How to Use LightBurn with Epilog Laser: The Ultimate Setup Guide
Using LightBurn with your Epilog Laser
While Epilog systems do not currently support direct “Plug-and-Play” printing from LightBurn, you can easily use LightBurn as your primary design software by routing your projects through the Epilog Laser Dashboard.
Following this specific setup ensures your dimensions, positioning, and layers stay perfectly intact from design to finished product.
Step 1: Create a Virtual Device in LightBurn
Since we aren’t connecting directly via USB or Ethernet for the design phase, we need to create a “No Machine” device to act as a template.
Open Devices in LightBurn and select Create Manually
Choose No Machine as the device type.
Name your device: (e.g., “Epilog Fusion Ascent 12”).
Set Dimensions: Enter the bed size of your specific machine (e.g., 24″ x 12″).
Set Origin: Choose Rear Left as the origin point.
Step 2: Configure the Printer Driver (The “Reverse” Trick)
This is the most critical technical step to ensure your orientation matches the laser bed.
Open your Printer Settings on your computer and select the Epilog Engraver printing preferences.
Navigate to Advanced > Paper Size > PostScript Custom Page Size.
The Reversal: You must input the dimensions opposite to your table size.
For a 24″ (W) x 12″ (H) table, enter Width: 12 in and Height: 24 in.
Set the main print preference to Landscape.
Why this works: Reversing the dimensions in the PostScript settings while keeping the main driver in Landscape is the “secret sauce” that allows LightBurn’s coordinates to map 1:1 with the Epilog Dashboard.
Step 3: Configure the Epilog Job Manager
To ensure your LightBurn layers come over as separate processes (cutting vs. engraving), you need to adjust your Job Manager settings.
Go to Settings in the Epilog Job Manager.
Set the Dashboard to “Split by Color and Hairlines“.
This ensures that a blue line in LightBurn remains a “Vector Cut” and black text remains an “Engrave” once it hits the Epilog Dashboard.
Step 4: Create a Positioning Template (T1 Layer)
To ensure every design is perfectly aligned with the 0,0 home position, create a “Tool Frame.”
In LightBurn, draw a rectangle the exact size of your bed (e.g., 24″ x 12″).
Set the position to 0,0.
Change the layer color to Orange (T1).
T1 is a “Tool Layer,” meaning it acts as a guide in LightBurn but will not be sent to the laser as a printable line.
Pro-Tip: Save as a Template Save this file and use this as your starting point for every new project to save yourself from repeating the setup steps.
Step 5: Printing from LightBurn to the Dashboard
When your design is ready, follow these steps to send it to the laser:
Go to File > Print.
Ensure “Keep Colors” is selected.
Select Epilog Engraver as your printer and click Print.
The Epilog Dashboard will automatically open with your graphics in the exact position you placed them in LightBurn.
Epilog Laser can support a variety of design packages such as CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, LightBurn, etc. LightBurn’s design suite was purpose built for laser systems. With this workaround you get the best of both worlds: LightBurn’s design suite and Epilog’s industry-leading hardware performance.
While Epilog systems do not currently have a native connection within LightBurn (meaning you cannot hit “Start” in LightBurn), LightBurn can be used as the graphic design package and then laser parameters are set via the Epilog Software Suite. By using the “Virtual Device” setup, you can perform your design, layering, and pathing work in LightBurn and then “Print” the file directly to the Epilog Dashboard.
Yes. Epilog is actively working with LightBurn. We don’t have a specific announcement regarding native LightBurn integration at this time, but it is coming…
