How to Make SVG Files for Laser Cutting
Prepare SVG files correctly for laser cutting — color-coded layers, hairline strokes for cut lines, kerf allowance, and file settings for Glowforge, xTool, and Lightburn.
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SVG Color Coding for Laser Cutting
Laser software (Lightburn, Glowforge, xTool Creative Space) uses SVG stroke colors to assign different laser operations to different elements.
- Red (#FF0000): typically cut operation — laser cuts all the way through
- Blue (#0000FF): score/engrave line — laser scores the surface
- Black fill: raster engrave — laser fills the region
- Always check your laser software's color assignment — they vary by platform
- Glowforge: auto-detects cut vs engrave by stroke width (hairline = cut)
SVG Stroke Settings for Cut Lines
Cut lines in SVG must be strokes (not fills) with the thinnest possible width — called hairline strokes.
- Set stroke width to 0.001px or 0.01mm (effectively zero / hairline)
- Remove any fill from cut-line paths
- In Inkscape: Object > Fill and Stroke — set stroke to hairline, fill to none
- In Illustrator: set stroke to 0.001pt
- Thick strokes cause laser to burn wider paths than intended
Frequently Asked Questions
What SVG settings does Glowforge use?
Glowforge detects cuts by thin strokes and engraves by filled shapes. Use stroke colors to assign operations. Glowforge's app auto-separates layers by color — use a different color for each operation.
What is kerf and how do I account for it in SVG?
Kerf is the width of material burned away by the laser beam. For tight-fitting joints (box joints, press-fits), reduce the SVG path size by half the kerf width (typically 0.1–0.15mm for 3mm wood).
Can I use Cricut SVG files for laser cutting?
Usually yes — standard SVG paths work in laser software. However, Cricut SVGs often have fills instead of stroke-only cut lines. Open in Inkscape, convert fills to strokes, and set hairline width before importing to laser software.
What's the best free SVG editor for laser cutting?
Inkscape is the best free SVG editor for laser cutting prep — full control over stroke/fill, node editing, boolean operations, and DXF export. It's what most laser cutters use for design work.
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