Yes, engrave and then cut.
Simplest place to get veneer is from Glowforge. There is PG veneer. For things like this, I’ve been lucky enough I can get scraps big enough to do things like this from work and our model shop (I work at an architecture firm). We get ours from a number of places online. Or last minute needs we can pick some up at a place like woodcraft.
this is so great! thank you! Im trying to make one for my husband but cant seem to get the word cut out of the middle piece. is there a way to do that?
We’d need more info about the file you’re using and the wood and settings you’ve tried to really help. (There’s so many variables! 
)
thanks for getting back to me! I’m using the file attached in this post. The SVG. Im trying to use the GF PF cherry veneer
Oh, I think I misunderstood! I thought you were trying to cut a word out of the wood as decoration. Are you trying to get rid of the actual word “cut” that’s in the first file? If so, you can open the file in a drawing program (Inkscape, Affinity etc) and remove it, then resave the file. I’ll also attach a clean version here if that makes it easier. I left the black decorative part that can be engraved, but you can just set it to “ignore” in the GUI if you don’t want it. Hope this is what you need!
Welcome to the forum.
You need to create a file with the word you want to cut or engrave, then add that to the file provided in this post. What are you trying to put on the opener?
this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. thank you SO much! I don’t have any of those programs but Im thinking I will need to be getting one soon! thank you!
Both Inkscape and PaintNet are free (as are quite a few others) but that’ll get you both vector (cuts/flat engraves) and raster (3D engraves) editing capability!
Yes, I think I just used acrylic spray finish on them.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Where do you get adhesive back veneer?
proofgrade veneer is adhesive backed.
but almost any wood supplier that sells veneer will sell both paper backed and adhesive backed.
I’m also about to start doing some bottle openers and did a search and found this video
Hope this helps someone, this is not my video I found it on YouTube. Thought it was a good comparison.
Happy Lasering!!!
Bernie
I’m curious as to how the Proofgrade adhesive backed veneer holds up under use? Is it reliable in that it resists coming off? Also, if some of you are cutting/using wood that doesn’t have the PSA backing, do you prefer contact cement or epoxy to affix the wood to stainless steel?
I stuck some on the back of my iPad 3 years ago…it’s not going anywhere, ever. That stuff STICKS, man! 
we built architectural models 10-15 years ago, big ones, like 36" x 60" and with 30 layers of 3M adhesive veneer to create the site elevation and buildings attached in layers of 1/2" acrylic on top, and then hung them on a wall sideways and even with all that weight, they’re still hanging around and not peeling. now, a few of the trees we glued on with elmers have fallen off…
Cool! Thank you so much!! 
Do you mind sharing what type of wood it is that you used?
The designer states it is cedar plank grilling wood in a post on Jan’19. Others discussed using veneer. Both work.
Thanks! That’s pretty wood!