Build a custom paint rack on your laser cutter
This generator makes the flat cut pattern for a tabbed paint bottle holder sized to your exact bottles: a front and middle panel with matching holes, plus a back, two sides, a top and a bottom that all slot together. Choose how many rows and columns you want, set your material thickness, and download one SVG with every part. It runs in your browser with no sign-up.
How it works
- Pick a paint size. Click a preset under Common Paint Sizes, or enter your own hole diameter and spacing. Use the IN / MM switch for metric.
- Set the layout. Choose columns, rows and depth, then enter the real thickness of your sheet.
- Check the 3D preview. Use the part buttons to view each panel or the whole rack. Drag to rotate and scroll to zoom.
- Download and cut. The SVG is saved at real-world size in millimeters. Open it in your laser or CNC software, cut, and slot the panels together.
Hole sizes for popular paints
| Paint | Hole | Spacing | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Barrel Acrylic (2 oz) | 1.35 in / 34.3 mm | 1.75 in | 3.2 in |
| FolkArt Acrylic (2 oz) | 1.35 in / 34.3 mm | 1.75 in | 3.2 in |
| DecoArt Americana (2 oz) | 1.36 in / 34.5 mm | 1.78 in | 3.3 in |
| Craft Smart Acrylic (2 oz) | 1.34 in / 34.0 mm | 1.72 in | 3.2 in |
| Pouring paint bottle (8 oz) | 2.35 in / 59.7 mm | 2.85 in | 4.6 in |
| Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch spray can | 2.65 in / 67.3 mm | 3.00 in | 6.0 in |
Bottles vary between batches. Measure yours with calipers and add a little clearance if the fit is tight.
Cutting tips
- Measure your material. "3 mm" or "1/4 inch" plywood is rarely exactly that. Enter what your calipers say so the tabs fit.
- Test one hole first. Cut a single hole in scrap and try a bottle before cutting the full panel.
- Mind the kerf. If tabs are loose, reduce the thickness value slightly. If they are too tight, increase it.
- Good materials: Baltic birch plywood, MDF and acrylic all work well.
Materials & tools for building your rack
- Baltic birch plywood sheets Strong, flat and laser-friendly. The go-to for paint racks.
- MDF sheets Cheap and consistent. Great for a first test rack.
- Cast acrylic sheets For a clear or colored rack that shows off your paints.
- Digital calipers Measure bottle diameter and sheet thickness accurately.
- Wood glue A few drops in the slots makes the rack permanent.
- Laser masking tape Prevents scorch marks around the holes.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the paint holder generator free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no cost. Set your sizes and download the SVG.
What hole size do I need for 2 oz craft paint bottles?
The presets use about 1.35 in (34 mm) holes with 1.75 in spacing for 2 oz bottles like Apple Barrel, FolkArt and DecoArt Americana. Bottles vary slightly, so measure yours with calipers and adjust if needed.
What software can open the SVG file?
Any program that imports SVG, including LightBurn, Inkscape, Glowforge, xTool Creative Space, LaserGRBL, Adobe Illustrator and most CNC CAM software. The file is saved at real-world size in millimeters.
What material thickness should I enter?
Measure your actual sheet and enter that number. Plywood sold as 3 mm or 1/4 inch is often thinner than its label, and the tabs and slots need to match the real thickness to fit.