Magnolias are one of my favorite flowers. They are beautiful and so soft and gentle looking. When I started thinking about making floral wall decor, magnolias were the first on my list! You can make this Magnolia Wall Decor easily!
This project is simple and pretty. It includes a faux miter corner frame. (Sometimes to me they feel like cheating because they are so easy to make!)
There are different ways you can finish the design. Examples include using dye, stain or paint. It could also be made with different types of plywood with different shades and left natural without coloring. I chose to use acrylic paint. This design could be made with other materials as well. There are some beautiful acrylic sheets with various colors, textures and opacity that might really be amazing with this design.
I’m trying out something new with this design. It includes some initial score markings to use for painting. To use them, first make the markings (ignoring the rest of the design), then paint, mask and then return the material to the Glowforge. Then continue with the rest of the design, ignoring the markings. Let me know if this method works well for you! There is a version of the design without the markings for your convenience.
REMINDER: TEST, MASK (if needed) & DON’T FORGET TO VENT & SET FOCUS HEIGHT
Let’s Make This Magnolia Wall Decor!
- Download the free magnolia design.
- Place your material into the Glowforge.
- Upload the design to the Glowforge dashboard. Move the design to the location where you want to cut the board.
- Set your material to the appropriate setting.
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Materials and Supplies Needed:
- 1/4″ plywood, approximately 12″ x 19″ sheet (can use other thicknesses if desired)
- masking
- Acrylic paint, color of your choice
- Isopropyl alcohol (optional)
- Acrylic paint, color of your choice
- Glue of your choice, that is appropriate for wood
- Picture Hanging Hardware of your choice, to hang the item
Tools:
- Glowforge, laptop or other device compatible with Glowforge
- weeding tool (optional)
- Baby wipes, damp paper towel, or a damp cloth
- clamps
- a couple of paint brushes of different sizes (optional)
- calipers to check the exact height of your material (or use “auto” setting)
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Prepare the wood for painting:

- In the left bar, set all of the groups to “Ignore” except the draft score markings.
- Press the “Print” button at the top right of the dashboard and press the flashing Glowforge button.
- After the draft markings are completed (which only takes a few seconds), remove the plywood from the machine.

Paint and mask the wood:
- Paint the design as desired and allow the paint to dry fully.
- Apply masking to the plywood over the entire sheet.


Cut the design:
- Place your material back into the Glowforge.
- Line up your designs with the painted areas.
- Change your settings:
- For the left section of the design (the flower center), set the following: Set the outline to cut and the details to score.
- Set the middle section of the design (the flower and top layer of frame), as follows: Set the flower outline to cut and the details to score, the frame inside and outside perimeters to cut and the faux miter corner diagonal lines to score. Set the draft score markings to ignore.
- For the right section of the design (which will be the bottom layer of the wood), set the following: Set the outside perimeter to cut. Set the detailed lines to score. Set the draft score markings to ignore.
- Double check to the alignment of your design to be sure that none of the sections are grayed out. Make sure they are aligned with your painted areas and that they do not overlap each other at all.
- Now, press the “Print” button at the top right of the dashboard.
- The computer will take a minute and then when it’s ready, the
Glowforge button will begin to flash. - Press the flashing button!

Finish the design:
- When the print is complete, remove from Glowforge and remove masking.
- Touch up any painted areas that need touching up. Allow paint to dry.
- Layer the items. When you are satisfied with how everything looks, glue the layers together using the glue of your choice.
- Clamp together and allow to dry overnight.
- Finally, attach the picture hanger hardware of your choice to hang the item.

Let me know below in the comments how you like your magnolia wall decor! I can’t wait to see your creations!
Ally