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. All the sites we’ve included offer at least 50 free files in a separate free section – or the entire website is free – rather than you needing to search for files. We’ve also focused on sites with good navigation so that you can narrow down your search by file type or other criteria, cutting search times.
With that in mind, let’s get to 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 1,400 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 2,800 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: 2,800+
- 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
Design Bundles
Design Bundles is another graphic design marketplace brimming with interesting artwork and templates, and among them, approximately 1,000 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: ~1,000
- 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
Laser Ready Templates
Who doesn’t like a sale? Laser Ready Templates is an e-commerce website with a free section that doubles as a sale bin of 100% off! This showcases files from all over their website, from beer signs to puzzles to tools, allowing you to see what’s on offer. And with the selection changing every week, something you’ve got your eye on will probably be in there sooner or later.
You’ll need to set up an account complete with credit card info before you can download any files, even the free ones, but once that’s done the download process is as easy as any e-commerce website we’ve been on.
- Number of free files: A weekly selection of 50 files
- Navigation and layout: Easy section grouping on the left-hand side, plus search bar
- Account needed: Yes, you add your free files to a Shopping Cart and “cash out” when you’re done
- File types available: AI, CDR, EPS, 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 32,000
- Navigation and layout: Uses tags to categorize files
- Account needed: No
- File types available: AI, CDR, DXF, 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: 258
- Navigation and layout: Free files grouped together; sorting by popularity, name, or file type
- Account needed: Yes
- File types available: EPS, SVG
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 21,000
- 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
Trotec
Trotec has a vested interest in getting you started in laser cutting – after all, they make the lasers! Each file is bundled into a project with explicit instructions on how to create it using a Trotec product. Even if you don’t have their brand of laser, learning what settings are best is always helpful, for the beginner or the old hand.
The files download quickly and easily and come complete with everything you need to get started.
- Number of free files: Almost 160
- Navigation and layout: Projects autoload as you scroll down like a Pinterest board
- Account needed: No
- File types available: CDR, PDF, and even XML laser printing parameters for most projects
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: Hundreds of various file types
- 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
Vecteezy
Unlike the other sites on this list, Vecteezy isn’t exactly a platform for laser cutting files. Instead, it’s a clearinghouse for EPS and AI files, which can be used on various laser cutters. Once you sign up (which can be done through Facebook, Google, or a Vecteezy account), you’ll have access to thousands of free files that you can add to your cart, as well as paid files that vary in price. Best of all, because it’s an e-commerce site, it has a robust set of categories that can quickly and easily get you what you’re looking for. Use this site if you’re looking for something unique and specific!
One thing to note: When you use free files, you’ll have to attribute Vecteezy somewhere on the piece. This requirement is waived when you purchase files through their Pro license program, which gives you a number of credits to use on the site for a monthly fee (~$14 per month, ~$110 for a year’s license).
- Number of free files: Thousands
- Navigation and layout: Easily navigable sections, with search features and tags
- Account needed: Yes, or login through Facebook or Google
- File types available: EPS, AI
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: Around 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
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
Boss Laser
There are many places where you can find laser cut files. Some laser companies even share projects and files on their websites. For example, US-based Boss Laser offers a varied selection organized into material and project categories.
You’ll find cool stuff like a chess and maze set, an infinity mirror, and even an acrylic hologram project. The other categories are also unique, with projects such as earrings, illuminated decorative panels, leather wallets, coats, and even a face shield.
- Number of free files: Over 50 amazing projects and files
- Navigation and layout: Super easy to use, projects separated by material type and other mixed projects
- Account needed: No
- File types available: DXF
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!