Diy

DIY Instructions

Firstly, we know it’s boring, but it is important. So make sure you’re all over our Terms and Conditions. That way, we both know before we start what to expect.

How to DIY

File types

The preferred type of file we use is a vector file. Vector files are suited to laser cutting and have the most accuracy when your idea is brought to life from a concept to a real life laser cut product.

The common file extensions are *.AI, *.SVG, *.DXF and *.PDF. These are the preferred file types we use and require the least amount time to get them ready for the laser cutter. The more work you do, the less work we have to do, which means you’re not paying more than you need to for our time and expertise, and you get your finished product sooner!

Image files, such as *.JPG, *.BMP, *.TIFF or *.PNG will require a significant amount of work from us to prepare them for laser cutting (often hours or days). So we advise against using these. Images can still be used for engraving (see below), but they need to be part of an overall vector file design.

There are a range of paid for and free to use software programs for desktop or mobile devices. Each program will have its pros and cons. Whichever program you decide to use, the tips below will help you get your design ready sooner.

How to prepare your vector file

The more you do to prepare your vector file, the less we have to do to get the file ready for processing. Which is money you don’t need to spend! Follow these handy tips:

Layers

Separate your design into layers. The layers we need are:

‘Engraving’ layer

More complex designs can be engraved, such as a photo. But the process is much slower and is not recommended for large designs.

Some materials engrave better than others. If your material choice is not going to support engraving very well, we will advise you.

If the engraving is likely to take a significant amount of time, this will come at an extra cost, so we will contact you to confirm if you wish to proceed.

‘Score’ layer

These are usually the lines (or paths) that make up the design. The laser burns (or vaporises) the material to a shallow depth

‘Cut’ layer

Everything on this layer will be cut through the full thickness of the material

Colour your design and name your layers, so it’s clear what you want each layer to be.

For everything you want to be cut, call the layer the ‘cut’ layer. Colour all the objects and paths on that layer RED .

For everything you want to be scored, call the layer the ‘score’ layer. Colour all the objects and paths on that layer GREEN .

For everything you want to be engraved, call the layer the ‘engrave’ layer, Colour all the objects and paths on that layer BLUE .

Paths and anchor points

Check your design to make sure all the paths that should be joined are actually joined. You will need to zoom in to your design to do this well.

Reduce the number of anchor points. Excess anchor points will slow the processing down.

Check that you don’t have any multiple paths (or lines) on top of each other. The laser will interpret each excess line as an instruction to cut or engrave. This will cause excess burning of your product and adversely affect the design. Damaged products will still be charged to you. If we need to correct the design, that will be charged also.

Some programs may have a tool to check for duplicate paths. If your software does not, you will need to do this manually and delete all of the duplicates.

Letters, words and numbers

The use of text is a fun way to customise your design. But every computer uses different fonts. To ensure that the font you choose is interpreted properly, it is necessary for your text to be converted to outlines (or vector paths). Doing this step means that you don’t lose the clarity of your design. Most importantly, it is then in a format that the laser can work with.

Be careful with fonts you place in the ‘cut’ layer, and letters and numbers with holes in them will lose the centre. To avoid this, add joining paths to the centre to stop it falling out, or use a ‘stencil’ type font.

Outlines

Before you send the file to us, look at your design in the outline mode. This will give you the clearest indication of what your design will look like when it is processed by the laser.

Size

Make sure you indicate how big or small you want your design to be cut. Some vector files are constrained to the exact size by default. Others are not. If your program does not allow you to size your design accurately, then add a comment in your order for the final size you want your product.

Art-boards can often be sized in the software. If you don’t have the option to choose your art-board size, then draw a rectangle and keep your design within the rectangle. Just remember to add a note to say what size the rectangle is, and we should be able to work it out from there.

The maximum size is 600mm x 300mm

Reducing your costs

Be careful downloading design files from the internet, including buying designs from popular sites, such as Etsy or eBay. These range in quality and many are very poorly designed requiring a significant amount of work to make them usable. Also make sure that you are allowed to use the files, so read their terms and conditions first.

Take a look at our fees and charges page to know how we'll calculate the cost of your design adventure. Say goodbye to any surprise expenses— if we foresee your design needing a bit of extra love and attention before it's ready to shine, we'll give you the heads-up and an estimate on the time it'll take us to work our magic.