Request for quotation and File Formats
Project cost = Operation time + Material Cost + Set Up Cost
In order for us to provide you with a quotation or to process your order, we would need your specifications:
- dimensions
- material and material thickness
- quantity
and artwork (to scale) in one of the following file formats:
- ai - Adobe CS6 Illustrator File
- .dxf - AutoCad file r12 version
- .dwg - AutoCad file r14 version
- dimensions
- material and material thickness
- quantity
and artwork (to scale) in one of the following file formats:
- ai - Adobe CS6 Illustrator File
- .dxf - AutoCad file r12 version
- .dwg - AutoCad file r14 version
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For laser cutting lines use RED for your linework
For laser marking or rastering artwork use GREEN for your linework. For laser engraving artwork use BLUE for your linework. |
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File Preparation
Prepare your files well and we might give you a 5% discount for helping us speed things up.
For Laser Cutting Files
Maintaining continuous vector geometry
Try and make sure that all your vector paths are continuous. If strokes / closed shapes are constructed from more than one path, make sure that you join / close the paths.
To do this in Adobe illustrator, use the Direct Selection Tool and select the open endpoints.
Select Object > Path > Join (Ctrl+J, Cmd+J) from the top menu
Reducing anchor points / simplifying drawing
Draw with the least amount of anchor points possible without sacrificing the drawing appearance. If you can reduce them, we suggest you do. The machines will process your drawings quicker. Too many anchor points can also impact quality of the cutting edge.
On Adobe Illustrator, you can reduce the number of points with the Simplify tool:
Select the stroke path you wish to simplify.
Select Object > Path > Simplify from the top menu
Adjust the sliders until you have maintained a balance between preserving appearance and reducing the number of anchor points
Nesting components & minimum cut widths
If compiling a file with lots of components on one sheet of material, make sure there is a gap of at least 3mm between the components.
Small details / cut widths:
As a benchmark, we recommend that minimum cut widths be no smaller than the thickness of the material. E.G. If cutting from 3mm acrylic, its best not to allow cut widths less than 3mm. We can go smaller but things can get quite fragile and in some cases can cause the material to warp whilst cutting.
Try and make sure that all your vector paths are continuous. If strokes / closed shapes are constructed from more than one path, make sure that you join / close the paths.
To do this in Adobe illustrator, use the Direct Selection Tool and select the open endpoints.
Select Object > Path > Join (Ctrl+J, Cmd+J) from the top menu
Reducing anchor points / simplifying drawing
Draw with the least amount of anchor points possible without sacrificing the drawing appearance. If you can reduce them, we suggest you do. The machines will process your drawings quicker. Too many anchor points can also impact quality of the cutting edge.
On Adobe Illustrator, you can reduce the number of points with the Simplify tool:
Select the stroke path you wish to simplify.
Select Object > Path > Simplify from the top menu
Adjust the sliders until you have maintained a balance between preserving appearance and reducing the number of anchor points
Nesting components & minimum cut widths
If compiling a file with lots of components on one sheet of material, make sure there is a gap of at least 3mm between the components.
Small details / cut widths:
As a benchmark, we recommend that minimum cut widths be no smaller than the thickness of the material. E.G. If cutting from 3mm acrylic, its best not to allow cut widths less than 3mm. We can go smaller but things can get quite fragile and in some cases can cause the material to warp whilst cutting.
For Laser Marking and Engraving Files
Arrangement of laser marking artwork
When arranging artwork for laser marking that have a few components on one sheet, it’s best to keep all of the laser marking or raster artwork as close together as possible and in horizontal row. This will reduce the laser marking timing and as a result, reduce your cost.
Using text - outlining your fonts
All text used needs to be outlined / converted to paths.
Select Type > Font > Create outlines from the top menu
This is to convert the text to vectors and preserve your font. If you do not do this and we do not have your font installed on our computers, the file will open in default font Myriad or Arial. The floating geometry of some letters will fall out when laser cut which can make the text difficult to read. If you would like to prevent this one option is to use a stencil font.
Bespoke depths / treatments
We have established optimized settings for all materials. If you would like to achieve a deeper result or an engraving a little heavier let us know your specification.
Up to 2mm is considered deep for most materials
It is achievable, but the laser has to run slowly meaning the concentrated heat build up makes the material appear quite burnt / heat scorched. It is also more expensive to process. Raster and vector engraving is not absolute science in terms of depth specification and therefore not suitable for making mechanical grooves or any features requiring precise depths.
When arranging artwork for laser marking that have a few components on one sheet, it’s best to keep all of the laser marking or raster artwork as close together as possible and in horizontal row. This will reduce the laser marking timing and as a result, reduce your cost.
Using text - outlining your fonts
All text used needs to be outlined / converted to paths.
Select Type > Font > Create outlines from the top menu
This is to convert the text to vectors and preserve your font. If you do not do this and we do not have your font installed on our computers, the file will open in default font Myriad or Arial. The floating geometry of some letters will fall out when laser cut which can make the text difficult to read. If you would like to prevent this one option is to use a stencil font.
Bespoke depths / treatments
We have established optimized settings for all materials. If you would like to achieve a deeper result or an engraving a little heavier let us know your specification.
Up to 2mm is considered deep for most materials
It is achievable, but the laser has to run slowly meaning the concentrated heat build up makes the material appear quite burnt / heat scorched. It is also more expensive to process. Raster and vector engraving is not absolute science in terms of depth specification and therefore not suitable for making mechanical grooves or any features requiring precise depths.
If you have any other questions regarding file preparation, feel free to ask us at enquiry@kissaki.sg.