Set-Up Guides

 

 

Lost Kiwi’s Laser File Guide

Below you’ll find everything you need to prepare your artwork so it’s ready to be cut or engraved in our studio. Think of this as your captain’s log for charting creative waters.

 

 Download PDF Guide

 

⚓ How It Works

  1. Dream Your Design > Sketch shapes, letters, or patterns that float in your imagination. You can draw them yourself, hire a designer, or use designs you have the legal rights to use. Your only limit is your creative tide.

  2. Prepare Your Laser File > Use a vector program (such as Adobe Illustrator, Affinity, or similar) to set up your design. Follow the instructions below so your artwork is laser‑ready.

  3. Submit for Quote & Sail > Once your file is ready, upload it to us for a quote. After approval and payment, we’ll bring your design to life with laser precision and dispatch it to your doorstep. 


 


📐 What Is a Vector File?

Laser cutters follow mathematical paths, not pixels, which is why your file needs to be a vector file like AI, EPS, SVG, DXF, DWG, or a true vector PDF. If your design blurs when you zoom in, that means it’s not vector and won’t give a crisp cut. Programs like Photoshop save pixel files, so make sure your artwork exports as a true vector. 

🪵 Marking Your Cut Lines

These are the trails our laser will follow:

  • Cut lines should be coloured RGB Red (255,0,0) with a 0.1pt stroke, this tells the laser to cut through the material.

  • Keep at least 1–2 mm between shapes, and leave a 2–3 mm margin from the edges of your board.

  • Avoid pieces smaller than about 5 mm, tiny shapes can fall through the machine bed and be lost at sea.

  • Ensure parts of your design that hang or connect (like earring loops) are strong and at least 2 mm thick.

    These tips help your design emerge sturdy and beautiful after cutting. 

✒️ Engraving Your Design

There are two kinds of engraving you can use:

Raster Engraving

  • Fill areas you want engraved with RGB Black (0,0,0).

  • This method etches a surface texture, lighter on acrylic, darker on wood.

  • You can include pixel images (like photos) inside your vector file for this.

Fine‑Line (Vector) Engraving

  • Use RGB Blue (0,0,255) with a 0.1pt stroke for thin engraved lines.

  • Best for simple, clean line work.

  • Not ideal for paint filling because the grooves are very fine.

Engraving is slower than cutting, so plan your layout wisely. 

🗺 Laying Out Your File (Your Creative Map)

To help your design flow like a well‑navigated voyage:

  • Start with the right file type > use AI, SVG, Affinity or similar vector formats.

  • Match your artboard to your material size > usually 600 × 300 mm (usable area ~295 × 595 mm).

  • Work top‑left first > arrange shapes in neat columns.

  • Leave margin space > at least 2–3 mm from each edge.

  • Nest your shapes close to save material > rotate and tessellate shapes like you’re fitting sails in a hold.

  • Include extra duplicates of tiny pieces > having spares is like having extra sails in a storm.

  • Expand text and pattern fills > everything must be outlines so the laser reads it correctly.

  • Clean up your file > remove effects like shadows and masks; these can confuse the cutter.

  • Print a paper mock‑up > sometimes laying your design on your desk gives you the best sense of scale. 

🧭 Pre‑Quote Checklist Before You Submit

Make sure you’ve checked all of these before you send your file for quoting:

  • Editable vector file saved (AI, EPS, SVG, DXF, DWG, etc.).

  • Document set to RGB colour mode.

  • Cut lines (red), engrave areas (black), fine lines (blue) are correct colours and strokes.

  • Shapes fit within your material’s printable area.

  • Text converted to outlines.

  • All objects at 100 % opacity.

  • At least 1–2 mm between shapes.

  • Extra duplicates of very small pieces included.

  • No hidden duplicates or overlapping lines.

  • File named clearly with material choice (e.g., “Ocean-Blue-Perfect-Matte.ai”). 

 Need Help Setting Up Your Files?

If you’re unsure how to prepare your design or need someone to help translate your creative vision into a laser‑ready file, I can help, just let me know if you’d like recommendations.