# Building an A-frame desk sign

> an A-frame desk sign with engravable faces

A desk sign is a quick, satisfying laser project: two triangular ends and two leaning faces that lock together into a self-standing tent. This generator cuts angled slots into the end triangles so the faces slide straight through and press-fit at the apex, and it drops a scored guide box on the front face so you know exactly where your text will land. The Assembled 3D tab shows the tent standing so you can judge the lean before you cut.

## What you need

- **Laser cutting:** 3 to 6 mm plywood, MDF, or acrylic. Measure the actual sheet thickness with calipers, it is rarely exactly what the label says.
- **3D printing:** any rigid filament. 4 to 6 mm panels give stronger slots than laser-thin ones.
- **Finishing:** a little sanding on the slot edges, plus optional glue at the apex if you want it permanent

## Step 1 - Sign size



**Width** is how wide the faces are across the front. **Face height** is the slanted length of each leaning face. **Foot spread** sets how far apart the feet sit on the desk, which controls the lean angle: a wider spread makes a lower, more stable tent. **Thickness** must match your sheet, because every slot is derived from it.

## Step 2 - Add your text



No text is baked into the file. The front face carries a scored guide box showing the safe engraving area. Open the exported SVG in the editor to add an engraved name or message inside that box, then remove the guide layer before cutting if you do not want it to show.

## Step 3 - Check the assembly



Switch to the **Assembled 3D** tab and orbit the sign to confirm the tent leans the way you want. The **Export Preview** tab shows the flat sheet with each panel in its own colour and the slots ready to cut.

## Laser cutting

### Before you cut



1. Measure your sheet with calipers and set **Thickness** to what you measured, not what the label says.
2. Cut the slots and any engraving before the outlines where your software lets you choose, so panels do not shift once they are free.
3. Run a fit test first: cut one end triangle and one face, slide them together, and only commit the rest once the face seats with light hand pressure.

### Assemble



1. Slide each face through the matching slot in both end triangles so the two faces meet at the apex.
2. Stand the tent on a flat surface and check it sits without rocking; sand a foot lightly if it does.
3. Add a drop of glue at the apex or in the slots only if you want the sign to be permanent.

## 3D Printing

### Slice and print



1. The 3D download is a zip with one part per panel, numbered to match the flat sheet order.
2. Every part is already extruded to the **Thickness** value. Do not scale the parts in the slicer: it changes the slot sizes too.
3. Lay each panel flat on the bed. The slots are already cut, so no supports are needed.
4. Print at 0.2 mm layers with 3 or more perimeters so the slots come out strong.

## Make it yours

- Engrave a name and title inside the guide box for a reception or desk name plate.
- Cut the faces from coloured acrylic and the ends from wood for a two-tone look.
- Widen the foot spread for a low, stable table tent, or narrow it for a tall, slim sign.

---

Open the Desk Sign Generator: https://www.mylasertools.com//desk-sign-generator
Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com//learn/guides/desk-sign-generator