Cleaning up a document.
Whilst working in Inkscape, your file may become filled with unnecessary information which can slow down the program and increase the risk on an error occurring. To make sure your document performs well, try to keep it at the smallest possible size.
Inkscape remembers a document object that has been previously formatted with filters, patterns, and gradients. These formats may still be stored in the document, so you can reapply them anytime you want, but these will increase its file size. By removing these formats, you can reduce the file size and decrease the chance of Inkscape crashing. If you know that the look of your artwork is final, and you are never going to need those filters or patterns anymore, you can get rid of them all in just one click. Just go to the File menu and click Clean Up Document.
Saving files for laser cutting.
Inkscape is the software you will be asked to open your file in if you are using our laser cutter. It is therefore advisable to make/open your file in Inkscape before coming in for your laser cutter booking.
For advice on designing your file for laser cutting (using Inkscape), please see our laser cutting knowledge base.
For exporting an Inkscape file for laser cutting, save as an Inkscape SVG. An Inkscape SVG is better for opening an editing in Inkscape than a plain SVG.
Saving files for print.
Inkscape lacks full support for CMYK. Instead, Inkscape files contain RGB colours. For printing, best results are usually obtained by sending desktop printers RGB data and letting them convert to CMYK.
To make files ready for a professional CMYK print project, there are two main approaches:
- Option 1: Allow the printer to convert RGB files to the closest CMYK colours, which should work well with most modern printers. Note that you may want to get colour accurate proofs from the printer, beforehand.
- Option 2: Convert RGB Inkscape artwork to CMYK in another application such Adobe Acrobat (using the Convert Colours feature).
