Photo to laser-ready PNG
Choose the final width and DPI together so the exported pixel grid matches the intended engraving size.
Follow the complete photo workflowNow on the App Store for iPhone and iPad
Prepare photos for laser engraving on iPhone and iPad.
Turn a photo into engraving dots, set the exact size, and export a PNG for LightBurn, xTool Creative Space, or your existing laser workflow.
Laser photo preparation app
Build the laser-ready image before you reach the machine.
EngravePrep handles the image stage on iPhone and iPad: crop the subject, remove a distracting background, tune the tones, compare six one-bit dithers, and export a precisely sized PNG. The finished file moves into laser software for placement and the machine settings you test on the real material.
iPhone to laser software
Transfer the original PNG without screenshots or message-app compression, then preserve the finished dots after import.
Use the LightBurn workflowUse the xTool Creative Space workflowOne deliberate dither
Compare Floyd-Steinberg, Jarvis, Stucki, Atkinson, Bayer, and Threshold at the final output size.
Compare the dither methodsClear scope at the laser
The app prepares image pixels. Focus, power, speed, ventilation, and material safety remain part of your machine guidance and scrap test.
Diagnose a photo resultTry every control free$4.99 oncePhotos stay on-deviceWorks with PNG workflows
Know what you are sending.
Prepare the crop, tones, dots, and final dimensions before the image reaches your laser software.
See the actual dots
Compare six deterministic dithers at the final size before export.
Prepare for the surface
Start with light wood, dark slate, glass, acrylic, coated metal, or Manual.
Keep the intended size
Set inches or millimeters and DPI, then verify the exact pixel dimensions.
Try before you pay
Use every editing control free. Unlock personal exports once for $4.99.
Prepare for the surface in front of you.
Choose a built-in starting point or use Manual for another engravable material.
Light wood
Protect highlights while preparing for a process that commonly creates a darker mark.
Dark slate
Invert the image signal for a surface where the engraved mark commonly appears lighter.
Glass and acrylic
Start from an inverted tonal response for light marks on compatible glass or acrylic workflows.
Coated metal
Prepare an inverted image for compatible processes that remove or change a surface coating.
Other engravable surfaces
Use Manual for neutral image controls without built-in material assumptions.
Material choices shape the image and polarity. Focus, speed, power, ventilation, and safe operation still require your machine guidance and a scrap test.
A short path to a clean file.
Every stage stays reversible until you create the full-resolution PNG.
- Choose a photoUse Photos, Files, the camera, or the included sample.
- Tune for materialAdjust crop, tone, polarity, sharpening, and dither.
- Set the real sizeEnter inches or millimeters and select the intended DPI.
- Export onceSend the finished PNG to your existing laser workflow without a second dither.
Six ways to turn tone into marks.
Compare every method at the same final size, inspect the real one-bit pixels, and choose the pattern that fits the photo and material.
Understand laser ditheringRead our six-dither benchmark methodBalanced
Floyd-Steinberg
A compact error-diffusion baseline that balances detail, tone, and an irregular dot field.More detail
Jarvis-Judice-Ninke
A broad error-diffusion pattern for smooth photographic transitions and fine tonal changes.Smooth portrait
Stucki
A broad photographic diffusion option with its own balance of texture and midtone detail.Holds highlights
Atkinson
A lighter, crisper dot pattern that can preserve open highlights in suitable photographs.Crisp pattern
Bayer ordered
A regular ordered pattern for predictable texture, graphic shapes, and broad tonal areas.Graphic contrast
Threshold
A direct black-or-white cutoff for line art, logos, and images that are already close to one-bit.Your photos stay yours.
EngravePrep works without an account or backend. Photos, projects, and presets remain in the app container on your device.
Read the privacy policy
Prepare the next photo on your phone.
Try every editing control free, then unlock personal full-resolution exports once for $4.99. No subscription.