FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No questions match your search.
General & Getting Started
ImagR is a browser-based tool that automatically optimizes photos and graphics for laser engraving. The AI-powered image processing accomplishes in seconds what used to take 20+ minutes in Photoshop. You upload an image, select your target material, and ImagR handles all the complex adjustments – contrast, levels, dithering – to produce a file that's ready for your laser.
No. ImagR runs entirely in your browser – there's nothing to download or install. It works on Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and even tablets. Just open the website and start processing images.
ImagR works in all modern browsers that support WebGL, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If the application doesn't load properly, updating your browser to the latest version will almost always fix the issue.
Not for basic usage. You can process up to 3 images per day without creating an account or providing any personal information. If you need unlimited access, you'll need a subscription, which requires an account for login.
ImagR exports standard PNG files, which means it works with virtually any laser software. This includes LightBurn, LaserGRBL, xTool Creative Space, Glowforge, RDWorks, Epilog Job Manager, K40 Whisperer, and any other program that can import PNG images. If your software can open a PNG, it can use files from ImagR.
Modes & Tools
The three modes offer different levels of control to match your needs and experience level.
One Click is the fastest option, taking about 10 seconds. You upload your image, select a material, and the AI handles everything else automatically. It's perfect for beginners or when you need quick results without fussing over settings.
Easy Mode takes about a minute and gives you more control. You crop your image, select a material preset, and the AI processes your photo. After processing, you can fine-tune the result with sliders for brightness, contrast, exposure, gamma, sharpness and more. This is ideal when you want to adjust the final output before exporting.
Advanced Mode is for users who want complete control. You get access to over 100 filters and adjustments, can save and reuse custom workflows, and have unlimited undo/redo. There's no time limit – work at your own pace. This mode is designed for professionals and complex projects where every detail matters.
If you're new to laser engraving or just want the fastest path to a good result, start with One Click. If you need to crop your image or make basic adjustments first, use Easy Mode. If you want full creative control, need to fine-tune every parameter, or want to save workflows for repeated use, choose Advanced Mode. You can always switch between modes, so don't worry about choosing wrong.
The Toolset gives you access to all 100+ filters from Advanced Mode as individual, standalone tools. Instead of opening the full editor, you can quickly apply a single operation – like cropping an image, adjusting transparency, or inverting colors. It's convenient for simple tasks where you don't need the complete editing environment.
Supported Formats & Materials
ImagR accepts PNG, JPG, and WEBP images up to 50 MB in size. These formats cover virtually all photos and graphics you're likely to work with.
All processed images are exported as high-quality PNG files, optimized for your specific laser settings and target material. PNG is universally supported by laser software and preserves image quality without compression artifacts.
ImagR includes optimized presets for the most common engraving materials: Wood, Black Slate, Acrylic, Leather, Cork, Glass, Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel, White Tile, and White Tile with black paint. Each preset adjusts the image processing to match how that specific material responds to laser engraving, giving you the best possible results without manual tuning.
Technical Settings
DPI stands for "Dots Per Inch" and determines the resolution of your engraving. The default value of 254 DPI works well for most lasers and is a safe starting point.
A common misconception is that higher DPI always means better quality. In reality, your DPI should match your laser's actual spot size. Using a DPI that's too high doesn't add detail – it just increases processing time and can actually reduce contrast by overheating the material. The ideal DPI creates dots that just barely touch each other.
The proper way to determine your DPI is to measure your laser's actual spot size. First, make sure your mirrors are properly aligned so the beam hits the same spot in all corners. Then perform a ramp test to find the optimal focus height for your material. Fire a single test dot on a clean surface like acrylic and measure its diameter in millimeters. Finally, look up the corresponding DPI value in a scan gap table.
If that sounds complicated, there's an easier way: use the DPI Test tool built into ImagR. You'll find it in the Toolset or in Advanced Mode under "DPI Test". It guides you through the process step by step.
Dithering converts grayscale images into a pattern of black and white dots. Since most lasers can only fire at one power level during engraving, these dots create the illusion of different shades – more dots appear darker, fewer dots appear lighter. You typically set a single power level (for example 25%) and the pattern does the rest.
The alternative is grayscale mode, where the laser varies its power based on pixel brightness. Darker pixels get more power, lighter pixels get less. This requires a laser with PWM control – the ability to adjust power in real-time during engraving.
| Dithering | Grayscale | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Dot pattern | Smooth gradients |
| Setup | Simple (one power level) | Complex (min/max range) |
| Laser requirement | Any laser | PWM control required |
| Typical setting | e.g. 25% power | e.g. 14% min, 32% max |
There's one important exception: some laser software, like xTool Creative Space, applies its own dithering automatically. In that case, you should disable dithering in ImagR and export a grayscale image, letting the software handle the conversion.
For most users, leaving dithering enabled produces better, more predictable results.
Invert swaps the light and dark areas of your image. You need this for materials where engraving produces a lighter mark than the original surface – the opposite of what you'd expect. Common examples include transparent materials, black slate, and tiles with colored or painted surfaces. Without inverting, your image would appear as a negative on these materials.
Pricing & Subscriptions
Yes. The free version gives you full access to all features – AI-powered optimization, all material presets, all 100+ filters, full quality exports without watermarks, and the ability to save workflows. The only limitation is that you can process up to 3 images per day. This is enough to test everything and complete occasional projects without paying anything.
There are three plans, all with unlimited image processing:
| Plan | Price | Duration | Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $15 | 1 month | $15.00 |
| Hobby | $89 | 6 months | $14.83 |
| Pro | $119 | 1 year | $9.92 |
The Starter plan is good for a single project or trying out the full experience. Hobby is designed for makers who sell regularly. Pro is the best value and most popular choice for professionals
You simply revert to the free tier with a 3-images-per-day limit. You don't lose anything – your saved workflows remain intact and become available again immediately when you renew. There's no pressure to renew immediately; your work is safe.
Yes. If you upgrade, your remaining time is credited toward the new plan and you get immediate access. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep full access until then.
Yes, for 30 days. If you're not satisfied for any reason, send us an email and we'll refund you in full. No questions, no hassle.
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and PayPal. All payments are processed securely.
Account & Login
Use the login page with your email or username and password. Your ImagR account uses the same credentials as design-gecko.com, so if you've purchased there before, you already have an account.
No problem. Use the "Lost Password?" function at Our Login Page> to receive a reset link via email.
The "My Account" page shows your current subscription status, including when it expires. For billing changes, cancellations, or to view your invoice history, you'll be directed to the customer portal at design-gecko.com where you can manage everything.
Yes, anytime. When you cancel, you keep full access until the end of your paid period. There are no cancellation fees or penalties.
Use Cases
ImagR is popular for photo portraits – wedding gifts, memorial pieces, and pet portraits are especially common. Many users create signs and plaques for businesses, awards, or nameplates. Product personalization is another big category, including cutting boards, jewelry boxes, and phone cases. And there's a thriving community making art and home decor: wall art, coasters, ornaments, and similar items. Basically, if you're engraving photos or detailed graphics onto physical objects, ImagR can help.
Troubleshooting & Support
First, make sure your file is in a supported format (PNG, JPG, or WEBP) and under 50 MB. If the format and size are fine, try updating your browser to the latest version – this resolves most issues. ImagR requires WebGL, which is enabled by default in all modern browsers, but some older systems or browser configurations might have it disabled. A browser update almost always fixes this.
Start by double-checking that you've selected the correct material preset – using the wrong one is the most common cause of poor results. If your material creates lighter marks when engraved (like black slate or painted tiles), make sure "Invert" is enabled. For images that look too dark or too light, use Easy Mode to adjust brightness and contrast before processing. Finally, verify that your DPI setting matches your laser's spot size; a mismatched DPI can make results look muddy or overly harsh.
You can email us directly at [email protected] or use the contact form on this website. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Yes. Our YouTube channel has tutorials covering all the major features and common workflows. You can find it at youtube.com/@ImagR-Laser
Privacy & Security
Your images are processed securely and automatically deleted 15 minutes after upload. This deletion is permanent and irreversible. We never share your images or any personal data with third parties.
Yes. All connections to ImagR use SSL/TLS encryption, the same security standard used by banks and online stores. Your data is protected in transit.