How to create a laser-ready design in Adobe Illustrator

Alternatives to CorelDraw®

Again and again we are asked the question: “Do I really need to work with CorelDraw? I’d much rather edit my designs in another program, such as Adobe Illustrator.”

The answer? No problem. Use this guide to determine the optimal settings.

Guide to the Optimal Settings

Select the following settings right at the beginning to make sure that the laser can interpret the graphics information correctly.

1) RGB Color Space

2) Cutting Line Red and Fine

3) Continue to the Print Dialogue

Now your design is ready, and you want to send it to the laser. Just like CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator also communicates with the laser via the printing dialog.

Click on “Print”, and the Adobe Illustrator print window opens. In section “Output," make sure that RGB has been selected as the color space. Then click on “Setup," and the classic print dialog opens.

4) Select Trotec Engraver & Enter Laser Parameters

Now select the Trotec Engraver as your printer and in “Preferences” adjust the laser settings. When you are finished, click “Print," and you will be automatically redirected to Trotec's JobControl.

5) JobControl

In the JobControl window, you will see the job plate, select your current job (or older jobs if so desired) from the menu on the right and place it anywhere on the plate.

More information on using Trotec's JobControl softwarel