Gravo Lab

Free Online Tools for Laser Engraving and Laser Cutting

Laser Engraving Image Converter, Laser Cut Box Generators & Jig Generator (SVG)

GravoLab is a free web platform built to make preparing files for laser engraving and laser cutting faster, easier, and more accessible. Instead of wasting time on complex settings and manual processing, you can prepare photos for engraving in seconds and generate real-scale SVG drawings ready for direct laser cutting.

Image Preparation for Laser Engraving: automatically prepare photos for engraving with clean contrast and better detail. Choose between four processing modes (Grayscale, Dithering, Halftone and Noise), start from ready-made presets for wood, glass and poster effects, and fine-tune the result with crop, resampling and a zoomable preview. Open Image Preparation.

Box Generators: generate real-scale SVG drawings for laser-cut boxes. Set inner or outer size, material thickness, lid options and adjustable dividers. Open Box Generator · Open Cylinder Box Generator.

Jig Generator: create laser engraving jigs with any number of openings in a grid. Set the opening size, spacing, edge distance and corner radius, then place your own images or SVG designs inside each opening and export a ready-to-use SVG file. Open Jig Generator.

The project is built from real-world practice, for people who actually work with laser machines and need a fast, intuitive and reliable tool. The core tools are and will remain free to use.

Quick Tips for Wood Laser Engraving

These practical wood laser engraving tips help you get darker engravings, cleaner details, and more consistent results. Use them when preparing photos and settings for engraving on plywood, hardwood, and other wooden surfaces.

  • Choose tight-grain wood for detailed engravings. Maple, beech, and birch usually engrave cleaner. Strong grain patterns can overpower fine photo details.
  • Sand before engraving for a smoother, more even tone. A light sand (fine grit) reduces blotchy burns and improves consistency across the surface.
  • Clean dust and oils before engraving. Dust, fingerprints, and resin can cause uneven marks. Wipe with a dry cloth/brush (or lightly with isopropyl alcohol).
  • Always run a small test engraving first. A quick 20–30 mm test saves material and helps you dial in power, speed, and contrast before the final piece.
  • Slower isn’t always better. Too much power or too slow speed can over-burn wood and blur details. Aim for crisp lines and controlled darkness.
  • For photo engraving: increase contrast and reduce midtones. Wood tends to turn midtones into “muddy gray.” Strong highlights and deep shadows usually produce better results.
  • Use low air assist for engraving (high air is for cutting). Strong air assist can cool the burn and blow away smoke/soot too aggressively, often making engravings lighter with less contrast. Use air assist off or very low—just enough to keep the lens clean.
  • Wood grain direction affects fine lines and small text. Thin lines parallel to the grain can disappear more easily. If possible, rotate the design to improve legibility.

Want more engraving settings and step-by-step guides? Check back soon — we’ll keep adding practical tips based on real laser workshop experience.

Last update

Recent improvements and new features on GravoLab.

  • Image Prep: much faster processing Oct 20, 2026 Image processing has been rebuilt from the ground up and is now many times faster, with live preview as you adjust settings. Try it
  • New modes: Dithering, Halftone and Noise Oct 20, 2026 Alongside Grayscale, you can now convert images with six dithering algorithms, dual halftone or line-art halftone, and a new Noise Texture mode for creative surface effects. Try it
  • Ready-made presets Oct 20, 2026 One-click starting points for photo engraving on wood, photo engraving on glass, and a poster effect. More presets are on the way. Try it
  • Crop, resample, zoom and undo/redo Oct 20, 2026 Crop and resize your image to the exact size and DPI you need (beta), with undo and redo. Scroll to zoom into the preview and check the real detail before downloading, or use the Inspect window in Noise mode. Try it
  • Improved Jig SVG export compatibility Oct 20, 2026 Downloaded jig files now open correctly in all major vector and laser software, with cleaner geometry and separate cut and engrave groups. Try it
  • Cylinder Box Generator New dedicated page for cylindrical box design. Try it
  • Box type chooser When opening Box Generator you can choose Square or Cylinder box.
  • Jig Generator (in progress) New jig designer with openings, spacing and image placement.
  • Homepage cards Updated tool cards and navigation layout.

FAQ

  • Does GravoLab export files at real scale (1:1)?
    Yes. The Box Generator exports an SVG drawing designed to be used at real size for laser cutting.
  • Can I generate finger-joint boxes with a lid and dividers?
    Yes. You can set material thickness, inner/outer size, add a lid, and control divider positions.
  • What is the best material thickness for laser cut boxes?
    Common choices are 3mm and 4mm plywood for small boxes, and 6mm for sturdier builds. Always run a small test cut first.
  • How do I prepare photos for laser engraving on wood?
    Increase contrast and reduce midtones, then test a small area. GravoLab Image Prep helps you get a cleaner engraving-ready result.
  • Is GravoLab free to use?
    Yes — the site is completely free.
  • Where can I start?
    Use Image Prep for engraving photos, or Box Generator to export a box SVG for cutting.