Ponoko

JPEG &amp; PNG files aren't quite ready for laser cutting.&nbsp;

Lasers need artwork made up of vector paths rather than pixel based images.

If you can source or export vector design files from your software then that will work out best. We currently use DXF, AI, SVG or EPS files.  More about this <a href="https://help.ponoko.com/en/articles/2688477-what-design-software-file-type-should-i-use">here</a>.

<a href="https://help.ponoko.com/en/articles/3460275-how-do-i-get-a-vector-design-file-to-get-a-quote">Here </a>are some other ways to get files.

Alternatively, as a quick fix you can convert simple images to vectors.

How to convert simple images to vector artwork

Make sure your image is a single solid color rather than a line drawing to prevent duplicate cutting lines:

Upload a black and white PNG or JPG to <a href="https://convertio.co/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://convertio.co/</a>

&nbsp;Convert the design to an vector EPS

Download the EPS and upload it into your Ponoko account.

1. Upload a black and white PNG or JPG to <a href="https://convertio.co/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://convertio.co/</a> 
2.  Convert the design to an vector EPS
3. Download the EPS and upload it into your Ponoko account.

Upload a black and white PNG to <a href="https://www.pngtosvg.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pngtosvg.com/</a>

Set the options to 1 color and what ever simplification settings make sense

Download the SVG and upload it into your Ponoko account

1. Upload a black and white PNG to <a href="https://www.pngtosvg.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pngtosvg.com/</a>
2. Set the options to 1 color and what ever simplification settings make sense
3. Download the SVG and upload it into your Ponoko account

Software: <a href="http://www.adobe.com/Illustrator%E2%80%8E" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adobe Illustrator</a> (paid software) Function: Image Trace

Bring up the panel with 'Window &gt; Image trace'.&nbsp;

Select the 'black and white mode'. Expand the 'advanced' section. Then tick the 'Ignore white' box

1. Object &gt; Image Trace &gt; Make
2. Bring up the panel with 'Window &gt; Image trace'.&nbsp;
3. Select the 'black and white mode'. Expand the 'advanced' section. Then tick the 'Ignore white' box
4. Object &gt; Image Trace &gt; Expand

Software: <a href="https://inkscape.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Inkscape</a> (free software) Function: Trace Bitmap

The original image will still be behind your new traced image, so make sure you select it and delete it

1. Path &gt; Trace Bitmap &gt; Ok
2. The original image will still be behind your new traced image, so make sure you select it and delete it