If you have a laser machine and are looking for new ideas to expand your product catalogue, personalised cake toppers could become one of your best allies. They are cost-effective to produce, easy to customise, and very popular for celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, communions, and special events.

In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know to create and sell laser-cut cake toppers, from which materials to use to how to design them and what to consider to stand out.

What is a cake topper?

A cake topper is a decoration placed on the top of a cake. Although its origin lies in the classic bride and groom figures on wedding cakes, today this concept has evolved into a fully customisable decorative piece.

They can feature names, ages, phrases, icons, or specific themes. Customers want every detail of their event to be unique, and a laser-cut personalised cake topper is exactly what they are looking for.

Why invest in cake toppers for your business?

Working with cake toppers has many advantages:

• They are lightweight products, easy to ship, and with low production costs.

• Easily personalised: just a name, an age, or a special word.

• They allow you to play with multiple styles: elegant, childlike, minimalist, themed…

• They can be combined with other laser-made products such as decorative names, keyrings, garlands, or cupcake toppers.

• Additionally, thanks to their size and simplicity, they are ideal for those starting out in the world of laser cutting and engraving.

Recommended materials for cake toppers

When creating custom cake toppers with your laser machine, the choice of material is key. These are the most commonly used:

1. Acrylic

   • Advantages: Clean cut, available in many finishes (gloss, matte, mirror, glitter, pastel colours...)
   • Recommended thickness: 3 mm
   • Ideal for: Modern and colourful styles, italicised names, striking finishes

2. Natural wood or MDF

   • Advantages: Warm and handcrafted finish. It can be painted or left natural.
   • Recommended thickness: 3 mm
   • Ideal for: Rustic styles, weddings, communions, or boho events

3. Thin plywood

   • Advantages: More economical than solid wood. Lightweight and easy to cut.
   • Ideal for: Flat or medium volume designs

Whenever you work with cake toppers, ensure that the materials and finishes are food-safe, or at least that the decorative parts do not come into direct contact with the cake.

Follow Brildor's Cake Toppers board on Pinterest.

How to design your cake toppers for laser cutting?

Creating a good design is the foundation of a professional result. Here are the key steps:

1. Use vector design software
   Programs such as Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or Inkscape allow you to prepare files compatible with laser machines. Remember:

   • Convert the text to curves or outlines.
   • Join the characters together (especially in cursive fonts).
   • Avoid lines that are too thin, as they may break when cutting.

2. Add details
   Borders, stars, flowers, hearts… small decorative elements that make the design more special. You can also include the silhouette of the age number or a symbol related to the event.

3. Consider the size
   A topper for a 20 cm diameter cake can be between 10 and 15 cm wide. Always add a "stick" at the bottom to easily insert it into the cake.

Laser cutting process

Once you have the design ready, these are the steps to produce your toppers:

1. Prepare the file and set it up according to the chosen material.
2. Place the material in your laser machine, ensuring it is properly focused and aligned.
3. Start the cutting job. Adjust speed, power, and frequency according to the material.
4. Check the result and clean the topper if there are any smoke residues or cut marks.

👉 TIP! If you work with wood, you can apply a layer of varnish. For acrylic, a damp cloth is sufficient. And if you're painting the toppers, make sure to use food-safe paints in case they come into contact with the cake.

Presentation and packaging

An attractive packaging elevates the perceived value of your product. You can create customised cardboard covers, decorative envelopes with windows, or cards with the customer's name. Use your laser to create the packaging and offer a complete brand experience.

What laser machine do I need to make cake toppers?

The good news is that you no longer need an industrial machine. If you're just starting out, you can opt for compact models like the xTool F1 Ultra diode and fibre laser for making wooden cake toppers. And if you already have a workshop up and running, we recommend investing in a machine with greater power and speed to increase your production capacity, such as the xTool P2 CO2 laser, which will allow you to cut all types of acrylic and wood with ease.

If you don't have one, at Brildor we offer laser machines for cutting and engraving tailored to all types of needs:

👉 Discover our laser machines here

Once you start, you'll see that you can easily expand your catalogue. Here are some product ideas you can create with your laser machine to complete your product catalogue:

• Decorative names for children's rooms
• Customised garlands for birthdays or christenings
• Engraved keyrings as a memento of the event
• Frames, invitations, medals, and much more

Follow the Brildor Wood Ideas board on Pinterest.

Laser-cut personalised cake toppers are an excellent opportunity. With the right materials, a good design, and a reliable laser machine, you can start producing from home and offer your customers unique details for unforgettable moments.

Do you have any questions about starting your first topper? Share it with us by leaving a comment. Our team will be delighted to provide you with answers and assistance. You can also contact our Customer Service Department directly for additional help.

Remember that on our social media, we post a wide range of ideas, offers, and the latest news related to various personalisation techniques daily. To stay updated on everything, follow us on Instagram and TikTok. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to continue learning with us!