SVG Files for Laser Engraving — Glowforge & xTool Designs
Create perfectly engraved plaques, signs, ornaments, and gifts with SVG files optimized for laser engravers. Works with Glowforge, xTool, and Sculpfun.
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Supports PNG, JPG, BMP, WEBP up to 5MB
Designing SVGs for Laser Engraving
Laser engravers read SVG paths as either cut lines or engrave fills. For raster engraving, use filled black shapes. For vector cut lines, use strokes with no fill.
- Black fill = raster engraved area
- Colored stroke = cut line
- Remove gradients — lasers are binary
- Min feature size: 0.5mm for most 20W diode lasers
Best Materials for Laser-Engraved SVGs
Basswood (3mm) is most popular for signs and ornaments. Baltic birch (6mm) for thicker pieces. Acrylic for backlit signs. Leather for accessories. Slate for coasters.
- Basswood 3mm: signs, ornaments, keychains
- Baltic birch 6mm: thicker plaques
- Acrylic 3mm: backlit or frosted signs
- Leather: keychains, bookmarks
- Slate: coasters, address plaques
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to convert SVG to another format for Glowforge?
No — Glowforge directly accepts SVG files. Upload and set each color layer to engrave or cut.
How do I optimize an SVG for laser engraving?
Use only black and white. Convert all text to paths. Remove gradients. Simplify nodes.
What power settings for engraving 3mm basswood?
500mm/min speed, 80% power for engraving; 200mm/min, 100% power for cutting. Test on scrap first.
Can I engrave photos as SVG on wood?
Photos work best as bitmaps for laser engraving. Convert to grayscale bitmap and import as a raster engrave.
Related guides
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