Herein, we report an interdigitated capacitive sensor fabricated by mask-free laser lithography. The device is fabricated by laser printing of reverse features with toner followed by metal deposition and lift-off of toner in acetone. The fabricated device was utilized to measure ion concentration in water as well as a touch sensor. The ion sensor is able to measure the total ion concentration of water as well as distinguish the water from different sources. The touch sensor exhibited a significant difference between the capacitance values, with and without touch. This is a rapid, scalable and inexpensive approach for the fabrication of capacitive sensors and it involves neither harmful chemicals nor expensive and time-consuming fabrication steps. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.