Guide
Cut vs Engrave: Which Laser Project Do You Need?
By Amir Baker, founder of StencilCut · Updated
Choose Cut when the laser must travel through the material and leave a physical shape, stencil, sign, or outline. Choose Engrave when the base material stays intact and the laser burns detail onto its surface. The same photo needs very different artwork for each job: Cut uses connected vector paths, while Engrave preserves tone and texture in a raster image.
Choose Cut or EngraveOne source, two operations
The artwork changes with the job
These are matched demo assets. The source photo is followed by two digital previews generated for different operations.
A clear subject with visible eyes, ears, paws, and fur direction.
Bold regions and open white space intended for vector review.
Fine tonal marks remain because the base material supports them.
Digital previews show artwork preparation only. They are not photographs of a finished cut or engraving.
Step by step
- 1
Decide what the finished object should be
If material must separate into a shape, choose Cut. If the image should remain on the surface, choose Engrave.
- 2
Choose the matching artwork
Cut artwork needs bold connected regions and closed paths. Engrave artwork can keep fine lines, dots, and tonal detail.
- 3
Export the matching file
Use SVG or DXF for through-cut paths. Use a prepared PNG for photo engraving, with a separate vector outline only when the project also needs a cut edge.
- 4
Check the job in your laser software
Confirm dimensions, layer mode, material placement, and the manufacturer-recommended process. Test unfamiliar material on suitable scrap.
Cut removes material through the sheet
A Cut job follows vector paths through the stock. The result might be a freestanding silhouette, a stencil opening, a sign, or the outline around a keychain. Because pieces can separate, the design must account for retained material, floating islands, narrow connections, kerf, and the final physical size.
Engrave marks the surface
An Engrave job scans across the surface and changes its appearance without cutting the artwork free. Portrait detail can be represented with dots, lines, or tones because the material underneath supports every mark. A separate vector outline is needed only when the finished object also needs to be cut out.
The same photo needs different preparation
The demo below uses one cat photo. The Cut preview reduces it to bold black and white regions that can become vector paths. The Engrave preview keeps fur, eyes, and tonal transitions as pencil-like marks. They are alternative digital treatments, not photographs of finished material.
Choose the file by operation
For a Cut layer, use a vector file such as SVG or DXF so the software receives paths. For photo engraving, use a prepared raster such as PNG. LightBurn documents SVG and DXF as importable vector formats and PNG as an importable image format. xTool Creative Space also documents SVG, DXF, PNG, JPG, and WEBP imports. Import support does not choose safe machine settings for you.
Combined projects use separate layers
A coaster, ornament, or keychain can use both operations. Put surface artwork on an Engrave or Fill layer and the outside contour on a Cut or Line layer. Review the order and settings in the software connected to your machine. Do not treat a black screen preview as proof that the operations are assigned correctly.
A quick decision rule
Ask one question: should this black feature become physical material, a hole, or a surface mark? If it is physical material or a hole, it belongs in the Cut geometry. If it is a surface mark, it belongs in Engrave artwork. When a project uses both, keep the layers distinct and inspect each before running the machine.
Further reading
Try it yourself
Upload a photo, choose the operation you need, and review the generated artwork before export.
Choose Cut or EngraveFrequently asked questions
Should I cut or engrave a portrait?
Choose Cut for a bold silhouette or connected stencil made from the material itself. Choose Engrave for facial detail, fur, shading, or a photographic look on the surface.
Can one project use both Cut and Engrave?
Yes. Engrave the detail on one layer and cut the outside shape on another. Verify the layer mode, order, dimensions, and settings in your laser software before running the job.
Which file should I download for cutting?
Use SVG or DXF for vector cut paths. Confirm the imported dimensions and that the intended paths are assigned to a Cut or Line operation.
Which file should I use for photo engraving?
Use a prepared raster image such as PNG. It can keep tonal or dithered detail that would be too fragile or disconnected as through-cut geometry.
Does a supported file format mean my machine settings are ready?
No. File compatibility only means the software can import the artwork. Power, speed, focus, kerf, material, ventilation, and fire-safety procedures remain specific to the machine and stock.
Related guides
How to Choose a Photo for Laser Cutting or Engraving
Five checks that make a photo easier to cut or engrave.
How to Make a Connected Pet Portrait Stencil
Keep the pet recognizable while making the design hold together.
How to Use SVG Files in LightBurn
Import, size, and assign layers the right way.
What Is Bridging in Laser Cutting? (Floating Islands Explained)
Why parts fall out of stencils, and how bridges fix it.