Artwork Guide

3D Printing

Laser bedsize

Our Universal Laser cutter has a bed size of 800mm x 450mm.

If your job exceeds the maximum bed size, we can split it into multiple parts.

Templates

Please consider sending your artwork using one our templates below. They have been setup for you based on our guidelines on this page.

Autocad

Illustrator

Please include an 800mm x 450mm border around your work

Files accepted

In order to cut and engrave we require a vector file. Below is a list of file formats we accept.

DWG (Can be exported from AutoCad, Vectorworks, Illustrator)
AI or EPS (Adobe Illustrator)
DXF (Can be exported from Vectorworks)
PDF (Can be exported from most drawing programs)
JPG and PNG (It is possible to raster and engrave Images but they must be saved as grayscale)

Colour lines/ cutting order

The laser cutter has a cutting order. You will need to assign all your cut and engrave lines as follows:

Red (RGB: 255 0 0) - Engrave

Green (RGB: 0, 255, 0) - Raster

Blue (RGB: 0, 0, 255) - Inner cut

Magenta (RGB: 255, 0, 255) - Outer cut

Feel free to use one of our templates. There are predefined layers which have been colour coded just for you.

The image below shows some brick work engraving which was drawn using red lines. The window cut lines were drawn in blue. The outer cut lines were drawn in Magenta.

Engrave and laser cutting example

Red for engraving, blue & magenta for cut lines

Line weights

Line weights (cut and engrave) must be 0.00mm for AutoCad and hairline/ 0.076mm thick for Illustrator.

AutoCad line weight should be 0.00mm

Illustrator line weight should be hairline or 0.076mm

Labelling elements

It may be worth including engraved labels next to specific elements which will be helpful when assembling your work. This might prove essential if you are trying to fit all elements onto one sheet size.

Nesting

Please consider your artwork layout. Nesting elements of your drawing allows better use of the material and will save you money.

Nesting components will save on material

Minimum width cuts

When drawing and arranging your artwork, please consider minimum width cuts. Rule of thumb, no cut width should be less than the thickness of material. For materials less than 0.6mm it is suggested that the minimum cut width should remain at 0.6mm.

The railings below have been laser cut from 0.2mm white card. The railings on the left have been drawn with 0.6mm spacing whereas the railings on the right haven't.

Correct minimum widths

Incorrect minimum widths

Sheet size

Most of the materials we supply are 800mm x 450mm to fit our laser bed, however some sheet sizes may be smaller. Please check the materials section below.

Grain orientation

Grain orientation on materials such as veneer and plywood may affect your final outcome. The grain tends to run along the longest dimension of our products so please bare this in mind when setting up your drawing. Please double check with us when sending your artwork.

Inner/outer cut lines

We cut all inner lines first to avoid any pieces moving during the job. This gives a more accurate cut. Inner cutlines should be Blue (RGB: 0, 0, 255). Outer cutlines should be Magenta (RGB: 255, 0, 255).

Masking

We offer a masking service where we use low tack application tape to protect your work and limit surface burn. This is extremely useful on MDF, veneer, paper and card. If using our masking service, please think about the complexity and your time to remove the masking from smaller and more delicate elements.