This checklist assumes you already understand why etching holds up better than printed barware — if not, start with our complete guide to custom laser etched glassware. What follows is the file-prep side: the exact specs our production team checks before a design goes anywhere near the machine.

Vector Art Specification Checklist

• File formats: Vector .AI (Illustrator), .EPS, .PDF, or clean .SVG. High-res 300+ DPI monochrome raster files can work in a pinch, but true vectors yield the sharpest edges.
• Color mode: 100% solid black (K: 100%). The laser reads black as etch and white as ignore — there's no in-between for a standard single-pass engrave.
• No gradients or shading: A laser can't "shade" glass the way an inkjet printer shades paper. Simulate shading with solid contrast, or high-contrast vector stippling/hatching.
• Minimum line weight: 0.5 pt (0.175 mm / 0.007 in). Anything thinner risks discontinuous micro-fracturing — the line etches in broken segments instead of one clean stroke.
• Minimum font size: 8 pt for clean sans-serif type; 10 pt for ornate or script fonts, which need more mass to hold fine detail.

Text converted to outlines before submission.

Correct stroke weight (left) vs. an undersized stroke that etched in broken segments (right).

Pathfinder > Unite merges overlapping shapes before export.

3 Critical File Traps to Avoid

1. Hidden overlapping vector paths

If your artwork contains overlapping shapes that aren't merged, the laser's path generator may double-fire along the overlapping lines, creating excessive thermal stress and rough edges.

Fix: Select all artwork in Adobe Illustrator and apply Pathfinder > Unite to merge shapes into a single unified boundary path.

2. Live fonts instead of outlines

If the production machine doesn't have your specific typeface installed, the file can silently default to a system font, altering kerning and baseline spacing.

Fix: Select all text and run Type > Create Outlines (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows, Cmd+Shift+O on Mac) before export.

3. Thin script hairlines and micro-islands

Ornate calligraphy fonts often taper entry and exit strokes below 0.25 pt. On glass, hairlines that thin may not carry enough energy to generate visible micro-fracturing.

Fix: Add a minimal 0.25 pt–0.5 pt stroke offset to fragile script tails so the line etches continuously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a PNG or JPG instead of a vector file?

Yes, for simple logos or monograms a high-resolution (300+ DPI) monochrome raster file can work. But raster edges get slightly softened when scaled or rasterized by the laser software, so a true vector file will always produce the crispest result.

Why does my design need to be pure black instead of a color?

A standard single-pass glass etch is binary — the laser either fires or it doesn't. Solid black (100% K) tells the machine exactly which areas to etch; grays, colors, or gradients get interpreted inconsistently and can produce a patchy or uneven frosted result.

What happens if my stroke weight is too thin?

Lines thinner than roughly 0.5pt often etch as broken, discontinuous segments instead of one clean stroke, since there isn't enough surface area for consistent micro-fracturing. This is the single most common reason a proof gets sent back for revision.

Do I need to convert fonts to outlines even if I'm using a common font?

Yes. Even widely available fonts can render with slightly different kerning or spacing across systems and software versions. Converting to outlines locks in exactly what you designed, regardless of what's installed on the production machine.

Ready to launch production? Verify your artwork against this checklist, then send it directly to our team through our custom etched glassware collection for an instant vector proof.