter The air filter lets you use your Glowforge anywhere
(bit.ly/3abV67x) without having to have a vent or window

Spare parts Lost a part or need a replacement? Glowforge

(bit.ly/3yV5Fj9) has you covered from shipping materials to
replacement lenses to air filter cartridges.
Whatever you need, you can find it here!

Unboxing & Setting Find step by step directions and videos in

Up Your Glowforge Unboxing & Setting Up Support.
(bit.ly/3yV5jJ6)

Glowforge User Use the Glowforge Manual to explore safety

Manual (Full) information, a set up guide, and servicing and
support information.
(bit.ly/3acjtU9)

Find answers to many of your questions and it’s

Help Center online, so it is always up to date.
Safety
(bit.ly/3H6ebdb)

Learn by Doing
(bit.ly/3LGadfK)

Servicing
(bit.ly/3Nwzk6d)

Troubleshooting
(bit.ly/3Gc75aj9)

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 13
Materials
With Glowforge, there is a world of materials all around to use. Your Glowforge can print
objects using hundreds of beautiful materials like leather, acrylic, hardwood, fabric - items you
can find just about anywhere! Glowforge can cut through materials that are up to ½” thick and
engrave on materials up to 2” thick when you remove the crumb tray.

Found materials
Glowforge also works great with found materials that may be collected and used later or
maybe even rescued from the recycle bin. Keeping these materials on hand for future projects
will save time and money! Here are a few materials that are usually readily available and
inexpensive that work well with the Glowforge.

Cardboard Copy paper and cardstock

A common material found in abundance These materials work great to create

in most schools, so save those boxes! lanterns (bit.ly/3Gaswb67), trifold designs
Cardboard is excellent for creating props (bit.ly/3NzTahk), or greeting cards
(bit.ly/3eDt5BK), characters (bit.ly/3GaDH4v), (bit.ly/38IMIFz).
or costumes (bit.ly/3wCFnJW), engaging in
design challenges, or prototyping before
using a more expensive material.

Be sure to research what materials are made of to ensure they are laser-safe. Contact the
manufacturer, inspect their safety data sheet (SDS), and/or consult an expert to determine if
each material is compatible with the CO2 laser inside the Glowforge unit. You can also check
out the Glowforge Community page where users have tested most materials and share the
best settings to use for perfect prints.
It is imperative you do not skip material research. Some materials are not laser-friendly and can
give off fumes or catch fire. Learn how to evaluate other materials on Glowforge TV Basics with
Bailey (bit.ly/3Lz7Yne).

PRO TIP PRO TIP

Pop of color Remember!
You can purchase colored cardboard and Don’t leave Glowforge unattended
cardstock from crafting stores or online. when printing projects.
These can add a pop of color to projects
and make designs more interesting!

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 14
Proofgrade Materials
If you want to skip the material research, you’ll love Proofgrade materials. They are sourced,
prepared, encoded, and lab-tested for perfect printing with Glowforge every time. Each
piece of Proofgrade is uniquely encoded, so your Glowforge can automatically choose the
lab-tested settings for perfect prints.

Material Techniques & Notes Types of Projects Sample Project

Leather Great for wet forming and Bags, bookmarks, bracelets, Illuminated Cuff Bracelet
embossing accessories, and wallets (bit.ly/h6D3yZb)
Step-by-Step Tracker
(bit.ly/3wJgWjQ)

Plywood Great for engraving Scale model designs, wall My Life, My Mixtape
hangings, and desktop (bit.ly/3a6tqdt)
Core is stronger in one
accessories
direction than the other Community Shadowbox
Dioramas (bit.ly/3wC5wZW)
Edges are unfinished

Acrylic Great for heat molding, inlays, Jewelry, kitchen or bathroom Bucket Fillers (Pass it On!)
contrasting engraves goods, and window or (bit.ly/3wFx374)
display-case effects
Transparency type: Clear Illuminated Solar System
and Opaque and Finish type: (bit.ly/3sUB4hH)
Glossy or Matte

Veneer Great for stickers, layering, Keyboard or laptop covers, Slide Up Veneer Card Holder
inset into contrasting labels, name tags, and menus (bit.ly/3Gf5f8B)
plywood or hardwoods
Finished surface with an
adhesive backing

Hardwood Great for exposed edges Desktop accessories, gifts, Roll the Dice
heirloom-quality keepsakes (bit.ly/3akebxN)
Surfaces and edges are
like boxes, jewelry, and
finished
plaques

Draftboard Great for prototyping and Structural and decorative Multiuse Photo Booth Props
decorating with paint wood projects. Prototyping (bit.ly/3NwA8MR)
before printing a final version
Unfinished surface takes Customized Games
using finished materials (bit.ly/3PCMhgu)
paint and adhesives

Purchase
bit.ly/38bPF5L

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 15
Useful tools you can print for your Glowforge
Print tools help you keep materials in place as you print! Pins are great for holding down
lightweight material like cardstock and holding down scraps of material so you have less
waste. Magnets work great for holding thinner materials like veneer and cardboard in place.
Guides help get the perfect line up every time when you are printing duplicates and want
them to be identical. Below you can find a variety of tools created by Glowforge Community
members to help in every situation.
Tools Tool Description

Honeycomb pins These easy-to-print pins fit in the honeycomb on the

bit.ly/39Hy3Mp crumb tray to hold smaller scraps and lightweight materials
in place while the laser is running. These pins insert at an
angle.

Right angle fence pin These pins create a fence that ensures materials line up
bit.ly/38hep8k perfectly every time. They help ensure there is consistency
when printing multiples of the same design.

Straddler pins These pins are great for holding various materials in place
bit.ly/3Gdtcvd and perfect for using as a placement guide! They can be
inserted at a different angle than honeycomb pins.

Magnets Using magnets on slightly warped or very lightweight

bit.ly/3an2Kxf materials like paper help keep the material level, in place,
and give a more consistent cut. Wrap a piece of duct or
gaffer tape around the magnet creating a tab to easily lift
it off the honeycomb tray.

Guides This design combines magnets and fence pins for placing
bit.ly/3w3g9Qu materials securely on the bed every time with easy-to-lift
off tabs built into the design.

Educator Guide Getting to know your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 16
 PART 3

Putting your Glowforge to work

Using the Glowforge app
The Glowforge web-based app allows you to create your own designs from scratch, upload
and customize catalog designs, or import a design from third-party software.

Glowforge accounts

Glowforge Print Glowforge Premium

A free lifetime subscription. An annual subscription service.

With Print, you can use third-party design Premium allows you to access the design
software to create designs, then upload tools in the Glowforge app, including the
your files and print them on the Glowforge. creative tools, graphics and font library,
You can create Glowforge-compatible various customization tools, and thousands
files from various software platforms like of catalog prints at no extra cost. Premium
Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDraw, accounts also have unlimited design
Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Autodesk 360, & storage! Most schools and organizations
Sketchup. Printing is as simple as dragging opt for this option.
and dropping the file directly into the
Glowforge app.

Logging in and managing users

The main account owner is the first person to set up the Glowforge app and will be
responsible for creating accounts for other users. You will want to think about who this main
account owner will be. Ideally, it should be someone who has easy access to your Glowforge,
can assign and approve account requests, and has a good understanding of how to safely
use the Glowforge.
Setting up your school’s first account
Go to glowforge.com/create-account.
Fill in the required information, including
an email to which you have access.
Glowforge will send you a confirmation
email. When you open the email it will
prompt you to create a password.
You will need to have the physical
printer accessible to you to begin
setup. Click the Begin Setup button,
and Glowforge will walk you through
the process. Your Glowforge must be
connected to the Wi-Fi during the
setup process.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 18
Setting up additional user accounts
PRO TIP
The main account owner can add other users Print or Premium?
manually in the app, or the user can request You don’t have to pay to use
access at glowforge.com/create-account. Glowforge software, but you can
Requesting access requires a valid email address upgrade to Premium for premium
to access a link from Glowforge to create a features. CTE and art classes may
only need a Print account to upload
password and activate the account. their designs from a third-party
The main account owner can approve requests, design software to the Glowforge.
create unlimited users for the Glowforge, and
designate who has access to the Premium options.
Setting up additional users
You may need to create a user account for other school community members like those
in PTAs, PTOs, or booster clubs. After you set up these user accounts, users will be able to
purchase catalog designs using their own credit card or PayPal account and upgrade to
Premium if they choose.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 19
Using catalog designs
The Glowforge design catalog is full of ready-to-print functional and beautiful designs!
Premium users have access to a collection of beautiful designs that have been tested and
proven to print perfectly on Proofgrade material every time.
Getting started is so easy! Simply search the catalog, select a design, and it will automatically
load into the Glowforge app. Position the design on your material in the app, push the button,
and—just like that—you are creating with the Glowforge!
For catalog designs that are more complex or use multiple materials, you may notice multiple
prints for the design appear in the app dashboard. This is completely normal. Prints are
numbered and even reference the specific material you’ll need! Print them in order and follow
any instructions in the design details window.

Once the design has loaded, you can use the tools to customize the design for your needs! In
the next section, you will learn how to add decorations or text using the Premium design tools
in the Glowforge app. Change the size! Try different materials!

PRO TIP PRO TIP

Purchasing Designs Design Customizations
Some designs are available for an When customizing or resizing catalog
additional cost. When purchasing a design, designs, be mindful of joinery such as
there are usually two options: you can slots or finger joints; they may need to be
pay per print, good for a one-time only adjusted. Try using cardboard or draftboard
print, or you can pay a slightly higher cost first to test print the design to check fit and
for unlimited prints, good for printing the save any joinery issues on more expensive
design as many times as you need! materials later!

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20
Designing with the Glowforge app
The Glowforge app allows you to customize and create designs from scratch! If you can
dream it, you can design it! Design with a core set of tools in Glowforge Print like cut, score
and engrave, upload a design, and the trace tool. Premium users have access to the full set of
design features students need to bring their ideas to life. The design tools can also be used to
add customizations to any design from the catalog.

Laser design basics

Before you continue, it’s useful to understand the three things your laser does.

Cut Score Engrave

The laser moves slowly The laser moves quickly The laser moves quickly
along a path, at full power, along a path at lower power back and forth, turning on
to cut all the way through to draw a line that does not and off thousands of times
the material. go all the way through the per second to create an
material. image on the surface.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21
Glowforge App Dashboard
When you sign into the Glowforge App, you will see your dashboard. At the top left, there are
three buttons. Quick links to the latest information on your Glowforge can be found in the
bottom right of the Dashboard window.

New Design (in Teal) Upload

Enter the Glowforge Upload PDF/SVG/DXF files from
Trace
App interface to third-party design software to
print with your Glowforge. Create a design from something (e.g.,
create from scratch. a hand drawing or a photograph)
that you place in the print bed.

Latest improvements Help Center

Find out what Glowforge has improved to make Troubleshoot and get answers to your questions
using your Glowforge even easier! by searching the Help Center library.

Glowforge Community Glowforge Manuals

Meet a group of incredible folks also using the Get a quick link to the Glowforge manual, the air
Glowforge who love to help you brainstorm, filter manual, and the compact filter manuals.
troubleshoot, and experiment. The Glowforge
Community is a great place to find inspiration, Keyboard Shortcuts
discover answers to questions you might have, Access a quick reference guide to helpful
and connect other Glowforge users. Community keyboard shortcuts.
members also have great tips and tricks for using
your Glowforge! Free Glowforge PRO LSO Training
Use the Glowforge Pro Laser Safety Officer (LSO)
How to & Inspiration Training Materials to help you comply with your
Explore step-by-step first prints to help you learn LSO responsibilities and ensure that you operate
what you can do with your Glowforge by doing it! your Glowforge Pro safely.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 22
Glowforge App Top Toolbar

Material Settings Hand Redo Shape

Get the perfect settings for Pan the Replace the Insert a line, square,
Proofgrade. After scanning work area in last action circle, star, or polygon.
the QR code the settings the app. It and restore
load automatically. If you are moves the any actions
providing the material, this area, not that were
is where you can enter the the design. previously Text
thickness of your materials in undone using Choose from over 900 fonts to add
inches. an undo. text to your designs.

Triple Dots (More)

See next page.
Zoom Arrow Plus
Zoom in or out of Select Add artwork from the robust icon, graphic,
your design to be elements of and artwork library in the app. Here you can
more precise with the design search and add artwork to your designs.
placement and on the app. The option to trace and upload files is
design. available here too.
Undo
Remove the last action and undo the
actions in the order you did them.

PRO TIP PRO TIP

Shape tool Text tool
Save your favorite fonts by selecting the heart
under the font. It will save into the Favorite
folder at the top of the fonts page.
• Holding shift while drawing a line gives you a
perfectly horizontal, vertical, or 45° angle as
you adjust the size.
• Holding shift while resizing a square, circle,
star, and polygon allows you to create
shapes without aspect ratios.
• Square and Polygon: Lets you create other
shapes. You can choose the number of
points (3-50) for your shape and/or round
the corners.
• Star: Change the number and sharpness of
the points and round the corners.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 23
Glowforge App Top Toolbar (continued)

Refresh Bed Image Triple Dots (More)

Clear the last image
Set focus
taken by the Glowforge Measure the distance between the
camera so you can place printhead and the top of the material at
your new design. a spot you choose. This allows the laser
to focus precisely during printing.

Design Details Export Design

Access instructions Export the design you made in the
for assembling your Glowforge app as an SVG file to bring into
print from the catalog. another design software. Note: Glowforge
catalog designs cannot be exported.
Past Prints
Revert to Pro Passthrough
a previous
Turn on passthrough if printing larger
version of a
prints. Once you’ve selected Pro
design.
Passthrough, you’ll see a zoomed-out
image of the bed with a dashed line.

Glowforge air filter attached

This should be on if using the air
filter unit or off if filtering through a
vent or window.

Units
Change the in app measurements
between inches and centimeters.

Preferences

Colors
Change color contrast options in the app.

Snap strength
Show guides for placing items in varying levels:
low, medium, high, and very high.

Line thickness
Choose between more
precise or more visible lines.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 24
Other tools
Other tools appear when an object is selected.

Outline Tool

Flip Vertical
Flips selected object or text
of a design left to right.

Flip Horizontal
Flips selected object or text
of a design top to bottom.
Patterned Line

Puzzle Maker

Stamp Maker

Ruler Align option

Change the position, size, and scale of selected items.

Choose what part of your artwork you want to remain in
the same spot, and use the 3x3 dot array to indicate the
center, a particular edge, or corner of your selection.
• Change the X and Y positions to precisely move Align shapes, artwork, and text top,
selected objects. middle, bottom and left, center, and
right. This also allows you to evenly
• Set a selected object’s W (width) or H (height) space selected items.
dimension to resize it.
• Use the 3x3 dot array to control whether the changes
are relative to the center, edge, or corner of the
selection.
• By default, your selection scales proportionately. Click
the link icon to make it stretch instead.
• Hold down the shift key when resizing to reverse the
lock icon behavior.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 25
Design File Naming Convention
When creating a new design the file name defaults to ‘new design’, so deciding on a naming
convention is helpful for users to find and manage design files on their dashboard.
To create a naming convention consider the following:
• Adding a name or initials: first initial last name
• Adding a date: helps define versions or old files for deletion
• Adding a class period or educator initials: determines which project is for which class

The naming convention might be the date in yy-mm student first initial and last name format
and a period or educator’s initials. Example: 22-04 J.Student P3 ER.

Renaming a Design

In the Glowforge You can also rename

app, the file’s the file in the
name is in the Dashboard view by
top left of the clicking on the design
app. Clicking on image, then the triple
it allows you to dots in the top right
rename the file. corner, and clicking
rename.

PRO TIP
Searching for Designs
If you don’t see your design on the first page of the Dashboard, you can search for
designs by name. At the bottom of the screen, click on the “View all designs…” button.
On the new page, there is a sort button in the top right and a search by name box

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 26
Cool tools and features
Tools Tool Description

Trace and Print Glowforge makes it easy to personalize your designs with custom
(bit.ly/38Lwhs3) artwork using the Trace option in the Glowforge app. All you need is
a white piece of paper and a black marker. You can write a quote or a
personal note, draw an original design, or trace something. Once your
artwork is created, you can pop it into your Glowforge, and hit Import
Artwork, and then the Trace button. Now you can choose what parts
of the image to engrave, or if it is a closed shape—cut it out. Resize
and position your drawing onto your design and have a one-of-a-
kind print!

Pro Passthrough Passthrough is only available on the Glowforge Pro. Pro Passthrough
Slot software lets you print oversized designs that wouldn’t normally fit
in the Glowforge tray. This allows materials 20” wide, up to ¼” thick,
(bit.ly/3gD2vZf)
and as long as you want! The software allows you to upload your
design and then prompts you to move and align the material through
the printer as it completes each section.
Note: You will need to remove the Pro Shields before you print, and
remember to replace them when you are done.

Outline Tool Create a flowing cutline around your design with just one click.
(bit.ly/3wFRwdr) Select a collection of SVGs, text, shapes, or anything else then click.
Drag the slider for a wider or narrower space between the line and
your art. You’ll create beautiful designs in just minutes.

Patterned Line Add stunning details to your design with just a few clicks or
(bit.ly/3ayUxSR) functional designs such as stitching holes or tabs that hold small
parts into the sheet you’re cutting them from.

Puzzle Maker Quickly and easily turn any artwork into a puzzle with just a few
(bit.ly/38ykYdM) clicks. Create puzzles out of engraved photos, or create an original
design, then apply the Puzzle Maker tool, and the Glowforge will
instantly add puzzle piece cuts to your design! Just like that, you
have a hands-on learning tool!

Stamp Maker Turn your artwork or design into a stamp. Create your own inspiring
(bit.ly/39MTdqS) quotes for grading, create a logo for a class project or let students
create stamps with their original designs for creating customized art!
The Stamp Maker inverts your artwork, so it is raised up when you
print it. Print a handle and add ink to start using your custom stamp!

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 27
Uploading a design
Glowforge lets you print files created in third-party design software that you might already
use with your students. Simply convert the files to a Glowforge supported file: PNG, JPG, PDF,
or SVG, and upload them to the Glowforge app. With this feature, authentic learning quickly
moves from ideation to design to print!

Task Tools

Software for exporting Apple Keynote Google Slides Microsoft

The Glowforge can Engrave from a JPG or Allows exporting of Allows exporting of PowerPoint
PNG image file, and it can Cut or Engrave PDF, JPG, and PNG JPG, PNG, PDF, and Allows exporting of
from SVG and PDF files. This means you files. SVG files. PDF, JPG, and PNG
can create something in popular software files.
you already use, convert it to one of the
supported files, and print! No design
experience required!

Design software for cutting and Inkscape Adobe Illustrator CorelDRAW

scoring (bit.ly/38fduFm) (adobe.ly/3PDCx5O) (bit.ly/3yXD8ck)
These software options are great for A professional A professional-grade An advanced layout
creating advanced designs with complex quality, free, open- vector graphics and publishing
shapes. They can also be used to create source vector design software, an industry software used to
dimensionally accurate designs that slot software. standard for graphic create and print
together like boxes, mechanisms, and designers. designs.
other 3D objects.

Software for photo engraving GIMP Adobe Photoshop

Photo editing programs are useful (bit.ly/3yXSygQ) (adobe.ly/3PDCx5O)
for enhancing photos and images for A free, professional- A professional-
engraving. These programs are best quality, open-source grade image editing
for preparing images to be engraved image and photo software used to
and perfect for retouching photos for editor that easily edit and enhance
engraving or creating grayscale images resizes, recolors, photographs and
for 3D engraving. crops, rotates, and images.
manipulates images.

Software for 3D designs SketchUp Fusion 360 AutoCAD

Computer-aided design (CAD) programs (bit.ly/3NBW6tc) (autode.sk/3sTZ7NC) (autode.sk/3yXDosc)
are a great tool if you need to create A 3D modeling A commercial
A commercial
3D models and designs! While you software that lets computer-aided
computer-aided
can’t directly upload 3D models to the you create and edit design and drafting
design and drafting
Glowforge app, this software allows you 3D models with software used to
software used to
to design a 3D object, export it into a 2D simpler and more create 2D and 3D
create 2D and 3D
design, and then print it with Glowforge. intuitive tools. designs.
designs.
CAD programs are great for modeling and
testing complex 3D prints before printing
and for creating height maps for 3D
engraving projects.

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 28
Experimenting and prototyping
Experimentation and prototyping are essential practices in the learning and design process.
Glowforge is an invaluable tool for supporting the desire to improve, invent, and design.
Students can apply real-world skills and knowledge to modify devices and tools or design
unique, new solutions.
Experimentation leads to opportunities to discover new ideas and allows students to
approach problems from different perspectives. Encourage students to explore materials they
use in different projects. For example, try using a light-colored acrylic instead of engraving
wood so they can write on it with a dry erase or wet erase marker and reuse the design class-
to-class or year-after-year!
Prototyping a working model requires students to use logical thinking skills as they innovate
their ideas. It helps students lean into the design process as they build and test their ideas,
evaluate their solutions, and refine those solutions by gathering feedback from peers and
community members. Engineering challenges can be designed, tested, and redesigned into a
perfect print using low cost and readily available materials like cardboard.

Designing with Cardboard PRO TIP

Check out all the ways you can use cardboard to make connections from the
Exploratorium (bit.ly/3LYuCj7).

Educator Guide Putting your Glowforge to work education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 29
 PART 4

Teaching and learning

with your Glowforge
Consider your goal
Glowforge helps you teach your students concrete skills that they learn by doing! To get
started, consider your goal for the learning experience. What will be the most effective project
to facilitate learning for students?
Do you want to create tools for learning or tactile experiences for your students?
• Tools like the Noticing Patterns (bit.ly/3wLY9rq) spiral drawing set help students explore
lessons on curves, radius, and radial symmetry in math and art.
• Create your own layered map for a geography lesson making abstract concepts more
tangible.
Do you want students to solve a real world problem?
• With Glowforge students can build and test their designs. The iteration process strengthens
their learning and understanding. Try the Tiny Home Challenge (bit.ly/3LzHj3u) to get started.
• Create an authentic product for a project-based learning unit. Use the Glowforge app to
design a solution, print it, test it, and redesign it!
Do you need students to be exposed to different design skills?
• Glowforge works with many design programs that support SVG, PDF, JPG and PNG files types.
Students’ designs become a reality they can touch and manipulate or redesign as often as
needed.
• Using the Glowforge reinforces spatial reasoning skills, the ability to think in 3D, as they
design. This is a critical skill in the STEM/ STEAM fields that students can practice in the
classroom.

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 31
Skills development
Skill Application

Analytical thinking and innovation Student engagement skyrockets when they choose real-life
issues in their community to iterate on or solve. Students
Tackle a complex problem by collecting and
will love designing solutions to repair, repurpose, or recycle
evaluating information and designing creative
everyday items that might otherwise be thrown away in
solutions!
R3design Studio (bit.ly/3wD2L6e).

Design Thinking Students use empathy and innovation during the design
process to make the best design for the intended user. Get your
Observe end users to empathize, brainstorm,
students focused on purpose as it affects the end-user with
prototype, and test ideas.
Robotic Arm Helper (bit.ly/385CyVB).

Active learning Create learning tools that can help students visualize their
learning. Hexagonal Thinking (bit.ly/3yWUtCt) is great for getting
Involve students in hands-on and meaningful
students to think critically and creatively while tangibly
ways to increase engagement and improve
mapping this thinking.
learning and understanding.

Complex problem-solving Students will execute more elegant designs and seek out
challenges as they explore all of the capabilities of the
Identify what is happening, define the
Glowforge. Encourage students to explore endless possibilities
elements of the issue, consider solutions and
by experimenting and prototyping with Glowforge’s design
act to resolve the issue.
tools!

Critical thinking and analysis Students get hands-on experience creating designs,
challenging the limits of different materials, working through
Observe and identify challenges, then define
issues, and designing creative solutions! Exploring the Miracle
a creative solution.
Hinge (bit.ly/3LLAJEs) gets students exploring the capabilities of
the Glowforge beyond a flat, two-dimensional print!

Communication and coaching Students love learning in teams. Use Assembly Instruction
Designers (bit.ly/38LWGW5) to challenge students to first
Convey ideas to team members and guide
assemble a helicopter without instructions, and then write
others to help them achieve their goals.
instructions that communicate clearly, concisely, and
sequentially reproducible results.

Creativity, originality, and initiative Students can create anything they imagine and design using
the Glowforge app. Encourage students to explore the design
Remove constraints and give students new
catalog for techniques they hadn’t considered. Educators can
ways to solve problems or make their ideas
visit a section in all of the lessons called Reimagine that offers
come to life!
alternate ideas for using the design in other meaningful ways or
inspiration for the next activity!

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 32
The Glowforge lesson library
The Glowforge Education Lesson Library (bit.ly/3lE223Z) features dynamic learning experiences
that offer educators the support to facilitate students in planning, creating, customizing,
printing, and using their designs. Based on themes like improving everyone’s experience at
school, practicing design thinking, collaboration, prototyping, STEAM, project-based learning,
and civic engagement, you can find something for any subject area or grade level!

Anatomy of a lesson
These lessons, created by educators for educators, include:
Products Reviews Watch EDU FAQ Community Gallery Contact Us Buy Glowforge

Community Luminaries

! Grade and standards

Reflection questions
! !

alignment
Grade Level
Difficulty Duration
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
Intermediate 1 hour
and 12

to provide opportunities for Subjects

Art Standards
with scaffolding for
metacognition and formative
Citizenship ISTE 1.3: Knowledge Vocab

adapting up or down
Craft Constructor + Luminary
History ISTE 1.6: Creative Heroes
Communicator +

assessment
Student Gifts
Teacher Gifts

Licensing

Pro tips Author

Glowforge

to provide best practices for

teaching, learning, and creating
Resources and handouts
Enhancements and
to help frame and support
extensions Lesson Handout
the learning experience
for ways to remix and reimagine
the experience Overview
Heroes are everywhere! Community heroes make a positive difference by helping others. For example, they might visit the lonely, pick up litter, volunteer at a food pantry, or even put out
Lesson overview
fires! Their actions can be large or small and sometimes go unnoticed, but they make the community a better place. In this activity, students recognize local heroes and honor them with a

Assessment support
luminary highlighting their community contributions. These honorific luminaries can be displayed throughout the community, recognizing important contributions and inspiring others!
to set the context and
with single-point rubrics
Objective build excitement around
the learning experience
Thematic Questions:

for both educator and peer

How can we honor local heroes by creating luminaries that represent their contributions to our community?
How do we use symbolism to create meaningful representations of our community heroes?

Outcomes:

assessment
Thematic questions
Students will…

Identify a local hero and research their contributions.

Design and create a symbolic representation of the hero on a luminary shade.
Explain the symbolism in their community luminary shade.

Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students to balance between content
knowledge, technical skills,
1. Knowledge Constructor– Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning

PRO TIP
experiences for themselves and others.
2. Creative Communicator– Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats, and digital media

and soft skills

appropriate to their goals.

Supplies
For each luminary you will need:

Mix it up
1x Plywood (Finished) Light
20lb Copy paper
LED Tea Light
Tape or glue

Remix and Reimagine

Poster paper

Catalog Designs
ideas help you ideate
how a design might
work for your class Contemporary Art Lightwave Paper Lantern

or a specific project. Design Files

They are great ways
to extend the learning
or enhance the lesson Description Getting ready guidance
Lesson Outline:
you are working on! Get Ready:
to help educators
prepare for the learning
1. Read through the activity details to review the steps for completing the activity.
2. Read the directions in the Community Luminaries Directions handout for more details to help inspire successful designs.
3. Gather all of the materials needed to print.

experience
4. Purchase LED tea lights in advance.
5. Consider printing the stands you will need in advance to save time.
6. Print out copies of the Community Luminaries Shade Template handout for each student.
7. Put the Community Luminaries Shade Template handout in a shared folder so students can access the PDF file or you can upload it to the Glowforge app for your students in advance.
Once you upload it you can rename the file to the student or group’s name for easy management.
8. Contact a community space, like a public library or town hall, and ask if you can display the community luminaries.
9. Consider creating and printing an example luminary for students to explore.

Production Time:
Print – Time will vary with each design Assemble – 5 minutes

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge

Rubric:
education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Use this optional rubric for student self-reflection or formative feedback throughout the Community Luminaries experience.
33
Classroom management
The Glowforge is a magical device for students and educators alike. Use these tips to keep
things running smoothly during your projects.

Design anytime, anywhere

When access to Glowforge is limited by physical space, you can still teach with it! Since the
app is web-based, you just need access to the Internet to create and send designs to the
printer.
If there is no access to the Internet, students can still use alternatives such as Google Draw,
Captivate, Tinkercad or any other third-party design tools. Once Internet access is restored,
simply upload your design and voila!
One way to successfully approach Glowforge projects is to give students the assignment
with time built in to explore the parameters and really understand the objectives. Next,
students can brainstorm their solutions using a design process to facilitate ideation. After
ideation, students can digitize their design using the Glowforge app or a design software
of their choice. They can even take a picture of their design and upload it as a JPG to the
Glowforge app. Once they print their prototype, it’s time to test it and reiterate their design
based on real-world feedback!

Time management
Glowforge can only print one design on one material at a time. Remember to build in time to
stagger printing.
Some prints can take longer to print depending on the design or the material. Glowforge will
tell you the print time at the beginning of your print and you can pause printing at any time
by hitting the white print button. Printing will resume when you are ready with another press
of the button. Note: If you open the lid or click Cancel, it will cancel the print.
Introduce students to the tools in the Glowforge
app before they log in for the first time, making
sure to discuss:
• Naming conventions for files
• Creating a print
• Tools available
• Resizing a design
• The difference between score, engrave, and cut
• Grouping and ungrouping
• How to order different elements of the print

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 34
Student experts
As students learn and become familiar with Glowforge, they can help each other. Utilize
their know-how, creativity, and imagination with student expert roles. A few suggested
roles include:

Role Description

App Architect Do you have a tech-forward student who likes to push buttons
to see what will happen? Encourage this student to help others
master the possibilities of the design tools and learn the ins and
outs of the app.

Construction Coach Have a student who loves working with their hands and
building things? Ask them to assemble the prints or coach their
classmates on assembling more complex prints.

Design Developer Have an artistic student that thrives on creating or who is very
visual? This student can help others with concept development or
design in the planning or post-printing phase.

Printer Pro Have a student enamored by the Glowforge printer? The printer
cannot be left unattended while printing, so this student can
watch the printer and alert you to any issues while you are
facilitating learning experiences.

Materials Marvel Have a student that loves to organize or is passionate about

recycling? This student can organize the materials and suggest
the best use of scraps so that waste is limited and you get the
most out of your materials.

Experimentation Have a student who likes working through a challenge? This

Expert student can help classmates through the prototyping phase
when their design needs iteration. They can troubleshoot the
design with their classmates and make suggestions to make it
function as intended.

Tip Titan Did a student discover a way to streamline a process or a

suggestion for using the app more efficiently? This could be any
student any day you are working with the Glowforge. Students
discover and master tools really quickly, so don’t lose out on
their wisdom. Add these suggestions or ideas to a document or
Glowforge journal to refer to for the next project.

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 35
Collaboration
Teamwork makes the design work! Collaborative learning develops higher-level thinking
skills while boosting students’ confidence and self-esteem. It is important when planning
an activity to ensure that all students play an important role to keep engagement high and
ensure the participation of all team members.
When students are working collaboratively, we recommend groups of 2-3 students max.
• Have students plan out their design before using the Glowforge app. This will minimize the
amount of time they use the app if computer access is limited.
• Encourage students to explore and play with the app to find design elements to add to their
projects.
• As one student uses the app, encourage the others to give guidance from any plans or
prototypes they developed before printing.
• Encourage groups to rotate their roles frequently so everyone gets a chance to use the app
and develop their design skills.

PRO TIP
Ambassadors Program
The Education Ambassador program (bit.ly/3yWVf5T) is designed to recognize and celebrate educators who
are creating amazing things. It is where you can share designs, lesson plans, ideas, and innovations with
fellow Ambassadors who successfully use Glowforge in their classrooms.

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 36
Preparing for a lesson Customizing your finished print
Pre-upload and rename files Having the right tool on hand for when you
are working on assembling or customizing
With your own designs, you can quickly
your finished print is essential to a smooth
duplicate and rename the files. If you
process. Creating caddies for organizing
are working with younger students or
your tools is an excellent time-saving idea!
you need to get started on a project
Stock your caddies with:
quickly, consider uploading the design
file and renaming them using your naming • Paint pens and markers to customize
convention before you begin the learning draftboard, cardboard, or paper prints
experience. • Glues for wood and acrylic projects
Note: Catalog designs cannot be opened • Sandpaper in fine grits to finish edges or
in multiple instances with the same login. rough up surfaces for gluing or painting
One group must customize and print the
catalog design before another group can • Resealable storage bags or bins for
open the same design, reset it, and make collecting printed pieces for a design
it their own. Plan to build in time for this • Crafting materials to customize prints,
process. (i.e., googly eyes, pom poms, chenille
sticks, paints, feathers, buttons, self-
Preparing to print stick foam shapes, felt, fabrics, etc.)
While students are in the design phase,
• Black markers to use for creating Trace
make a checklist of the materials you will
designs
need for printing and ensure you have
the materials on hand well in advance.
Conversely, you can challenge students to
create with the materials available and use
scrap pieces for their design.
Print process
Intentionally build in time to have students
reflect on the process of designing
and printing with the Glowforge. Need
inspiration? Our lessons have reflection
questions included! Also, remember to
encourage students to watch Glowforge
generate their prints in real-time. The
wonder and magic of the printing process
is something not to be missed!

PRO TIP PRO TIP

Additional Materials Mixing Mediums
Consider using double-sided tape, Try mixing materials when printing a
magnets, keychains, 3M Command strips, design for interesting effects. Various
and/or VELCRO® to further customize the colored acrylics or woods mixed with
designs you create and print. acrylics create eye-catching designs.

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 37
Storage and maintenance
Materials storage
Keep your materials print-ready with the following storage tips.
• Store your materials flat. Upon arrival, immediately store your materials in a cool, shaded,
and dry place.
• Stack materials on a clean flat surface. Stacking warped material on top of other warped
material can make warping worse.
• To prevent discoloration or damage, keep materials out of direct sunlight.
• To ensure your materials stay flat, stack heavy objects on top of your materials. Humidity
or heat may cause your materials to warp temporarily. Try these suggestions to help
restore their shape:
• If your materials have to be stored in a humid area, wrap them with plastic wrap or
shrink-wrap to keep moisture out.
• Set heavy objects on top of your material. Distribute weight evenly on top of the
material. If possible, use a flat object like a textbook.

Maintenance
Always make sure your Glowforge is turned off before cleaning!
Keeping your Glowforge clean is important and easy. To get started, make sure you have a
few materials on hand:
• Zeiss Lens wipes PRO TIP
• A soft cloth or microfiber Cleaning Guidance
For a step-by-step walkthrough for cleaning your Glowforge
• A cotton swab check out this video on Glowforge TV Essentials—Cleaning Your
• Compressed air Glowforge (bit.ly/3sQC3q7).

• Isopropyl alcohol

Floor & Crumb Tray Cameras and Lens Precision Mirror

Clean when necessary Clean after 40 hours of printing Clean after 120 hours of printing

Any bits left in the tray can Dust may collect on the The precision mirror is
prop up your material and cameras, windows, and located inside the printer
cause printing issues. lenses and impact printing. head. Dust may collect here
Lift out the tray and Use a Zeiss lens wipe to too!
dispose of cuttings in a remove dust, and take care Use a Zeiss lens wipe to
trash bin. Use a cotton to avoid touching these remove dust and replace
swab to get any bits stuck areas with your fingers! the mirror in the printer
in the honeycomb. head.

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 38
Safety tips
Before you begin Stop using your Glowforge
• Read the Glowforge User Manual immediately if
(bit.ly/3acjtU9) before using your Glowforge If any of the following occur, immediately
printer, and ensure any adults who use it turn off the power switch, unplug the unit
read it too! and contact support@glowforge.com. Do
• When using the Glowforge, children require not use your Glowforge again until the issue
the supervision and assistance of an adult is confirmed as resolved by support.
at all times. • The default settings for a piece of
• Lasers are subject to regulations and Proofgrade material do not cut through
standards, particularly when installed in the material even after cleaning the lens
an educational institution. Ensure that you and windows
comply with all applicable rules. • There is a fire in the unit that persists
• Do not touch the head or arm of the after the laser turns off
Glowforge unit while the power is on. If • The head stops moving but the laser is on
you do so by accident, turn the Glowforge
• The unit’s button turns any color other
off, then back on again to prevent the
than white, yellow, or teal
possibility of damage.
• You see any damage or discoloration to
• Parts of this product are made of glass
the case
that could break under impact. Should
that happen, be careful to avoid injury by • There are any cracks or chips in the glass
broken glass pieces. tube or lid
• Do not use the Glowforge if the glass • You see any moisture present inside the
or case are damaged or modified! Any Glowforge unit
damage or modifications could allow • You see any damage to the interior
dangerous contact with moving and/or components of the Glowforge unit
electrical parts and/or allow infrared and
• You notice unusual light coming from the
ultraviolet light, heat, smoke, and fumes to
unit that was not occurring previously
escape.
• You notice an unusual sound coming from
• Free Glowforge PRO LSO Training: a PDF
the unit that was not occurring previously
of the Glowforge Pro Laser Safety Officer
(LSO) Training Materials to help you comply
with LSO responsibilities and ensure that
you operate your Glowforge Pro safely.

Need more help?

bit.ly/3Gw9SGJ

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 39
Where to explore next
Resources Description

Glowforge TV Videos from Glowforge including Livestreams, Glowforge

(bit.ly/3yX9qUZ) Essentials, Basics with Bailey, and Step-by-Step Channels that
will get you up and running in no time and get your creative
ideas flowing. They even have a series from Glowforge owners
with their favorite tips & tricks!

From Start to Finish YouTube playlist How-to quick start video playlist on YouTube from Glowforge.
(bit.ly/3yU1PXv) These short videos focus on printing with different materials
while using your Glowforge.

Print using Inkscape Step-by-step guides on the free vector graphics editor,
(bit.ly/3LP2RGW) Inkscape, to get you creating even more with your Glowforge.
Inkscape is used by Glowforge Support to help you troubleshoot
Introduction to Inkscape your designs if you run into trouble.
(bit.ly/3yX9wvP)

Become a Catalog Designer Step-by-step guide for submitting your design. If you create
(bit.ly/3PFbl6E) an amazing design, you can submit your creation to our design
catalog for others to purchase and enjoy.

Submit Your Own Lesson How-to guide to submit a lesson to help other educators
(bit.ly/3bHyZS9) integrate the Glowforge into their courses. Or share a great
classroom management tip with the education community.

Glowforge Ambassadors Program Apply to become a Glowforge Education Ambassador and get
(bit.ly/3yWVf5T) exclusive access to the Edu Team, events, and more!

Educator Guide Teaching and learning with your Glowforge education.glowforge.com ©2022 Glowforge, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 40