A Beginner’s Guide to File Setup for Home Laser Projects
Whether you’re engraving a quote on wood or cutting a custom shape from acrylic, the success of your laser project starts with good file design. This guide walks you through the basics—from software choices to exporting your file correctly.
Step 1: Choose the Right Software
Most home laser users rely on one of these tools:
| Software | Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LightBurn | Paid (Trial) | Cutting & Engraving | Most popular laser software, very versatile |
| LaserGRBL | Free | Engraving (Diode) | Best for GRBL-based diode lasers, no cutting vectors |
| Inkscape | Free | File Design | Vector drawing, export to SVG or DXF |
| Adobe Illustrator | Paid | Professional Design | Vector-based, great for precision |
| CorelDRAW | Paid | Graphic Design | Often used with CO₂ lasers |
Step 2: Understand File Types
| File Type | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Engraving & Cutting (Vector) | Scalable vector graphics (ideal for outlines, shapes) |
| DXF | Cutting (Vector) | Common format for cutting paths |
| PNG/JPG | Engraving (Raster) | Good for photos, logos—no cutting lines |
Tip:
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Use vectors (SVG, DXF) for cuts.
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Use images (PNG, JPG) for engraving.
Step 3: Design with Purpose
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Engraving designs are usually filled shapes or images.
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Cutting designs are outlines. Make sure your cut lines are continuous and closed (no gaps).
- Text needs to be converted to paths or outlines.
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Use different colors or layers to separate engraving from cutting in your design.
Example:
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Red lines = cut
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Blue lines = score
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Black fill = engrave
(These color codes are standard in LightBurn, but can be customized.)
Step 4: Size & Scale Your Project
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Set your canvas/work area size to match your laser bed (e.g., 400mm x 400mm).
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Resize your design to fit the material you’re using. Do not resize if there are cuts that need to be exact, like when making a box.
Step 5: Export or Save Your File
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Export vectors as SVG or DXF.
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Export images as PNG with high resolution (300+ DPI).
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In LightBurn, you can import many formats directly and assign cut/engrave settings inside the software.
Step 6: Test Before Final Burn
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Run a preview in your laser software to verify cut/engrave paths.
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Use scrap material to do a test burn—this saves time and prevents ruining your good materials.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Using open lines for cutting (always close paths!)
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❌ Wrong file format (don’t try to cut from a JPG)
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❌ Too low resolution for engraved images (blurry results)
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❌ Not converting text to paths
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❌ Forgetting to resize the file to match your material
TL;DR
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✅ Use SVG/DXF for cuts, PNG for engraving.
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✅ Design in LightBurn, Inkscape, or Illustrator.
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✅ Use closed paths, proper scaling, and color layers.
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✅ Test everything before doing your final project.
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