Choosing the right artwork setup depends on whether your product will be laser-cut from steel or printed/laser-etched. Each method has different requirements to ensure designs are both visually appealing and structurally sound. This quick comparison highlights the key differences in font use, file formats, and design considerations—making it easy to create artwork that looks great and performs perfectly in production.
Feature | Steel Wall Decor (Laser-Cut Metal) | Printed & Laser-Etched Products |
Font Flexibility | Limited – must use fonts that are clear, bold, and structurally sound | Flexible – any font style may be used (script, decorative, serif, etc.) |
Bridging Required | ✅ Yes – stencil breaks needed for enclosed letters (e.g., O, e, a) to prevent cutouts from falling out | ❌ Not required – letters remain intact since nothing is cut away |
Stencil Fonts | ✅ Required for negative text (cut-out designs) | ❌ Not required |
Minimum Font Size | At least 1″ tall for stencil/negative text | At least 0.1″ tall for readability when printed/etched |
Font Thickness | Must be moderate to thick (≥0.08″ / 2mm) to avoid breakage | Moderate preferred; thin/decorative fonts may be used if still legible |
Positive vs. Negative Text | Positive = black (metal remains)Negative = white (cut away)⚠️ Must ensure overlap & connectivity | Positive/negative text rules do not apply (fonts are surface printed/engraved) |
File Format | OTF for fonts; PNG/JPEG for uploads | OTF for fonts; PNG/JPEG (300 DPI) for uploads |
Previewing | Critical – check connections, bridges, and structural stability | Critical – check clarity, spacing, and alignment |