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Snapmark

Snapmark is a feature that is only available for Glowforge Premium Subscribers.  It enables precision alignment to help you quickly and easily mass-customize items. Think pet tags, puzzle pieces, aluminum business cards, tap handles, or pencils!

Before you begin

The feature works by precisely aligning two different prints using Snapmark markers. In this tutorial, you'll see how you can print a jig with Snapmark markers, add Snapmarks to a design, and use the software to automatically align your design to the objects in your jig.

Snapmark button

Snapmark is a feature and is only enabled on  Glowforge Premium Subscribers. If Snapmark is enabled on your machine, you will find the Snapmark on the … menu on the toolbar of your workspace.

Download  this tempate  (right click on the link and click "Save link as" on Chrome or Firefox, or "Download linked file as" on Safari), make a copy, and open it in your design software. It has a copy of a pair of Snapmark markers in it, and is where you should start every Snapmark project. 

Note that each Snapmark need to be at exactly W0.332" x H0.405" (W8.437 mm x H10.279 mm). If they appear to be a different size in your design software, you can manually change their width and height.


Useful skills

It can be useful to lock Snapmarks into position using layers. To learn how to use layers in Inkscape, [click here]. To learn how to use layers in Adobe Illustrator, [click here]


Customize some pencils

For your first Snapmark print, follow the tutorial below to customize a batch of pencils and see how the feature works!

Customize your Pencils with Artwork

The tutorial below will show how you can customize a batch of pencils using Snapmark.

Download the tutorial template

  • For this tutorial, download the pencil jig template file we've prepared.
  • Add custom artwork
    • Add artwork you want to engrave inside the cutouts. In our case, this means adding text into the rectangles that will hold the pencils.
  • Add custom artwork step - snapmark
    • Save as an SVG
    • Save the file as an SVG and upload it to the Glowforge app.
  • Print the jig
  • Create the jig you'll use to hold your pencils in place.
  • Place jig material in the bed
  • Put your jig material in the bed. TIP: Choose material that's a similar thickness to the items you're customizing.
  • Put jig material in step
  • Print your jig

Before you hit print:

  • Set the Snapmarks to "Score"
  • Set the cutouts to "Cut"
  • Set the artwork to "Ignore"

Jig printing step

Hit "print"

When it's done printing, take the jig out of your Glowforge and remove any scrap.

remove Jig Step


Load the jig

  • Get your items ready to print.
  • Place items in the jig
  • Put the jig back in the center of the bed and place your items in the cutouts.

load the jig


Customize your items

Time to personalize your pencils!

Hit the "Snapmark" button

hit snapmark button

Let your Glowforge search

Your Glowforge will start searching for Snapmarks on the bed. After a few minutes, you should see the artwork moved to match the previously scored Snapmark locations.


Don't move your artwork

Do not move the artwork or material after this step, even if the image doesn't look right on your screen.

dont move artwork


Prepare for printing

Before you hit print:

  • Set your artwork to "Engrave"
  • Set the Snapmarks to "Ignore"
  • Set the jig cutouts to "Ignore"

Hit "print"

hit print

Make a custom jig design file

Follow these steps to create your own custom jig to hold objects in place when you engrave.


Open the Snapmark template

Download this Snapmark template and open it in your design software. Lock the Snapmarks in their own layer and make a new layer for the jig design. You can move them around later.

Measure your items

Measure the items you'll be customizing. (In our case, a set of pencils.)

Pencil and rulerr

Create a cutout

On a new layer, add in cutouts that will hold each item you plan to engrave, making sure the sizing is right so the item fits snugly.

Adjust snapmarks

Snapmarks should be parallel to each other and no more than 16" apart (at least 2" inside the perimeter of the printable area). You can move the pair of Snapmark markers closer or further apart, and up or down, so they fit around your artwork.

Snapmark pair

Place and lock your Snapmarks

Make sure not to rotate or resize the Snapmarks when you place them. Then, lock the Snapmark layer again.

Save the file

Useful tips

  • It's important that the Snapmarks in the design file you upload must be __kept at the exact height, width and stroke thickness__ as in the template (W0.332" x H0.405" or W8.437 mm x H10.279 mm). If you're unsure, re-download the template [here]
  • If you included multiple pairs of Snapmark markers in your design, Glowforge will look for the pair closest to the top when searching for a match.
  • There always needs to be at least two Snapmarks in the file that you upload and the final artwork you intend to engrave. It is important that you don't change this file between uploading it and running Snapmark.
  • We recommend keeping the Snapmark markers locked in a separate layer to prevent accidental edits.
  • If you'd like to change the artwork but not the items you're engraving, just edit the artwork layer of your file and re-upload the whole thing. As long as you don't modify the jig design in any way, the file will continue to work with the jig you already printed.
  • In order for your Glowforge to recognize them, your Snapmarks must be crisp and high contrast. If you're printing them on a dark material, consider putting down a piece of light masking tape first. Check to make sure no shadows are obscuring the Snapmarks.