How to Prepare Your Artwork for Laser Cutting and Engraving
| Process | Colour (RGB) | Stroke Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting | Red (255, 0, 0) | 0.1pt |
| Scoring | Blue (0, 0, 255) | 0.1pt |
| Engraving | Black (0, 0, 0) | 0.0pt |
Tip: Set your document colour mode to RGB before applying these settings.
Example:
Outer red circle = cut
Inner blue circle = score
Logo (black fill) = engrave
What does laser kerf mean?
Laser kerf refers to the amount of material the laser removes during cutting. Depending on the material type, thickness, and cutting conditions, this cut width typically ranges from 0.08mm to 1mm.
On most materials, kerf is minimal—around 0.1–0.2mm—but can increase for thicker materials like foam (up to 1mm). If your design includes details closer than 0.5mm, they may burn away entirely. Likewise, elements narrower than 1mm can cause the material to warp during cutting.
Accounting for Laser Kerf in Your Design
For applications that require a precise fit, like slot-together assemblies, it's essential to account for laser kerf during the design process. To achieve accurate results, adjust your component dimensions by adding or subtracting the kerf width accordingly.
The table below provides average kerf values for commonly cut materials and thicknesses. These figures are intended as a starting point, not exact values, as kerf can vary slightly based on machine settings and material variations.
| Material | Thickness | Average Kerf |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (Cast/Clear) | 3mm | 0.15 mm |
| Acrylic (Cast/Clear) | 6mm | 0.18 mm |
| Acrylic (Cast/Clear) | 10mm | 0.25 mm |
| Plywood (Poplar/Birch) | 3mm | 0.20 mm |
| Plywood (Poplar/Birch) | 6mm | 0.25 mm |
| MDF | 3mm | 0.18 mm |
| MDF | 6mm | 0.22 mm |
| Cardboard | 1.5–2mm | 0.15 mm |
| Paper/Cardstock | <1mm | 0.08 mm |
| Foam (EVA/Foam Board) | 5–10mm | 0.5~1.0 mm |
| Rubber (Laser-safe) | 2–3mm | 0.25 mm |
| Stainless Steel (Fiber) | 0.5–1mm | ~0.08 mm |
| Sterling Silver (Fiber) | 0.2–3mm | 0.02~0.08 mm |
| Gold (Fiber) | 0.2–3mm | 0.02~0.08 mm |
Tip: Always prototype a portion of your design with kerf compensation applied, then refine as needed before full production.
