PNG to PLT Converter
Convert PNG or JPG images to PLT vector files. Free, unlimited, and processed in your browser.
Drag & drop your files here
or click to browse — select as many as you like
PNG, JPG, BMP or GIF · Max 50MB
How to use PNG to PLT Converter
- 1
Drop in one image or a whole batch of PNG/JPG files at once.
- 2
Check the preview. The black/white threshold is detected automatically from each image's own histogram — dark pixels become vector paths, light pixels are dropped — so there is nothing to set.
- 3
Convert. Each image is traced to closed contours, auto-cropped to its content, with its aspect ratio preserved exactly.
- 4
Download each PLT (named to match its source) or grab the whole batch as a ZIP, then load it into your machine's software, which sets the physical size when the file is loaded.
About the PNG to PLT Converter
PLT files hold vector paths — the pen-up, pen-down instructions that cutting, plotting and engraving machines follow. If your artwork started life as a PNG or JPG, it has to be traced into those paths before a machine can use it. This tool does that conversion in your browser: drop in one image or hundreds and download the PLT files individually or as a ZIP. The black/white threshold each image is traced at is worked out from that image's own histogram, so a mixed batch converts consistently without anyone having to pick a number. The tracer follows the exact pixel boundary of your artwork, so straight edges stay straight and square shapes like barcodes and QR codes keep their geometry. Nothing is uploaded — the conversion runs entirely on your own machine, so there's no queue, no sign-up and no cap on how many files you convert. The same tracer also outputs DXF (for CNC and CAD) and SVG (for web and design) if you need a different format.
Things to know
Tracing works from shapes and edges, not photos
Logos, text, line art and codes vectorise cleanly because they have clear boundaries between ink and background. Photographs and heavily shaded images are continuous tone with no clean edges to follow, so they don't trace usefully — start from high-contrast artwork.
The ink/background split is worked out for you
Every pixel darker than a black/white threshold is treated as ink and traced; lighter pixels are dropped. That threshold is computed from each image's own histogram, so every file in a batch gets the split that suits it rather than one shared guess. The preview shows exactly what will be traced, and an Advanced control lets you set the value by hand for an unusual source.
Output is traced outlines, not a recreation or a fill
A PLT file describes pen moves — pen-up to jump, pen-down to draw a line — so every shape becomes a closed outline contour, not a solid fill and not a recreation of an original vector file. There are no curves, since the format has none; all edges are straight-line segments.
Axis-aligned shapes keep their geometry
The tracer follows the exact pixel boundary, so straight edges stay straight and square shapes — barcode bars, QR modules, square corners — keep their proportions. This was verified against a real reference file, where the codes in the regenerated output still decoded correctly.
Physical size is set when the file is loaded
PLT preserves your artwork's aspect ratio exactly and scales the longest side to a standard value, but the real dimensions are set by your machine's software when the file is loaded. The absolute numbers in the file don't fix the finished size.
Check the result before a full run, and nothing leaves your browser
Convert one file and run it through your machine's software — or a quick test on material — before committing a large batch, so you can confirm detail, geometry and (for codes) scannability. Every image is traced locally with JavaScript; nothing is uploaded, so there's no per-file cost and no limit.
Why Criply
Private by default
Client-side tools never upload your files. Server-side tools delete them immediately after processing.
No account needed
Just upload and go. No email, no password, no account — ever.
Works on any device
Fully browser-based. Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile with nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
A PLT file is plain-text HPGL — a vector format of pen-up/pen-down move commands. Cutting, plotting and engraving machines of many kinds read it: vinyl and sign cutters, pen plotters, CNC routers and engraving machines. This tool outputs PLT that such software reads directly.
Related tools
Convert PNG, JPG, BMP, or GIF images into PLT (HPGL) vector files — the pen-up/pen-down paths that cutting, plotting and engraving machines follow, from vinyl and sign cutters to pen plotters, CNC routers and engravers. Batch-convert hundreds at once with the black/white threshold detected automatically for each image, and download individually or as a ZIP. Everything runs in your browser: no signup, no upload, no cap on how many files you convert.