Good files mean accurate quotes and smooth production. This guide covers everything you need to know to get your designs ready for laser cutting and 3D printing.
Clean, production-ready files reduce back-and-forth and help us give you an accurate quote faster. The more complete your files, the less time we spend requesting corrections — and the sooner we can get started on your project.
Different projects call for different formats. Here's what we accept and when to use each.
Scalable vector graphics. Ideal for 2D cut/engrave designs. Resizes without quality loss — perfect for precision work.
Print-ready format. Great for proofs and designs combining vector + raster elements. Ensure paths are not flattened.
Adobe Illustrator native format. Preserves layer structure and vector paths — preferred for complex designs.
Encapsulated PostScript. Wide compatibility, keeps vector data intact. Good fallback when AI isn't available.
Drawing Exchange Format. AutoCAD-compatible. Use for mechanical parts, interlocking pieces, or precise joinery.
Stereolithography mesh format. The standard for 3D printing. Must be watertight (manifold) with no holes.
Raster image formats. Use for photo engraving or detailed raster artwork. Resolution of 300 DPI or higher recommended.
Understanding the difference helps you send the right file type for your project — and avoids production issues.
Made of mathematical paths (lines, curves, and shapes). Can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Required for cutting operations.
Made of pixels (small squares of color). Becomes blurry when enlarged. Used for photo engravings and detailed artwork.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your files are production-ready and we can execute your design exactly as intended.
Cut lines should be at least 0.25 pt (0.09 mm). Lines thinner than this may not cut completely through or may get damaged during cutting.
Kerf is the material lost during cutting (~0.15–0.3 mm depending on material and power settings). For interlocking pieces, account for kerf compensation. We can adjust offsets on our end — just note it in your quote request.
Group same-material parts together and avoid overlapping cut lines. If you have many identical parts, indicate the quantity — we can nest multiple copies to save material and reduce cost.
Use distinct stroke colors or layers to separate cut lines from engrave lines. Common convention: red = cut, black = engrave. If using a single color, indicate which elements are cuts vs. engravings in your notes.
Map each color/layer to a specific operation (cut, engrave, score). Include a legend or notes specifying what each color represents. We can match standard colors to specific operations if documented.
3D prints have their own set of requirements. Here's what to check before sending your files.
Your STL must be fully closed with no holes, gaps, or inverted normals. Non-manifold meshes cause printing failures. Use MeshMixer, Meshmixer, or Netfabb to inspect and repair your mesh before submitting.
Walls must be thick enough to print reliably: PLA: 0.8 mm minimum, PETG: 1.0 mm minimum, ABS: 1.0 mm minimum. Thinner walls risk collapsing during printing.
For parts that need to fit together (gears, snap-fits, hinges), plan for 0.2–0.4 mm clearance per interface. Tighter tolerances may require more complex setup or finishing.
The way a part sits on the print bed affects strength, surface finish, and support needs. Indicate if you have a preferred orientation — we can orient for best quality or least support.
Let us know if you need solid (100%), sparse/grid, or lightweight infill. Grid is fine for decorative parts; solid is best for functional or load-bearing parts. We default to grid unless specified.
Not sure which material fits your project? Here's a quick overview of what we work with and the preferred file formats for each.
| Material | Max Thickness | Preferred Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (Baltic Birch, Walnut) | 12 mm | SVG, AI, PDF | Grain direction affects cut quality. Avoid extremely detailed cuts in thick pieces. |
| Acrylic (Cast / Extruded) | 10 mm | SVG, AI, EPS | Cast acrylic burns less — cleaner edges. Extruded is more budget-friendly. |
| Leather | 4 mm | SVG, AI, DXF | Natural variation in thickness. Burnishing and edge finish possible. |
| Metal (Mild Steel, Stainless) | 3 mm | DXF, AI | Requires higher power — may need more time. Anodized or powder-coated sheets work well. |
| Paper / Cardstock | 2 mm | SVG, PDF | Great for prototyping and packaging. Score rather than cut for fold lines. |
| Material | Min Wall Thickness | Resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 0.8 mm | 0.2 mm layer height | Good for models, prototypes, decorative parts. Not food-safe without post-processing. |
| PETG | 1.0 mm | 0.2 mm layer height | More durable, slightly more flexible. Better impact resistance than PLA. |
| ABS | 1.0 mm | 0.2 mm layer height | Higher heat resistance. Requires enclosure for consistent results. |
| Resin | 0.5 mm | 0.05 mm layer height | Very high detail. Smooth surface finish. Brittle — not for functional parts under stress. |