How to Prepare a File for Laser Cutting
Downloadable Templates
Please find our downloadable templates for Illustrator and Rhino to help create your own files.
File Types
When preparing files for laser cutting or engraving, it’s important to understand the distinction between vector and raster images.
If your project involves cutting or precise engraving, a vector file is necessary. For engraving detailed images or photographs, a high-resolution raster file works best.
Please see more information on vector versus raster file types.
Vector for Cutting
Vector images are created using points, lines, and curves defined by mathematical equations. This allows them to be resized infinitely without any loss of quality. Common vector file formats include .3dm, .dwg, .dxf, .ai, or .eps. Vectors are ideal for logos, illustrations, technical drawings, and designs requiring precision and scalability. For laser cutting, vector files are essential because they define the paths the laser follows.
Raster for Engraving
In contrast, raster images are composed of tiny dots, or pixels, where each pixel represents a specific color. While raster images can display detailed and complex visuals, they lose quality when scaled up, often appearing blurry or pixelated. Popular raster formats include .jpeg, .png, and .tiff. Raster files are typically used for photographs or intricate images with rich color gradients and are suitable for laser engraving, though they cannot define cutting paths.
Create Your File
We will be processing your files in either Adobe Illustrator or Rhino 3D. If you are using another CAD program to create your file, you will need to export your vector file as .ai, .3dm, .dwg, .dxf, .svg, .eps, and your raster files as .jpg, .png, .tiff.
Set your file up using inches. Make your workspace or artboard 18" x 32" landscape, as this is our maximum cutting size currently. If you have something larger please reach out and we will let you know if it is feasible.
Line Weights
When preparing your files for laser cutting, the line weight (stroke thickness) and color in your design communicate to the machine how to process each element. Follow these guidelines to ensure your designs are interpreted correctly.
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Use a stroke thickness of .001 (Illustrator) or set your lines to ‘Hairline’ (Rhino / Auto CAD) in your design software. These settings result in precise cuts and scores, ensuring clean edges and accurate detail.
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Any stroke thicker than .001 or ‘Hairline’ will be interpreted as an etch. This is ideal for adding textures, patterns, or engraving details to your design.
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Make sure your file is set to RGB color mode if applicable.
Please use the colors below to properly communicate how your file should be cut/engraved.
RED - CUT
GREEN - FRAME/BORDER (will not cut)
BLACK - RASTER/FIELD ENGRAVING
BLUE - SCORING/LINE ENGRAVING
ORANGE - LIGHT RASTER
BLACK - NORMAL RASTER
MAGENTA - STRONG RASTER
CYAN - LIGHT SCORE
BLUE - NORMAL SCORE
YELLOW - STRONG SCORE
File Prep Check List
Flat Layout: Ensure all designs are laid out flat within the file. Multiple 18”x32” sheets or artboards can be included in one document, arranged side by side for clarity.
Remove Unnecessary Elements: Delete any unnecessary objects or layers and carefully check for duplicate lines to avoid cutting issues.
Artboards and Bounding Boxes: Use multiple artboards or sheets to organize your designs. Each artboard or sheet should have a designated 18”x32” bounding box to differentiate between sheets to be cut.
Material Outer Box: Create an outer box in your file that matches the size of your material. Layout all pieces to be cut within this box, ensuring proper organization.
Border Requirement: Leave a minimum of 1/4” border around all artwork.
Line Weight: In Illustrator, lines (vectors to be cut or scored) should be set to .001 pt. In Rhino and AutoCAD, lines (vectors to be cut or scored) should be set to hairline.
Color Mode: In Illustrator, make sure your file is set to RGB color mode.
Color Code: Please use the specified colors to properly communicate how your file should be cut/engraved.
Upload your File: The last step is to upload your file here and fill out all information required. We will get back to you with a quote as quickly as possible. If you do not have the ability to create your own file we also offer file preparation services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Design and File Preparation
Q: What file types do you accept?
A: For vector cutting and scoring, we accept .AI, .3DM, .DWG, .DXF, .SVG, .EPS, and vector-based .PDF files. For raster engraving, we accept high-resolution .JPG, .PNG, and .TIFF files. If you need help converting or preparing your file, we offer file preparation assistance for $80/hour.
Q: How should I prepare my file for laser cutting?
A: Follow the file preparation instructions above or download one of our Illustrator or Rhino templates. Make sure your file is set up at the correct scale, uses the appropriate line colors and weights, and does not contain duplicate lines or unnecessary elements. Because laser cutting is priced by machine time, simplifying your file can often help reduce the cost of your project.
Q: Can you help me prepare or adjust my design?
A: Yes. We can assist with file conversion, layout, line cleanup, and other adjustments needed to make your design ready for laser cutting or engraving. File preparation services are billed at $80/hour.
Q: Do I need a vector file for laser cutting?
A: Yes. Any lines that need to be cut or scored must be supplied as vector paths. Raster images, including photographs and pixel-based graphics, can be engraved but cannot be used to define precise cutting paths.
Q: What size should I make my artboard or workspace?
A: Set your artboard or workspace to 18" × 32" in landscape orientation, which is the maximum size of our current laser-cutting bed. Your design should be drawn at full scale using inches.
Q: Can you cut something larger than 18" × 32"?
A: Potentially. Larger designs may be divided into multiple sections and assembled after cutting. Send us your design and finished dimensions, and we can let you know whether the project is feasible.
Q: How should I color-code my file?
A: Use red vector lines for cutting, blue vector lines for scoring or line engraving, and black filled areas for standard raster engraving. Additional colors can be used to indicate lighter or stronger engraving settings. Make sure Illustrator files are set to RGB color mode.
Q: What line weight should I use?
A: In Adobe Illustrator, cutting and scoring lines should have a stroke weight of .001 pt. In Rhino or AutoCAD, use a hairline stroke. Thicker lines may be interpreted as engraved areas rather than cutting paths.
Q: Should I outline my text before submitting the file?
A: Yes. Convert all text to outlines or curves before uploading your file. This prevents missing-font issues and ensures that the lettering appears exactly as intended.
Q: Should I include the size of my material in the file?
A: Yes. Create an outer box that represents the exact size of your material and arrange all of your pieces inside it. Leave a minimum ¼" border between your artwork and the edge of the material.
Q: Can I include multiple sheets in one file?
A: Yes. Multiple 18" × 32" artboards or sheets can be included in one document. Arrange them side by side and provide a clearly defined bounding box for each sheet so we can easily understand the layout.
Q: Why do I need to remove duplicate or overlapping lines?
A: The laser follows every vector path in the file. Duplicate lines may cause the machine to cut the same area more than once, increasing cutting time and potentially damaging or burning the material.
Q: How should I arrange the pieces in my file?
A: Arrange or “nest” your pieces efficiently within the material boundary while leaving enough space between them for clean cutting. Efficient layouts can reduce material waste and unnecessary laser time.
Q: Can you engrave photographs or detailed images?
A: Yes. Photographs and detailed pixel-based artwork can be raster engraved. For the best results, submit the highest-resolution image available with strong contrast and minimal compression.
Q: Will you check my file before cutting it?
A: We review submitted files to confirm that they can be processed, but customers are responsible for checking dimensions, spelling, quantities, and overall design accuracy. If your file requires significant corrections or additional setup, file preparation charges may apply.
Q: What should I remove before submitting my file?
A: Delete unused layers, hidden objects, construction lines, dimensions, notes, clipping masks, and any other elements that should not be cut or engraved. Only include the artwork and boundaries needed to complete the project.