03.09.2026

A good file is half the battle for a perfect piece. When the technical drawing arrives well-prepared, the laser cutting is quoted faster, executed without doubts, and delivered without surprises. When it arrives with problems, each correction is an exchange of emails, a lost day, and sometimes a piece that wasn't quite what the client imagined.

This practical guide brings together everything you need to know to prepare files DXF, DWG, or PDF for laser cutting: which format to choose, how to design for manufacturing, which errors to avoid, and what information to attach to the order. In the end, your quote arrives faster and your piece comes out better.

Which format to choose: DXF, DWG, or PDF

All three formats are accepted at Lumiinox, but they are not equivalent. DXF is the universal format for exchanging technical drawings: virtually all CAD programs export it, and it is the one that the cutting machine reads most reliably. If you can choose a single format, choose DXF.

The DWG is the native format of AutoCAD and several compatible programs. It works equally well, provided the drawing is clean and organized. PDF is the most accessible for those who don't work with CAD: it's perfectly suited for budgeting and, if it's at real scale and with good vector definition, our team will convert it for sectioning. A scanned PDF of a paper sketch is also a valid starting point, but will require redrawing on our end.

Draw at real scale and in millimetres

The most common mistake, and the easiest to avoid, is scale. Always draw the part at 1:1 scale and in millimetres. A 1:2 or inch drawing requires conversions that are a source of error, and a drawing without a defined scale forces us to request confirmation of all measurements, delaying the quote.

Confirm before exporting: measure a known dimension of the part in the software and check if it corresponds to the real value. Thirty seconds of verification saves days of clarifications.

Close all contours

For the machine, each part is a continuous path. Loose lines, overlapping segments, contours that don't close, or vertices that don't coincide generate errors in the cutting program. In your CAD, use the geometry checking tools and the functions to join or close polylines before exporting.

Pay special attention to drawings converted from other formats or inherited from old projects: they frequently accumulate duplicate lines invisible to the eye, which are only detected with geometry cleanup.

Clean the file before sending.

The ideal file contains only the cutting geometry. Delete Dimensions, frames, legends, plots and explanatory texts, or leave them on a separate and clearly identified layer. Also delete deactivated layers and unused blocks.

If the part has laser engravings or markings, separate them into a separate layer with an explicit name. And if you send several parts in the same file, identify each one and indicate the respective quantities.

Think about manufacturing while designing

A drawing can be geometrically correct and still be difficult to manufacture. Some simple rules make all the difference. Avoid holes with a diameter smaller than the sheet thickness: they are possible in many cases, but they increase the cost of cutting and can compromise quality. Keep reasonable distances between holes and edgesat least close to the thickness of the material. Avoid perfectly sharp internal corners: a small radius improves cutting and the durability of the part.

If the part is bent after cutting, the drawing must provide for the bends: position of the bend lines, interior radii and bend compensation, which depends on the material and thickness. If in doubt, send the final part you want and we will calculate the plan: it is one of the points where the connection between cutting and bending at Lumiinox most benefits the customer.

The information you should attach to the order

Along with the file, three pieces of information allow us to quote immediately: the material (stainless steel, aluminium or other alloy, and the finish, if relevant), the thickness of the plate and the quantity of parts. Add the desired deadline, if critical, and any special finishing or tolerance requirements.

How to export correctly in the most common programs

No AutoCAD and compatible, use the export command to DXF and choose a widely supported format version; before that, clean up the drawing to remove unused elements and check that the polylines are closed. In SolidWorks, Inventor, and Fusion, export the flattened sheet face as DXF directly from the sheet bending module: the flattening already comes out with the bend compensations from the software itself, which saves us calculations and you approximations.

No Illustrator and vector drawing programsConvert all text to curves before exporting, set the artboard to the actual dimensions of the part, and export as a vector DXF or PDF. These programs are common in decorative work, perforated panels, and cut-out lettering, and work perfectly as long as the scale is under control.

Engraving and marking: identify what is not a cut

In addition to cutting, the laser can engraving create bend lines, assembly references, numbering, and logos. The rule is simple: everything that does not go through the sheet must be on a separate layer with a clear name. This way, the programming immediately distinguishes what is a cut contour and what is a surface marking, and the part arrives with all the information the assembly needs.

Tolerances: what you can expect from laser cutting

Laser cutting works with tight tolerances, suitable for the vast majority of metalworking and light industry applications. If your part has critical dimensional requirements, indicate them in the order: tell us what the functional dimensions are and what tolerance is required, and we will confirm feasibility before cutting. It is always preferable to have a conversation before cutting than a surprise afterward.

Remember also that the material has its own thickness and flatness tolerances, defined by the sheet metal manufacturing standards. In welded or bent assemblies, it is the sum of these tolerances that determines the final result, and our team's experience in bending and metalwork helps manage it from the design stage.

Common errors that delay quotes

It's worth knowing the classics, because they are all avoidable. Files without scale or in the wrong units. Open or duplicated contours. Text that should be engraving mixed with cutting geometry. Different parts in the same file without identification. Lack of material and thickness indication. Low-resolution rasterized PDFs, where lines become blurs. And outdated versions: always confirm that you are sending the latest version of the drawing.

None of these problems are prohibitive, and our team solves them every day. But each one adds a message exchange to the process, and your budget gets slower because of it.

Don't have a technical drawing? We can help.

That's not an impediment. A significant portion of our clients arrive with an idea, a photograph, an old piece to replicate, or a hand-drawn sketch with the main measurements. From there, our team develops the technical drawing with you, validates the measurements before cutting, and saves the file for future orders.

This follow-up is part of the service and applies to both companies and individuals. The goal is simple: that the lack of a file is never a reason to postpone a project.

A checklist before sending

Before pressing the send button, go through this mental checklist. Is the piece drawn to real scale, in millimetres? Are all contours closed and without duplicates? Does the file contain only the necessary geometry, with engravings on a separate layer? Are the texts converted to curves? Are the material, thickness, and quantity indicated in the message? Is the file version the final one? If you answered yes to everything, your order will be one of the fastest we quote this week. And if you missed any points, don't worry: send it anyway, and our team will point out what's missing and help you solve it.

Frequently asked questions

Do they accept files from free drawing programs?

Yes. Any program that exports DXF works, including the most common free ones. What matters is the quality of the geometry, not the program.

Can I send a physical part to be copied?

Yes. We measure and draw the part, validate the drawing with you, and only then cut it.

How do I send the files?

Through the form of quote request or by email. For multiple files, a single identified ZIP is ideal.

Does the quote have a cost?

No. The quote is free and without obligation, and we respond quickly.

Send your project

With the file prepared according to this guide, the process is quick: send it, indicate the material, thickness and quantity, and receive the proposal. Learn more on our page Laser cutting service and see examples on the page of Completed Projects.