Export Problems

This page covers common problems you might encounter when exporting files or importing them into your laser software.

Font substitution warnings in CorelDRAW

Symptom: CorelDRAW shows a "Font Substitution" dialog when opening the exported file.

Cause: The export used "Live Text" mode, and the fonts used in CraftStage aren't installed on this machine.

How to fix:

Re-export using Curves mode. This converts all text to vector paths, eliminating font dependencies entirely. This is the recommended setting for production.
If you need live text, install the required fonts on the machine before opening the file.

Symptom: The text in the exported file doesn't match the proof images — different size, position, or appearance.

Possible causes:

Font metrics differ. If using live text mode and a different version of the font is installed, text may render at slightly different sizes.
SVG rendering differences. Different SVG viewers may render text slightly differently.

How to fix:

Use Curves mode for consistent results across all machines.
If you must use live text, make sure the exact same font files are installed on all machines.

Symptom: The SVG file doesn't open in CorelDRAW, or elements are missing or misplaced.

How to fix:

Make sure you're using a recent version of CorelDRAW (2020 or later recommended).
Try opening the SVG in a web browser first to verify the file is valid.
If CorelDRAW has trouble, try importing the SVG (File → Import) instead of opening it directly.
As a fallback, re-export as PDF and import the PDF into CorelDRAW.

Symptom: Cut and engrave colors in the export don't match what your laser software expects.

How to fix:

Check your machine profile's color settings. The cut color should match what your laser software expects for cutting (commonly #FF0000 red) and the engrave color for engraving (commonly #000000 black).
CraftStage always exports in RGB. If your workflow requires specific color values, update the machine profile to match.

Symptom: The export file is very large or generation takes an unusually long time.

Common causes:

Many items. A job with hundreds of items produces a large file, especially with curves mode.
Complex template. Templates with detailed background images increase file size.

How to fix:

For very large jobs, consider splitting into multiple exports.
Curves mode produces larger files than live text mode because each character becomes a vector path. If file size is critical and you can manage fonts, use live text mode.

Symptom: Items are arranged differently than expected on the sheet — wrong number per row, unexpected spacing.

How to fix:

Review your machine profile's sheet size, margins, and spacing settings.
The imposition engine uses a simple grid layout. Items per row = floor of (available width + spacing) / (item width + spacing). Check that your template dimensions and machine profile settings align.
Use the export preview to verify the layout before generating the final file.