A practical guide on png to svg for engraving — when, why, and how.
Engraving machines — laser engravers, rotary engravers, and CNC engravers — use vector paths to define where to engrave. Converting PNG designs to SVG is the first step in preparing artwork for engraving.
Engraving Modes
Vector engraving: The machine follows SVG paths to engrave lines. Best for text, outlines, and line art. Raster engraving: The machine scans back and forth like a printer, using a grayscale image. Best for photographs and detailed shading.
When to Convert to SVG
Convert to SVG when your design is line art, text, logos, or flat graphics that should be engraved as clean lines. Use Shape to Vector for quick conversion. For photographic engraving, keep the original raster format.
Materials
Common engravable materials: wood, acrylic, leather, glass, metal (with marking compounds), slate, and coated ceramics. SVG paths give you precise control over line weight and depth settings for each material.