Vector files for Glowforge The Glowforge app reads strokes, fills and colors.
For vector work, the Glowforge app takes SVG and PDF files. It turns vector strokes into cut or score steps and filled shapes into engrave steps, and it splits the job into steps by color. Send the artwork at real size, with closed shapes for anything that should be cut out, a separate color for each step, and text converted to outlines.
Formats the Glowforge app takes
SVG and PDF carry vector paths and are the formats to use for cutting and scoring. JPG and PNG upload as images, which the Glowforge engraves but can't cut.
Strokes, fills and colors
- A stroke (outline) can be set to cut or score.
- A fill (solid shape) is engraved.
- Each color becomes its own step, so use one color per operation.
- Shapes to be cut out must be closed.
File checklist
- Artwork at real-world size.
- Text converted to outlines.
- No hidden, duplicate or stray paths.
- Cut lines kept apart from engrave fills that share an edge.
Why auto-traced art cuts badly
A traced logo has many tiny segments and small gaps. The laser slows down on every corner and leaves jagged edges, and open gaps stop shapes from being cut out. Redrawn vector with smooth curves and closed shapes cuts cleanly.
See the node-count benchmark for how many extra points auto-trace adds.
Get it redrawn as clean vector, set up for the job.
A designer redraws it by hand as closed paths, with the colors and layers your process needs, in 24 hours.
Need something custom? Email hello@vectorwiz.com
Frequently asked questions
What file type does Glowforge need?
SVG or PDF for vector cutting and scoring. JPG and PNG work for engraving only.
Why does Glowforge engrave instead of cutting my design?
The shapes are filled rather than stroked, or they are images. Cut lines need to be vector strokes.
How do I separate cut and engrave steps?
Give each operation its own color in the file; the app splits the job into steps by color.
Imran Hossain
Owns the tooling and automation behind our workflow. Keeps file output precise and consistent.
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