How to Prepare Files for CNC Acrylic Cutting

Most delays on a custom acrylic job come from the file, not the machine. This checklist covers what we need to quote and cut without going back and forth.

File formats DXF, SVG and PDF all work. Vector geometry is what we cut — a raster image or a photo of a drawing cannot be machined directly and will slow your quote down.

Closed vector paths Every cut profile must be a closed path. Open contours, duplicate overlapping lines and stray construction geometry are the most common problems we send back. Delete anything that is not meant to be cut.

Units and scale State the units in the file or in your notes. A drawing that is right in millimetres and wrong in inches is the single most expensive mistake in custom work. Include at least one overall dimension so we can verify scale.

Separate your operations Keep cut, engrave and drill geometry on separate layers or in distinct colours, and tell us which is which. If a hole is tapped, countersunk or has a required tolerance, note it.

Tolerances and edges Tell us where tolerance actually matters. Acrylic moves slightly with temperature and cut edges vary depending on the finish, so specify whether you need a saw-cut, machine-cut, flame-polished or diamond-polished edge on visible faces.

Material and quantity Include material, thickness, quantity and whether you want protective masking left on. A prototype and a production run are often quoted very differently.

Send your file with these details and we will come back with pricing, lead time and any recommendations to make the part cheaper to run.