How to Prepare a Photo for Laser Engraving
A complete, machine-neutral workflow for choosing, cropping, tuning, dithering, sizing, inspecting, and testing a laser engraving photo.
EngravePrep field guide
Better files. Smarter tests.
Learn what happens before the laser moves, where the image workflow ends, and which variables still need a material test.
Start with the complete workflow
New to photo engraving? Follow one image from source selection through final-size dither, handoff, and scrap testing.
Read the workflowChooseCropTuneDitherSizeTest
Fundamentals
3 guides
Read guide
Dithering for Laser Engraving: A Practical Guide
Understand how one-bit dithering represents photo tones, how common algorithms differ, and how to choose without processing the image twice.
Laser Engraving DPI and Line Interval Explained
Learn the DPI and line interval relationship, calculate output pixels, avoid overlapping scan lines, and preserve exact size in a photo workflow.
Workflow
1 guide
How to Use LightBurn Pass-Through With a Dithered Image
A focused handoff guide for importing an externally dithered, one-bit PNG into LightBurn without applying another dither or changing its pixel pattern.
Materials
1 guide
How to Prepare a Photo for Slate Laser Engraving
A careful photo-preparation workflow for slate, including polarity, contrast, dithering, sizing, and a controlled material test.
Troubleshooting
1 guide
Why a Laser Photo Looks Dark, Muddy, or Blurry
Diagnose a laser photo systematically by separating source-image, dither, resolution, focus, energy, material, and handoff problems.
Need a term, not a tutorial?
Use the plain-language glossary for dither, DPI, gamma, polarity, raster, Pass-Through, and the rest of the photo workflow.