SVG vs EPS vs PDF vs DXF: Which Vector Format Do You Need?

Use SVG for the web and most cutting machines, EPS or PDF for professional print and sign shops, and DXF for CNC, laser and CAD work. All four can hold vector shapes that scale without losing sharpness, but each was built for a different job and is supported by different software.

If you are not sure which one to send, ask the person receiving the file. If you cannot ask, a vector PDF with outlined text is the safest general-purpose choice for print, and SVG is the safest for screens and hobby cutters.

Raster vs vector in 30 seconds

Raster files (PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP) are grids of pixels. They look fine at their original size and get blurry or jagged when enlarged. Vector files describe shapes with points and curves, so they stay sharp at any scale and are easy to recolor, resize and cut.

The formats in this article are containers. Any of them can hold vector shapes, but any of them can also hold a bitmap picture. A PNG placed inside an EPS or PDF is not vector, so always check that the file contains real paths. Our guide on converting PNG to SVG shows how to test for that.

The four formats at a glance

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

SVG is an open, text-based format. It is the standard for vector graphics on the web, supported by browsers and by most design and cutting tools. It handles shapes, colors, gradients and text, and file sizes are usually small.

Best for: websites, apps, Cricut and many other cutting machines, laser software, and sharing artwork between design programs.

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)

EPS is an older, widely accepted format from the print world. Many printers, sign shops and vinyl plotters have used it for years, and a lot of professional software can still open it. It does not support transparency in the modern sense and is slowly being replaced by PDF, but some workflows still ask for it by name.

Best for: print vendors and sign shops who request it, legacy workflows, and sending logos to suppliers.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

PDF is a container that can hold vector shapes, bitmaps, fonts and multiple pages. A vector PDF keeps its sharpness, and the format is accepted nearly everywhere in modern print production. It can store either RGB or CMYK colors.

Best for: print-ready artwork, proofs, sending logos to clients and printers, and some laser software.

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)

DXF comes from the CAD world. It stores lines, arcs and polylines, which makes it ideal for machines that follow a path. It is usually single-color and carries geometry rather than rich styling.

Best for: CNC routers, laser cutters, plasma and waterjet, plotters, and importing into CAD software.

What about AI?

AI is Adobe Illustrator's native format. It keeps layers, effects and editing features, which is useful while you work. It is less universal outside the Adobe ecosystem, so for sharing, most people export to SVG, PDF or EPS.

Software compatibility table

Support depends on the version and edition you use, so treat this as a general guide and test with your own program.

Program	SVG	EPS	PDF	DXF	AI
Adobe Illustrator	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Native
CorelDRAW	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inkscape	Native	Yes (may need Ghostscript)	Yes (import)	Yes	Yes (import)
Canva	Yes (upload)	No	Yes (as a document)	No	No
Figma	Yes	No	No	No	Limited
Silhouette Studio	Designer Edition or higher	Check your edition	Check your edition	Yes, including the free Basic Edition	No
Cricut Design Space	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
LightBurn	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
AutoCAD	No (convert first)	No	Limited (underlay)	Native	No

Which format for which job

Sending artwork to a commercial printer

Ask for their spec sheet. Most accept a vector PDF, and some still prefer EPS. Convert text to outlines, include bleed if requested, and make sure the color mode matches what they need.

Sign shops and vinyl plotters

Sign makers often work in CorelDRAW or similar software, and EPS, PDF and SVG are all commonly accepted. If the shop uses a cutter driven by CAD-style tools, DXF is another option. If you are preparing a logo for a shop, our guide on how to vectorize a logo covers the cleanup steps that save them time.

Websites and apps

Use SVG. It is lightweight, scalable and can be styled or animated with code. Remember to export only real shapes, not embedded bitmaps.

Cricut, Silhouette and other craft cutters

Cricut Design Space accepts SVG and DXF uploads. Silhouette Studio's free Basic Edition imports DXF, while SVG import requires Designer Edition or a higher tier. If you want step-by-step prep advice, read how to turn an image into a cut file or visit our page on SVG files for Cricut.

Laser engraving, CNC and CAD

DXF and SVG are the most common choices. DXF is the standard for CNC and CAD tools, and SVG is widely supported by laser software. Keep contours closed and separate cut lines from engrave areas. See our page on vector files for laser engraving for more detail.

Fonts: outline your text before sending

If your artwork uses live text and the receiver does not have the same font installed, their software will substitute another one and the layout will change. Converting text to outlines (called Create Outlines in Illustrator, Convert to Curves in CorelDRAW, or Object to Path in Inkscape) turns each letter into a vector shape.

Keep an editable copy with live text for yourself, and send the outlined version to printers, cutters and lasers. Note that outlined text can no longer be edited as text, and some machines need outlines anyway because they only follow paths.

CMYK vs RGB: the basics

• RGB (red, green, blue) is for screens. Websites, apps and social media use it.
• CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) is the standard model for process printing. Printers convert artwork to it, and some bright screen colors cannot be matched exactly in print.
• Spot colors are specific premixed inks, often used for logos and screen printing. If color accuracy matters, ask your printer which they need.

SVG is normally RGB. PDF and EPS can carry CMYK or spot colors depending on how they were exported. DXF is generally used for geometry and does not rely on color the way print formats do.

Common format mistakes

• Sending a bitmap in a vector wrapper. If the SVG, EPS or PDF only contains an embedded PNG, the printer or cutter will get pixels. Open the file and confirm you can select individual paths.
• Exporting DXF with tiny segments. Overly complex curves can become many short lines, which makes cuts look faceted. Simplify the artwork first.
• Forgetting units and scale. Some programs assume different units when importing. Check the dimensions after opening the file, especially in CNC and laser software.
• Leaving strokes unexpanded. A line with a thick stroke may cut as a thin line. Convert strokes to filled outlines when width matters.

Getting all formats from one image

If you only have a PNG or JPG, you first need a real vector version. With Vetorly, one credit gives you the same image in SVG, PDF, EPS, DXF and high-res PNG, so you can hand each person the format they asked for without paying again. The preview is free and watermarked, so you can check it before you buy. Prices start at $4.99 for one image, and bundles of 10, 50 or 100 images cost $14.99, $39.99 and $59.99. Credits never expire and there is no subscription.

Quick decision guide

• Web or app: SVG.
• Commercial print: vector PDF, or EPS if the printer asks.
• Sign shop or vinyl: EPS, PDF or SVG; ask which they prefer.
• Cricut: SVG or DXF.
• Silhouette (Basic Edition): DXF.
• Laser, CNC, CAD: DXF or SVG.
• Editing in Illustrator: AI while you work, then export.