CorelDRAW Export Settings for Plotter Cutters

Exporting vector designs from CorelDRAW to a vinyl or plotter cutter requires specific file formats, line weights, and geometry settings to ensure clean, accurate cuts. This guide outlines the essential pre-export artwork adjustments, the most reliable file formats (such as PLT, DXF, and EPS), and the exact export dialog configurations required to prevent double-cutting, missing paths, or scaling errors on your cutting plotter.

Artwork Preparation Before Exporting

Plotter cutters follow vector paths via coordinate instructions (X and Y axes). Before exporting any file, your vector artwork must meet these technical requirements:

  • Set Line Thickness to Hairline: Change all cut outlines to Hairline (or 0.001 inches / 0.076 mm). Plotter software uses hairlines as cut paths; thicker strokes may be interpreted as dual paths (cutting both the inside and outside of the line).
  • Remove Fills: Eliminate all fill colors from objects unless your cutting software uses fills for print-and-cut workflows. Pure cut jobs should strictly consist of closed or open outlines.
  • Convert Text to Curves: Select all text and press Ctrl + Q (Convert to Curves). This prevents missing font errors or path rendering issues in the cutter software.
  • Weld Overlapping Paths: If you have intersecting shapes or overlapping cursive text, select them and click Weld on the Property Bar. Unwelded vectors will cause the blade to cut through intersecting letters.
  • Check for Duplicate Lines: Ensure no identical vectors sit on top of each other. Overlapping duplicate lines cause the blade to re-cut the same path, which damages the vinyl and the cutting strip.

Best Export File Formats and Settings

The ideal export format depends on your cutter brand and cutting software (e.g., Graphtec Cutting Master, Roland CutStudio, SignMaster, or generic HPGL controllers).

1. HPGL (.PLT) – Best for Native Plotter Communication

HPGL is the native language for most flatbed and roll-fed plotters.

  • Go to: File > Export (Ctrl + E), choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File, and check Selected only.
  • Plotter Units: Ensure the resolution matches your machine (the industry standard is typically 1016 plotter units per inch).
  • Pen Settings: Ensure your cut outlines are assigned to Pen 1 with default pressure and speed (unless mapped specifically by color).
  • Scale: Set to 1:1 (100%) to avoid resizing issues.

2. AutoCAD DXF (.DXF) – Best for CNC and Industrial Cutters

DXF is widely compatible with engineering-grade plotters and flatbed cutters.

  • Go to: File > Export, choose DXF - AutoCAD.
  • Export Version: Select AutoCAD 2000 or AutoCAD R14 for the highest compatibility across older cutter RIPs.
  • Units: Match your CorelDRAW document units (Inches or Millimeters).
  • Export Text As: Curves.
  • Curves: Choose Polylines if your software struggles with Bézier curves, or Splines if your plotter supports smooth curve interpolation.

3. Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS) – Best for Signmaking Software

EPS retains vector fidelity and is the preferred import format for software like FlexiSIGN and Roland CutStudio.

  • Go to: File > Export, choose EPS - Encapsulated PostScript.
  • Compatibility: PostScript Level 2 or Level 3.
  • Text Export: Choose Curves.
  • Color Mode: Native or RGB (avoid CMYK to eliminate profile-shift errors).
  • TIFF Header / Preview: None or 8-bit (setting to "None" reduces file size and prevents software from mistaking the preview bitmap for cut paths).

4. Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG) – Best for Desktop Cutters

Ideal for modern desktop cutters such as Cricut, Silhouette, or vinyl software running on web drivers.

  • Go to: File > Export, choose SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics.
  • Styling: Choose Presentation Attributes.
  • Compatibility: SVG 1.1.
  • Units: Ensure dimensions are set to absolute units (Inches or Millimeters) rather than percentages to preserve real-world size.
  1. Select only the objects intended for cutting.
  2. Press Ctrl + E to open the Export dialog.
  3. Check the Selected only box to avoid sending hidden layers or off-page artboard elements to the cutter.
  4. Select your cutter-compatible format (PLT, DXF, or EPS).
  5. Click Export and review the format-specific settings pop-up, ensuring units are set to 1:1 scale and all text is rendered as curves.
  6. Import the exported file into your cutting utility and verify the blade path preview before sending the job to the machine.