SVG for Laser Cutting — Laser-Ready Vector Files

What makes an SVG file laser-ready?

A laser-ready SVG contains clean, closed vector paths with no raster elements. Stroke width is typically a hairline (0.001" or 0.025 mm), paths are unbroken, overlapping cuts are removed, and operations are color-coded so the laser software knows whether to cut, score, or engrave. The file should also use real-world units (inches or millimeters) so imported dimensions stay accurate.

Should I use SVG or DXF for laser cutting?

SVG is best for modern laser software such as LightBurn, Glowforge, and xTool Creative Space because it preserves colors, layers, and curves. DXF is the safer choice for older CAD/CNC workflows, AutoCAD, and some industrial lasers. Super Vectorizer Pro exports both from the same source image, so you can pick the format your machine expects.

Can a laser cutter use a PNG or JPG?

No. PNG and JPG are raster formats made of pixels. A laser cutter follows vector paths to cut or score material. You must trace the image into SVG or DXF first. Super Vectorizer Pro converts raster logos, sketches, and photos into the vector paths a laser needs.

How do I avoid the 96-DPI scaling trap in SVG for laser cutting?

Inkscape and some design tools default to 96 pixels per inch, while laser software may assume 90 or 72 DPI. This mismatch can shrink or enlarge your part. The safest fix is to set the SVG document units to inches or millimeters in your vector editor and export with explicit real-world dimensions. Super Vectorizer Pro writes SVGs with correct document units, so imports into LightBurn and Glowforge keep the intended size.

What are typical minimum feature sizes for laser cutting?

Minimum sizes depend on material and laser power. As a rule of thumb: keep cut lines at least 1 mm apart on wood and acrylic, 2 mm apart on leather, and avoid details smaller than 0.5 mm on paper and cardstock. Holes should be at least 1 mm larger than the material thickness to prevent weak tabs or melt-back.

What is kerf compensation, and when do I need it?

Kerf is the width of material the laser beam removes. On a CO2 laser it is typically 0.1-0.2 mm. For press-fit or interlocking parts, you must offset cut paths by half the kerf so the finished size matches your design. For decorative cuts and signs, kerf is usually small enough to ignore.

How do I separate cut, score, and engrave operations?

Assign a unique stroke color to each operation in your vector file. Most laser programs map colors to layer settings: red for cut, blue for score, black for engrave is a common convention. Super Vectorizer Pro can separate colors during tracing so each region keeps its own color layer.

Which materials work best with laser-cut SVG files?

Wood (plywood, MDF, hardwood), acrylic, leather, fabric, paper, cardboard, and some metals can all be laser cut. The key is a clean vector path: wood and acrylic need lower node counts for smooth edges, while paper and fabric benefit from slightly wider spacing to avoid heat buildup.

How do I convert a hand sketch into a laser-cut SVG?

Scan or photograph the sketch with strong contrast, open it in Super Vectorizer Pro, choose line or color tracing mode, adjust the threshold until the outline is clean, and export as SVG or DXF. Clean up any broken paths in a vector editor if needed, then import into your laser software.

Does Super Vectorizer Pro export multi-color SVG files for layered laser jobs?

Yes. The app supports up to 64 color layers. You can trace a multi-color design and keep each color as a separate vector layer, making it easy to assign different laser operations in LightBurn, Glowforge, or xTool Creative Space.

Is there a free trial, and can it export?

A free trial is available for Mac and Windows. It is preview-only: you can load an image, adjust tracing settings, and see the vector result on screen, but exporting the finished file requires purchasing a license. This lets you verify quality before buying.