DIY Laser-Cut Desk Perpetual Calendar

A desk perpetual calendar gives you a reusable way to display the date while adding a warm wooden detail to your workspace.

This project combines laser engraving and cutting on 3mm plywood. The calendar details are engraved into the wood first, then the individual panels, stand, and base pieces are cut and assembled into a freestanding desktop calendar.

You can customize the typeface, layout, decorative details, or wood finish to create a calendar for your desk, study, office, or as a practical personalized gift.

For more plywood processing tips, see the Plywood Laser Engraving and Cutting Guide.

1. Thunder Bolt laser cutting machine (or another Thunder Laser model)
2. One 3mm plywood sheet — flat, clean, and dry
3. LaserMaker software (free) — LightBurn or RDWorks also work
4. Desk Perpetual Calendar project file (.dxf), attached to this Instructable

Laser settings for 3mm plywood (engraving): speed 800mm/s, max power 35%, min power 10%, LOW air assist.

Laser settings for 3mm plywood (cutting): speed 10mm/s, max power 30%, min power 10%, HIGH air assist.

Place the 3mm plywood flat on the laser work bed and make sure the surface is clean, dry, and stable.

Check the sheet for warping before processing. Keeping the plywood flat helps the engraved calendar details stay consistent and gives the cut stand and base pieces clean, accurate edges. Secure the material with suitable pins or magnets if needed.

Import the Desk Perpetual Calendar design into LaserMaker and adjust the layout to fit the available plywood area.

Check that the calendar artwork is assigned to the engraving layer and the outlines for the stand, base, and other structural parts are assigned to the cutting layer. Set the engraving layer to 800mm/s speed, 35% max power, 10% min power, with LOW air assist. Set the cutting layer to 10mm/s speed, 30% max power, 10% min power, with HIGH air assist.

Set the laser focus on the top surface of the 3mm plywood before starting the job. Use the Thunder Bolt autofocus function for a quick setup, or set the focus manually when you want to check the focal position yourself.

Accurate focus helps keep the engraved calendar details clear and allows the cutting layer to pass cleanly through the plywood. Check that the material remains flat after focusing so the focal distance stays consistent across the complete design.

Run the Frame function to preview the working area and confirm that the complete Desk Perpetual Calendar design stays within the plywood sheet.

Check the clearance around the calendar panel, stand, base, and other components. Once the position is correct, keep the plywood in the same location so the engraving and cutting layers remain aligned during processing.

Cut the stand, base, and remaining structural pieces. Stay near the machine throughout processing and watch for excessive smoke, flame-ups, alarms, or material movement.

Remove the finished plywood pieces from the laser bed and gently clean away loose dust or soot. Assemble the calendar panel, stand, base, and other cut components according to the design, making sure the pieces fit securely and the movable date elements can be adjusted as intended.