Artwork Reference Guide

This guide is for customers supplying their own artwork or working with a designer. It explains how files must be prepared for laser engraving.

Files that don’t meet these requirements may require paid fixes or replacement artwork.

Accepted file formats

Preferred (best results):

  • SVG
  • PDF (vector)

Also accepted:

  • PNG

Raster files must be high resolution (300 DPI minimum) and supplied at final size.

File size & scale

Artwork must be supplied at final engraving size (1:1 scale) using millimetres (mm). Files must not rely on scaling during import.

Artwork colour & appearance

  • All cut lines should be RGB red and stroke weight 0.1
  • All scored lines should be RGB blue and stroke weight 0.1
  • Any raster engraving should have a black fill
  • Avoid gradients, shadows, textures, or visual effects
  • Engraving works best with solid shapes and clear contrast

Line weight & detail limits

Very fine lines, hairline strokes, small text, or dense detail may not engrave cleanly. If artwork looks fragile or hard to read at final size on screen, it is unlikely to engrave well.

If unsure, please pass this guide to your designer before ordering.

Vector artwork preparation

Vector files must be supplied as:

  • Clean vector paths only
  • No clipping masks
  • No live strokes
  • No appearance effects
  • No hidden layers or objects

All text must be converted to outlines.

Proofs & production

One engraving proof is supplied before production.

Proofs are for technical approval only. We don’t offer alternative layouts or design changes at proof stage.

Artwork fixes & responsibility

Minor technical fixes may be possible and are charged at a fixed £25 fee, confirmed before production.

We don’t offer logo design, redraws, or artwork improvement.

Your logo is engraved as supplied unless minor technical fixes are agreed in advance.

If your artwork isn’t suitable

If your file isn’t suitable for engraving, we’ll contact you once to request a replacement or approval for paid fixes.

If we don’t hear back, production may be delayed or the order refunded.

Contact

If a designer has questions about this guide, they can contact us at:
hello@littlemerchcompany.co.uk