Converting PNG designs to SVG for laser cutters — cut lines, engrave areas, and kerf compensation.

Laser cutters — like Glowforge, Epilog, and K40 machines — use vector paths to control the laser beam. SVG is the standard format for defining cut lines, engrave areas, and score lines.

Why Laser Cutters Need SVG

A laser cutter follows vector paths to cut or engrave material. PNG images have no path data — they're just pixels. Converting your PNG design to SVG gives the laser cutter the precise path information it needs.

Conversion Workflow

  1. Prepare your PNG — use high resolution, remove background, simplify colors
  2. Convert to SVG free using Shape to Vector
  3. Open in Inkscape to verify paths and set stroke colors (most laser software uses color to distinguish cut vs engrave)
  4. Import into your laser software (Glowforge app, LightBurn, LaserGRBL)

Important Considerations

  • Cut vs engrave: Use strokes for cut lines and fills for engrave areas. Set stroke widths to hairline (0.001mm) for cuts
  • Kerf compensation: Laser beams have width — account for material removal in tight-fitting designs
  • Material constraints: Very small details may not survive cutting. Test on scrap first
  • Path closure: All cut paths must be closed (start = end point) for complete cuts