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Laser-cutting fundamentals

Working knowledge for makers, sign shops, and designers — what bridges are, why letters fall out, how kerf actually behaves, and what file format actually works.

fundamentals

What Is a Bridge in Laser Cutting?

A bridge is a strip of uncut material that keeps floating pieces attached. Here's why your laser cuts need them — and how Lazrit adds them automatically.

Why Do Letters Fall Out of My Laser-Cut Sign?

Letter counters — the inside of an O, A, P, R — fall out because there's nothing holding them to the rest of the sign. Here's the fix.

Laser Cutting vs Laser Engraving: When to Use Which

Cutting separates material; engraving marks the surface. Here's when to use each — and how to mix them in one Lazrit file.

SVG vs DXF vs PDF for Laser Cutting: Which Format?

SVG is the standard for laser cutting. DXF is the CAD legacy. PDF is the polite holdout. Here's when each format actually matters.

Kerf in Laser Cutting: What It Is, Why It Matters

Kerf is the width of material the laser vaporizes as it cuts. Here's why it matters for tight-fit parts — and what Lazrit does (and doesn't) do about it.

Importing Lazrit SVG into LightBurn: Step-by-Step

Step-by-step: import a Lazrit-exported SVG into LightBurn, assign cut and engrave layers, set power and speed, and run the job.

Glowforge vs xTool: Cutting Capabilities Compared

Glowforge vs xTool side-by-side: power, bed size, supported materials, software, and which Lazrit file format works on each.

Minimum Feature Size: How Small Can a Laser Cut?

How small can a laser cut feature actually survive? It depends on the material, the kerf, and the cooling. Practical limits per material.