Home-based laser cutters are becoming more common, thanks to rapidly dropping prices and improving technology. You may have heard that you can make almost any image laser cut. If you already have some experience in the subject, you know that you need to convert the image to a vector file format. But have you ever wondered why this process is necessary?
Graphic image file formats like BMP, JPG, and GIF are composed of pixels, which are small squares that represent the image in dots, like a mosaic. The mosaic effect that occurs when you zoom in is just one of the things that causes problems, so a vector file format handles the shapes and drawings in a way that prevents this effect from occurring, even when the drawing is scaled to other sizes. Some common vector formats are CDR, AI, and SVG. There are also file formats that are native vector, like DXF and DWG, for example.
We’ve gathered a list of websites that offer free laser cutting files for you to look through. And yes, there are many such platforms, so let’s take a look at how we narrowed down our picks.
Considerations
There are many free laser cut project sources throughout the internet. So, to gather this selection of providers, some parameters were weighted to get the best options available. To get the best and save your browsing time, the following characteristics were considered:
- Number of files: Not only did we expect at least around a minimum of 50 free files available for download, or a handful per day or week, but the quality of the projects were also considered in our picks.
- User interface: All these websites are easy to navigate, and the overall experience of getting the files is user-friendly.
- Variety of files: Each of these platforms has a variety of categories or themes of files, plus different file extensions are available as well.
With that in mind, let’s dig the list!
DXF Downloads
First up is DXF Downloads, one of the most interesting sites on this list. While there are hundreds of files in the free-to-download section, it’s the ones in the “premium” section that caught our eye.
The entire site is free, and you will only pay if you find a special model that requires a certain number of points. You upload your own work to gain points and spend those points to download other users’ files. If you don’t have the time (or skills), you can purchase points for half a penny per point, which is a better exchange rate than most video games, and there’s also a totally free section “for those who do not participate”.
This site is great if you have some of your own projects that you can upload to gain access to others’ designs, as well as to join a thriving community of people with similar interests. Hopefully, more platforms will adopt this approach!
- Number of free files: Over 1,500 with the option of hundreds more
- Navigation and layout: Each file uploaded into a separate project without much categorization
- Account needed: No, but making an account gives you access to many more free files
- File types available: Mostly DXF, but some projects have other types as well, like AI or EPS
Master Bundles
Master Bundles is another graphic design marketplace where you can buy, sell, and download free files in various formats. With over 2,900 results for free SVG files, there’s a good variety of interesting templates. To download the free files, you need to add them to your cart and then proceed to checkout where your email will be requested. After providing this information, the selected files will become available for download.
The files are available in formats such as EPS, PNG, and PDF, and distributed into categories that make searching quite easy. You also have filters for Rating, File type, and Color. If you’re looking for a simple design and haven’t found one yet, this is a good place to start exploring.
- Number of free files: More than 2,900
- Navigation and layout: Easy to find files using the search field or filters and categories
- Account needed: No
- File types available: EPS, PDF, PNG, and SVG
Vectors Art
Vectors Art hosts files encompassing multiple styles, from Taekwondo medal hangers to keychain cellphone holders, Arabic wall art to dog-silhouette wall clocks. Luckily, this eclectic mix is sorted using tags, which makes finding what you’re looking for a much simpler task. You can categorize the files by type as well, though that will leave you sorting through thousands of projects if you’re looking for something specific.
As for downloading the files, they’re easily accessible, though require a 10-second wait time before they begin. Still, if you have the patience, you can find almost anything here.
- Number of free files: Over 35,000
- Navigation and layout: Uses tags to categorize files
- Account needed: No
- File types available: AI, CDR, DXF, EPS, and PDF
Vectors File
Vectors File offers a diverse collection of files for laser cutting, catering to various needs and preferences. The files are well-organized, allowing users to browse by type, category, tags, and more. The top menu provides easy navigation through these sorting options, ensuring that users can quickly find what they’re looking for. Additionally, a convenient search bar is available, which is handy if users are looking for a specific term.
An interesting point is that some projects show a “Verified with Laser Cutting” message, ensuring it works well. While the download page may appear a bit cluttered, the process of downloading a file is straightforward. After selecting a format, users simply click the text to initiate the download. Despite the clutter, the site remains a valuable resource for those in need of laser cutting files, offering a wide range of options and an efficient search and download process.
- Number of free files: Around 28,000
- Navigation and layout: Easy to find the files, but to download you first click on the file format you need, then you are redirected to another cluttered page where you have to click a text to download the file
- Account needed: No
- File types available: DXF, CDR, DWG, SVG, AI, EPS, and PDF
Craftsman Space
Intended for “artisans, students, hobbyists, enthusiasts, students, engineers,” Craftsman Space lives up to its name. Each design is beautifully intricate (like these Celtic spirals) and available in a variety of common file types for maximum versatility.
But the site is much more than beautiful SVGs, boasting 3D printing files, books on mechanics, engineering, and woodworking, among other topics, and even CAD software – all for free. Even if you don’t have a laser cutter (yet), it’s worth taking a look around at the bounty being offered.
Downloading the files is quick and easy, without needing to sign up for an account.
- Number of free files: About 600
- Navigation and layout: Quickly scan by pre-defined categories or type of design
- Account needed: No
- File types available: DWG, EPS, and SVG
Ponoko
In addition to being a laser cutting and engraving service, Ponoko offers a free laser cutting file section with EPS and SVG files, two of the more common formats for home-based lasers. And these files are incredibly varied, from a relief map of western Europe to a wooden tulip vase, and even a Raspberry Pi case!
You can download any file by simply clicking the image – no secondary loading screens or wait times, just files at your fingertips!
- Number of free files: Over 260
- Navigation and layout: Free files grouped together; sorting by popularity, name, or file type
- Account needed: Yes
- File types available: EPS, SVG
Free DXF
As the name suggests, Free DXF offers free DXF files for download, focusing on laser, plasma, and waterjet cutting systems. Their files are organized into categories such as doors, patterns, and panels, catering to decor projects.
The collection is geared more towards laser engraving and the graphic aspect of laser cutting, so users won’t find 3D puzzles or other kinds of assembly projects. Instead, Free DXF excels in providing files for wall art and clipart, making it a valuable resource for those types of creative projects. Additionally, they offer a custom design service, allowing users to commission unique designs tailored to their specific needs.
- Number of free files: Over 10,000
- Navigation and layout: Very straightforward and uncluttered
- Account needed: No
- File types available: AI, CDR, DXF, and PDF
DXF for CNC
DXF for CNC is pretty self-explanatory. These are DXF files suitable for laser cutters or more traditional CNC machines that use drill bits. It’s a site that specializes in silhouette-style shapes and images, including welcome signs, bald eagles, hearts, hot rods, and more. The freebie section is sizeable, with over 1, 700 files at the current count, and you have the option of purchasing every file, current and future, for a one-time price of $2,500 – a steal if you’re frequently purchasing files from them.
Downloading from them requires not only an account but also your physical address and shipping information, even when purchasing digital files. This doesn’t affect anything, but it’s worth mentioning.
- Number of free files: Around 1,700, with new ones being added all the time
- Navigation and layout: Sort by collections (like automobiles), use the search bar, or just browse through pages
- Account needed: Yes
- File types available: DXF
3axis.co
3axis.co is one of the largest repositories of files on this list, which is great! You can browse by file type (helpful if your laser is particularly picky about what it can read), but if you’re looking for something more specific, you’re out of luck.
The search bar is helpful, but you’ll still be sorting through dozens or hundreds of files with no real way to narrow it down. Still, for the number of files it offers, this site is useful for everyone, whether starting out or a seasoned pro.
- Number of free files: Over 25,000
- Navigation and layout: Easily navigate by file type, or use the search bar
- Account needed: No
- File types available: CDR, DWG, DXF, DWG, and PDF
CNC File
CNC File has one of the largest varieties of files of any of the free sites on our list. From fruit baskets to ornamental mandalas, there’s something for everyone. One thing to note, though, is that you’re going to need to look for it. Like a lot of sites, there’s more concern taken for gathering files than sorting them, so you’re going to have to put the work in yourself if you want something specific. Still, the sheer number of quality files is well worth the effort!
Downloading is fast and easy: two clicks of the mouse, and you have your file on your hard drive!
- Number of free files: More than 15,000
- Navigation and layout: Sortable by file type, with a few basic categories like “animals”
- Account needed: No
- File types available: AI, CDR, DWG, DXF, PDF, and SVG
Free Patterns Area
On Free Patterns Area, you’ll find laser cut drawings and designs that were created in 2D CAD software and converted to vector and 3D file formats. Freedom is very important here, so the files are available in many different formats, including SVG, PNG, and STL. Although the main focus of the site is laser cut files, there are also some 3D printable files.
The sketch files, which are created by hand and on tablets, are only available for personal use. In the Free Vectors files section, you’ll find everything from black and white drawings to incredibly intricate designs. The projects section is focused on CNC and laser cutting equipment.
- Number of free files: Over 200 file groups divided between projects and vectors
- Navigation and layout: Simple and straightforward to use, files organized in themed sets with around four to six pieces
- Account needed: No
- File types available: CDR, DWG, DXF, EPS, PDF, PNG, STL, and SVG
Design Bundles
Design Bundles is another graphic design marketplace brimming with interesting artwork and templates, and among them, more than 2,000 files are free. You’ll find things like Christmas ornaments, school templates, cardholders, games, and other ornaments easily using the search field, but you can also browse by category if you just want to view the free ones.
Another interesting point is that items are often made available along with their variations. To download the designs, you first need to sign up and log in.
- Number of free files: Over 2,000
- Navigation and layout: There are huge advertising banners but in general the items are well grouped into categories and filters
- Account needed: Yes
- File types available: AI, CDR, DXF, EPS, PDF, PNG, and SVG
Maker Union
Maker Union offers over 1,400 high-quality free designs for you to make amazing laser cutting projects. However, registration is required, and the license strictly prohibits sharing files and templates, so you may not share them with anyone or on other websites.
In short there are many good options here, but the site is exclusively for makers and professionals to use directly. All files are shared in DXF, so they can be scaled without resolution loss issues.
- Number of free files: 276 packs of files
- Navigation and layout: Straightforward, themed packs with varying number of files
- Account needed: Yes, an account gives you access to 1,400+ files
- File types available: DXF and JPG
Library Laser
Library Laser is an online shop specializing in files for laser cutting. In addition to their files for sale, they offer a substantial library of free designs that encompasses a good variety of concepts. Their collection contains toys, decorative items, utility goods, and more.
To download the files, users must create an account and proceed as if making a purchase – free files are set apart with a price tag of $0.00. After completing the purchase, users receive a download link via email with an expiry date. While there is an eight-download limit per day for free designs, paid ones have no download limit.
- Number of free files: Over 1,600
- Navigation and layout: Clean, and organized as an online shop
- Account needed: Yes
- File types available: AI, CDR, DXT, PDF, and SVG
Honorable Mentions
While doing our research, we found some interesting options that wouldn’t fit our initial considerations for the list, especially because of the quantity of files available. Even though, by the quality and variety of items, we would like to include the following few more sources as honorable mentions.
Being oriented towards graphic design, files available in Vecteezy are better suited for screen or print, but some files are fit for laser cutting. It has a robust set of categories that can quickly and easily get you what you’re looking for, but it should be noted that when you use their free files, you’ll have to attribute Vecteezy somewhere on the piece.
Trotec is one of the best-known laser cutter manufacturers and they provide a few free sample files for laser cutting on their website. Designs can be narrowed down by application and material, and each file is bundled into a project with explicit instructions on how to create it using a Trotec product. That said, for sure you can find the parameter to produce in any other laser cutter.
Boss Laser is another laser cutter machine manufacturer that offers free files. They have a varied selection organized into material and project categories. The total count of projects is close to 50, but their quality makes worth taking a look at.
Bonus Sites
If you still haven’t found your ideal cut on these sites, don’t be discouraged just yet! After all, there are other places to find what you need. For example, sites like Thingiverse, Instructables, Printables, and Cults, while focused on 3D printing, also contain numerous models of cool cuts. You’ll find wall panels, DIY projects, and many other fun projects.
And if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, check out Boxes.py. It’s an open-source box generator written in Python. Here, you can choose the template and generate the size to your specific requirements. There are over 100 different options ranging from simple boxes to arcade-style cabinets!